2025 C-Suite Awards
SMALL PRIVATE COMPANY: Chris Integlia
Pariseault Builders Inc. | Chief operating officer
CHRIS INTEGLIA FEELS he’s more than the bullet points on his resume. Much more.
He’s a chief operating officer, yes, but he’s also a compassionate leader who brings strategic, long-term thinking to his work. At Pariseault Builders Inc., a Cranston-based family-owned construction firm, Integlia has strengthened the company’s structure, operations and culture, solidifying its foundation for future growth.
Integlia spent more than 20 years in the manufacturing industry before joining Pariseault in 2021. He had crossed paths with the company while working on a building expansion project.
When the position at Pariseault came up, Integlia jumped at the opportunity to work with people he already knew he worked well with and the challenge of seeing if he could bring the manufacturing process mindset into construction. His ability to set clear objectives, execute long-term planning and foster a culture of continuous improvement is now helping to position Pariseault for long-term success.
Seth LaPlante, Pariseault’s business unit director, says Integlia has introduced a number of processes and strategic initiatives that have helped deliver projects more consistently and be visible, as well as control risk in all its forms. Plus, LaPlante says, Integlia brings with him a theme of iterative and continuous improvement through open and honest two-way dialogue.
“Whether delivering difficult feedback or negotiating challenging contract terms, Chris always seems to find common ground among contentious conversation, order through chaotic data, and messages through clear and genuine communication,” LaPlante said.
As COO, Integlia spearheaded a sector-based business approach at Pariseault, encouraging leadership to treat each sector – health care, academic, manufacturing and life sciences, residential and commercial – as an individual business with dedicated resources, client strategies and growth plans. This company model enhanced accountability, client relationships and operational efficiency.
Recognizing the importance of operational efficiency, Integlia refined Pariseault’s internal project accounting processes to increase financial transparency and accountability. He also helped implement companywide standard operating procedures, standardizing project execution, reducing inefficiencies and improving project delivery timelines.
“I thrive in chaos,” Integlia said. “When I see chaos, it intrigues me to learn why it’s chaotic, and then I get euphoria for getting in place of chaos an efficient, sustainable process.”
Integlia also has been a driving force behind Pariseault’s technological advancement. He has led multiple efforts at the company to integrate digital tools and technologies into project delivery, communication and resource allocation.
He also combined technology with strategic initiatives, transforming Pariseault’s attention to safety and quality. Digital inspections, streamlined reporting and custom templates now give Pariseault data to preempt risks and standardize results across all projects.
“I focus each day on figuring out how to make small improvements and let the bigger goals play themselves out,” Integlia said. “My focus is on the next three minutes at a time.”
Beyond improving company processes, Integlia builds up the people around him. He’s prioritized employee development and engagement by implementing a performance-based incentive program to align individual goals with company objectives, nurturing a culture of accountability and career growth.
Integlia also created a professional development tier structure featuring mentorship-clarified employee advancement paths. That helped boost Pariseault’s employee retention and aided in workforce expansion.
Within the community, Integlia and his wife, Cathi, continuously support the Glimmer of Hope Foundation, inspired by their late daughter Ella Catherine Integlia’s battle with leukemia. When Ella was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of 11, she wrote to American Girl, asking them to create a bald doll to help girls like her feel confident, strong and courageous.
Through the foundation, the couple provides resources, raises awareness and offers encouragement to families navigating similar challenges.
“For all that I’ve contributed to and done and failed to do, in the end I think my parents would still be proud of me and that’s more important to me than all I’ve done that makes it onto a resume,” Integlia said.
