In this episode of People-First Builders, Fletcher Wimbush sits down with Carrie Stokes, CEO and President of Barge Design Solutions, to explore what it truly means to build a people-first engineering firm.

Carrie's journey—from student intern to becoming the first woman to lead a 70-year-old, employee-owned company—is a powerful example of long-term growth, intentional leadership, and investing in people. With nearly three decades in the architecture and engineering industry, she shares how Barge is redefining career paths, leadership development, and talent retention in a highly competitive market.

They dive into how creating flexible career tracks—where engineers can grow without being forced into management—helps retain top talent and build stronger teams. Carrie also breaks down how employee ownership, internal mobility, and leadership transparency are shaping a culture where people stay, grow, and thrive.

If you're a leader navigating the "war for talent" or looking to build a company where people actually want to stay, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why forcing engineers into management is a mistake
• How to create multiple career paths that retain top talent
• The role of employee ownership in engagement and performance
• Why internal mobility ("climbing the rock wall") drives long-term growth
• How leadership transparency builds future executives