- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: RIP - Jim Bernhard
Posted on 11/16/25 at 3:06 pm to Penrod
Posted on 11/16/25 at 3:06 pm to Penrod
quote:
He was abrasive
Hahaha? Did a quick search and this was at the top of the list…
quote:
Anyone over 35 knows someone who worked at Shaw. And every single one of those people will tell you what a piece of shite Jim is.
I’m starting to think the first few posters aren’t upset about his departure, they’re just seeeking confirmation.
0
Posted on 11/16/25 at 3:07 pm to Penrod
quote:
But he was effective at taking over struggling companies and turning them around.
Was he actually turning them around or just doing the PE thing and gutting them till they looked good in the books then selling for profit?
Posted on 11/16/25 at 3:13 pm to wadewilson
quote:
Was he actually turning them around or just doing the PE thing and gutting them till they looked good in the books then selling for profit?
No. He was turning them around. Jim knew how to drive lazy management. I had a fairly close look at how he operated because he tried to buy our company. We were not a cultural fit. We did due diligence on his past acquisitions and pulled the plug on negotiations. I did not like him, but I will assure you that he was a smart, savvy businessman. He asked questions about our business that we hadn’t thought to ask ourselves. Very impressive instincts. He had a great team too.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 3:19 pm to Giantkiller
Shaw bankrupted CB&I, go down the rabbit hole.
Shaw sold a pig in a poke.
Jim’s BO reads like a rags to riches life but his dad was dialed into BR capital politics.
His brother is on his last legs also, another huge asshoe.
Shaw sold a pig in a poke.
Jim’s BO reads like a rags to riches life but his dad was dialed into BR capital politics.
His brother is on his last legs also, another huge asshoe.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 3:30 pm to lsuconnman
I worked for one of his companies in the early 90s. He was one of the most arrogant, aloof assholes you’d ever meet. Would walk through an office and absolutely ignore you, even if you simply gave him a morning salutation. Might’ve been a shrewd businessman, undoubtedly successful, but also, undoubtedly, an arrogant MFr whose lack of simple courtesy for others left me with utter disdain.
RIP, I’m sure someone loved you. But I won’t be going to the wake. lol.
RIP, I’m sure someone loved you. But I won’t be going to the wake. lol.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 3:33 pm to Penrod
quote:
. He asked questions about our business that we hadn’t thought to ask ourselves. Very impressive instincts. He had a great team too.
Similar to my few encounters with him and the stories I heard 2nd hand. He expected his leaders to be fully knowledgeable of their area of responsibility. He was not a micro manager. He surrounded himself with strong people in leadership roles, but demanded success.
I one of my dealings in a work environment he walked up to me and before any social pleasantries he asked me a direct “why are we doing this” question. When I had a good answer, he said “OK” and kept walking.
But he was a different person in non-work environments. He was very down to earth, at least in my personal experience.
He had great success with Shaw, and then taking over his family’s 100+ year old company offer his Shaw days and acquiring various other companies to compliment his new vision, he quickly built another company up to the largest EaaS company before selling it to an investment firm. Guy had vision.
I pray for condolences for his family.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 3:55 pm to Chastains
quote:
Probably top 5 richest people that live in Louisiana.
Ummmmm…..
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:03 pm to Marshhen
It seemed like every thing he touch turned to gold.
One of the companies he recently owned was Bernhard MCC. They are doing very well and go by another's name now. He sold that to a PE group.
He started a pipe fabrication business about 8 years ago that does well.
One of the companies he recently owned was Bernhard MCC. They are doing very well and go by another's name now. He sold that to a PE group.
He started a pipe fabrication business about 8 years ago that does well.
This post was edited on 11/16/25 at 4:47 pm
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:07 pm to notiger1997
BMC was his family business, he didn’t build it his father did. Boot strapping my arse 
Lemoine employees despise him.
Lemoine employees despise him.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:10 pm to FizzyPop
quote:
Wasn't he a huge donor of both Slick Willy and Killary?
Yep. I remember he played golf at ccl with bill clinton for a fundraiser for Hillary in 2008.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:12 pm to topdollarbill
frick this guy. I don’t care how much money you have. Everyone can be a decent human being.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:13 pm to bdavids09
Is he the one doing delta utilities?
I have heard some stories about him and some say he’s the best leader they’ve met but their stories don’t exactly back that up.
Interesting fella.
I have heard some stories about him and some say he’s the best leader they’ve met but their stories don’t exactly back that up.
Interesting fella.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:15 pm to FizzyPop
quote:
Wasn't he a huge donor of both Slick Willy and Killary?
I know he hounded people in CCLA for donations to the DNC.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:23 pm to RougeDawg
He installed his daughter in law as the leader of the La d party. After massive election losses she was deposed.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:25 pm to KemoSabe65
Hung out with his son in high school. Jim was kind of an a-hole but I used to love raiding his liquor cabinet. RIP.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:29 pm to Trout Bandit
Coaching changes board
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:48 pm to KemoSabe65
quote:
BMC was his family business, he didn’t build it his father did. Boot strapping my arse
Actually it was his grandfather’s business and his father was only a 25% owner along with his two brothers and a sister. After the grandfather died Jim’s father opened a Lafayette branch of a Baton Rouge based company. Bill and Barry’s father died and they sold their share and opened Bernhard Brothers. Mr. Charlie ran the Baton Rouge business and he was a very smart man. His son Bob now has Bob Bernhard Mechanical.
Jim pretty much built both Shaw and the new business by acquisition. That was his business model pretty much.
Posted on 11/16/25 at 4:53 pm to Martini
Actually it was his grandfather’s business and his father was only a 25% owner along with his two brothers and a sister. After the grandfather died Jim’s father opened a Lafayette branch of a Baton Rouge based company. Bill and Barry’s father died and they sold their share and opened Bernhard Brothers. Mr. Charlie ran the Baton Rouge business and he was a very smart man. His son Bob now has Bob Bernhard Mechanical. Jim pretty much built both Shaw and the new business by acquisition. That was his business model pretty much.
This is what I heard as well. Only difference is Jim’s brother was the 3rd generation president of Bernhard Mechanical and after Jim’s no compete with Shaw expired, he infused his money in with his brother and they acquired a number of other mechanical companies, an electrical company, and an energy engineering company to build he next business idea. He then sought a private equity buyer and sold it.
This is what I heard as well. Only difference is Jim’s brother was the 3rd generation president of Bernhard Mechanical and after Jim’s no compete with Shaw expired, he infused his money in with his brother and they acquired a number of other mechanical companies, an electrical company, and an energy engineering company to build he next business idea. He then sought a private equity buyer and sold it.
This post was edited on 11/16/25 at 4:55 pm
Posted on 11/16/25 at 5:02 pm to tigeraddict
Didn’t he just sell his portion of Brown and Root?
Posted on 11/16/25 at 5:05 pm to Trout Bandit
Hung out with his daughter some in college
She was kinda wild but nice girl
She was kinda wild but nice girl
This post was edited on 11/16/25 at 5:05 pm
Page 2 of 8
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News