The following biographical sketch was compiled at the time of induction into the Academy in 2022.

​

M. James Gorrie witnessed Brasfield & Gorrie evolve from humble beginnings as a small local general contracting firm founded by his father, Miller, to one of the largest privately held construction companies in the nation. He learned the business from the ground up, working at the equipment shop and in the field during summers in high school and college. After graduating from Auburn University in 1984 with a degree in building science, he began working full-time at Brasfield & Gorrie.

Gorrie served in many roles for the company before stepping into leadership as vice president and manager of the Commercial Division. In 1995, Gorrie became president of the company. In 2010, he became CEO. With thirteen regional offices, more than 3,500 employees, and 2021 revenues of $4.2 billion, no construction company in Alabama, and few construction companies in the nation, have enjoyed such exponential growth (without a single acquisition). 

Brasfield & Gorrie’s recent successes are a testament to Gorrie’s leadership. Through hundreds of projects across the state, Brasfield & Gorrie has contributed to the employment of thousands of Alabamians. Most recently, the company served as the Official Construction Partner of the World Games 2022, an event that highlighted Brasfield & Gorrie projects like the BJCC Legacy Arena, City Walk BHAM, and the BJCC Protective Stadium.

Beyond the company, Gorrie is active in the construction industry and business community. For decades, he has been involved in Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) as well as Associated General Contractors. He previously served as director for the Birmingham Construction Industry Authority and the Auburn University Construction Fund. In 2014, he was honored by ABC Alabama with a Cornerstone Award for lifetime achievement in the industry. Gorrie has been integral in promoting economic development in the state as director for the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and the Birmingham Business Alliance, where he served as chairman in 2020. He also currently serves on the boards for ProAssurance Corporation and the Newcomen Society of Alabama and on the local board of Synovus. Gorrie formerly served on the board for Energen Corporation.

Gorrie’s presence in the local community has been long-standing and wide-ranging. He serves on the Salvation Army’s local and national boards and on the board of the Alys Stephens Center for the Performing Arts. His past board service includes St. Vincent’s Hospital, the St. Vincent Foundation, the Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation, and the Eyesight Foundation of Alabama. Gorrie currently serves as chairman of the board of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club’s Quarterbacking Children’s Health Foundation. He is actively involved in the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, Leadership Birmingham, Leadership Alabama, and United Way of Central Alabama. He is a member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent, where he formerly served as a senior warden. Gorrie is a member of the United Way Tocqueville Society and received the Tocqueville Award in 2013. He is also a recipient of the Salvation Army William Booth Award. 

Gorrie has selflessly promoted the Birmingham community and the state of Alabama over the course of his career. He continues to give his time, talent, and resources to numerous organizations in pursuit of making our communities better. 

Most proudly, Gorrie and his wife, Alison, have two children, Mills and Alie B., daughter-in-law, Megan, and two grandchildren, Miller and James.