{"id":166846,"date":"2026-02-24T12:16:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T12:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/166846\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T12:16:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T12:16:06","slug":"interview-fred-lay-tampa-magazine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/166846\/","title":{"rendered":"InterView: Fred Lay – Tampa Magazine"},"content":{"rendered":"

A North Tampa native, Fred Lay entered construction driven by necessity and a desire to shape his own future. Raised by a hardworking mother with limited means, he learned to hustle early, fixing bikes and lawn mowers and finding small ways to earn money. At Tampa Bay Tech<\/a>, he discovered a passion for building and welding through a sheet metal program. As he gained experience in the trades, he saw greater opportunity on the general contracting side. Lacking the capital to become a developer, he focused on mastering the field, eventually co-founding a construction company and later founding Construction Services Inc. (CSI<\/a>) of Tampa.<\/p>\n

My mom was a cigar roller, working long hours and making about ten dollars an hour in today\u2019s money. We didn\u2019t have much\u2014lots of beans and rice\u2014but we never went hungry, and there was always love and support in our family. I know things could have been very different if it weren\u2019t for my mom stepping up and raising me when my birth mother wasn\u2019t able to. She saved me from going to an orphanage, and because of that, I had a chance to build the life I have today.<\/p>\n

Some of my fondest childhood memories aren\u2019t about big moments or fancy things\u2014they\u2019re the small, everyday things that meant a lot. When I was 11, I saved enough money from mowing lawns and fixing bikes to take my mom out to a restaurant for the first time. We went for Cuban sandwiches, and she joked about how she wished I hadn\u2019t spent the money because we could have had so many more meals at home.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When I was growing up, I wanted to be an auto mechanic. I loved cars and couldn\u2019t wait to learn how to work on them. But when I got to school, the auto mechanics class was full, so I ended up in sheet metal class instead. Even though it wasn\u2019t my first choice, I found I was really good at building things. That hands-on experience sparked my interest in construction and set me on the path I\u2019m on today.<\/p>\n

One of the most formative experiences I had as a kid was when my mom took me to Mexico to visit my birth family. I was about 12 and going through a tough phase, being rebellious and challenging. Seeing the situation my birth family lived in hit me hard. That wasn\u2019t the life I wanted, and I instantly wanted to go back home. It made me realize just how lucky I was to have the mom who raised me. Her sacrifices saved me from a very different path. That trip was a wake-up call and shaped the way I see my life and the opportunities I have.<\/p>\n

My very first job was actually selling items at a circus. It was a wild experience, and I made so much money that, for a moment, I seriously thought about running away with the circus! That job taught me early on how important it is to seize opportunities and hustle hard. It also showed me the value of entrepreneurship, of finding a market, of selling things people want, and of working really hard to make something happen. Those lessons stuck with me and laid the foundation for everything that came after, including my career in construction<\/p>\n

My biggest supporter has always been my mom, Daisy. She took me in when I was a baby and gave me a chance at a better life when my birth mom couldn\u2019t. She worked tirelessly as a cigar roller, sacrificing so much to make sure I had food, a bed, and love. Even when I was a handful, she never gave up on me. Beyond her, my wife Laura has been an incredible support. Through all the ups and downs, she\u2019s been by my side, keeping me grounded and encouraging me. And of course, my family and my team at CSI have played important roles in supporting me and the business along the way.<\/p>\n

Honestly, I look up to everyone taller than me\u2014that\u2019s my little joke\u2014but on a serious note, I really admire entrepreneurs. I respect how they take an idea or a skill and turn it into a successful business. Watching people build something from scratch, overcome challenges, and keep pushing forward is inspiring. I try to learn from their hustle, vision, and resilience because building a business is never easy. It\u2019s about grit and determination, and those are qualities I strive for every day.<\/p>\n

I was born here and grew up in North Tampa. This place shaped me in so many ways. I never left because Tampa Bay is home, and it\u2019s where my story started. Growing up here, I saw firsthand what it means to hustle and make the most of what you have. It\u2019s a community full of hardworking people, and that spirit is something I really connect with. What I love most about the region is its resilience and diversity. Tampa Bay has so much to offer\u2014from vibrant culture to growing business opportunities. I\u2019ve watched it evolve a lot over the years. When I was a kid, parts of the area felt small and overlooked, but now it\u2019s a bustling hub with new industries, developments, and a strong sense of community pride. I\u2019m proud to be part of Tampa Bay\u2019s growth, especially through my work in construction. It\u2019s rewarding to see projects come to life that help shape the city\u2019s future while giving back to the community that gave me so much.<\/p>\n

\"\"Fred Lay<\/p>\n

My business philosophy is rooted in doing things the right way and always giving back. I believe in building a company culture where people have real opportunities to grow and succeed. That means investing in my team\u2014not just expecting results, but supporting them to become their best, even if that means they could eventually become my competitors. I never want to forget what it felt like to sign the back of a check as an employee, so I run CSI with empathy, respect, and fairness. Success doesn\u2019t come from a single big project\u2014it comes from creating an environment where everyone can contribute and feel valued. And because someone once gave me a chance for a better life, I\u2019m committed to paying that forward through giving back to the community.<\/p>\n

The last few years have taught me the importance of resilience and staying true to your values, no matter what challenges come your way. Business and life don\u2019t always go as planned. There are ups and downs, unexpected changes, and moments that test your grit. But those times also remind you what really matters: family, your team, and doing the right thing. I\u2019ve learned you have to be adaptable, keep pushing forward, and remember why you started. For me, it\u2019s always been about creating opportunities\u2014not just for myself, but for others\u2014and giving back. The tough times have made me appreciate those things even more.<\/p>\n

What I\u2019m most proud of isn\u2019t the projects or the business numbers; it\u2019s the people I\u2019ve had the chance to help along the way. I\u2019m proud of building a company where employees have real opportunities to grow and succeed. Seeing team members get their general contractor licenses or step into leadership roles is a big deal to me. I\u2019m also incredibly proud of my family and how we\u2019ve overcome challenges and built a life full of love, experiences, and support. And honestly, I\u2019m proud that I was able to take a tough start in life, with a 2.3 GPA and all, and turn it into something meaningful. It\u2019s proof that where you begin doesn\u2019t define where you can go.<\/p>\n

I never thought I could build a successful business, let alone one that works on billion-dollar projects and generates $80 million in revenue yearly. Growing up with so many challenges, a rough start in school, and limited resources, those kinds of dreams felt out of reach. But I also never thought I could be a role model or a leader who makes a positive difference in people\u2019s lives. That\u2019s been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey: knowing I\u2019m not just building buildings, but building opportunities and hope for others. Sometimes the things you never thought you could do turn out to be the things that define you.<\/p>\n

A lot of people don\u2019t realize that construction is really about relationships and trust\u2014not just bricks and steel. People often think construction is all about hard labor and machines, but behind every project is a team of people working together, navigating challenges, and making hundreds of decisions every day. Success isn\u2019t just about who works the hardest on the tools\u2014it\u2019s about managing the whole picture: schedules, budgets, teams, and quality. The general contractors and developers you don\u2019t always see are the ones who bring all those pieces together. And giving back is a big part of our industry culture. At CSI, we\u2019ve created programs to support the community and encourage our employees to volunteer. It\u2019s about building more than buildings; it\u2019s about building a better community.<\/p>\n

Family is everything to me. Spending quality time with my wife, daughters, and now my grandkids is always a priority. Giving my kids experiences, like traveling and making memories together, has been just as important as providing for them. Racing has been a passion of mine for a long time. I\u2019ve dabbled in the racing business and really enjoy the thrill and challenge that comes with it. It\u2019s not just about speed\u2014it\u2019s about precision, focus, and pushing the limits, which is something I relate to in how I run my business. My love for cars goes beyond racing. I\u2019ve built a custom garage to house my collection because cars are more than a hobby\u2014they\u2019re a big part of who I am. Racing and cars have taught me discipline and perseverance, lessons that have helped shape both my personal life and my career.<\/p>\n

My favorite place to travel is always coming back home to Tampa Bay. No matter where I go, there\u2019s something about this place that grounds me\u2014it\u2019s where my story began, and where my family and community are. Traveling is great for broadening your horizons, but coming home is about reconnecting with the people and spirit that made me who I am. I\u2019ve been fortunate to travel with my wife, kids, and grandkids and create lasting memories, which I cherish just as much. But at the end of the day, home is where I find peace, purpose, and pride.<\/p>\n

When I tell friends and family outside Tampa Bay about this place, I say it\u2019s a hidden gem\u2014a city with grit and heart. It\u2019s a place where people work hard but also come together like a tight-knit community. You\u2019ve got beautiful beaches and great weather, but it\u2019s more than that. There\u2019s a growing energy here with new businesses, development, and opportunities popping up all the time. Tampa Bay is a place where you can build something from nothing. Just like I did. It\u2019s got that blend of Southern hospitality and hustle that makes it special. If you haven\u2019t been here, you\u2019re missing out on a city that\u2019s on the rise but still feels like home.<\/p>\n

The biggest item on my bucket list is to leave a lasting legacy\u2014not just through my business or the buildings we construct, but through the impact I\u2019ve had on people and the community. I want to make sure that what I\u2019ve built continues to grow and that the values I stand for inspire others long after I\u2019m gone. On a personal note, I\u2019ll be racing at Le Mans, France, this summer, which is a dream come true. It\u2019s a huge step for me, combining my passion and determination to push myself in new ways. That experience will be unforgettable and something I\u2019m really looking forward to.<\/p>\n

The biggest honor of my life has been adopting my daughter, Daisy, named after the mom who raised me. I was raised by a Daisy, and now I\u2019m raising a Daisy. It feels like the way I\u2019m finally showing my mom the love and respect I didn\u2019t always show her while she was alive. That connection means everything. It\u2019s a tribute to her sacrifices and the chance she gave me at life, and it\u2019s a daily reminder to live with the kind of love and commitment she showed me.<\/p>\n

My most surprising hobby is flying a plane. I honestly didn\u2019t think I had the discipline to get my private pilot\u2019s license, but I surprised myself. I soloed after just 10 hours of training and earned my license in four months. Flying taught me focus, patience, and pushing beyond what you think you\u2019re capable of. It\u2019s a skill I\u2019m proud of and something totally different from my day-to-day construction work.<\/p>\n

My greatest extravagance is my car collection. I own about 24 cars, and I even built a custom garage to house them. Cars aren\u2019t just a hobby\u2014they\u2019re a passion and a way to unwind. I\u2019m always on the lookout for something unique or special, and sometimes I buy one just because I can\u2019t pass up the opportunity. It\u2019s my way of treating myself after all the hard work.<\/p>\n

If I could wake up tomorrow with one quality, it would be the skill to teach people that life is hard enough already, so there\u2019s no reason to make it harder on ourselves. I wish more people could learn not to sweat the small stuff. Life throws enough challenges at us, whether work, family, or unexpected setbacks, and if we can let go of unnecessary stress and focus on the bigger picture, we\u2019d all be better off.<\/p>\n

If I could go back and change one thing, it would be how I treated my mom when I was younger. I was a handful, a mischievous kid who gave her plenty of sleepless nights. Looking back, I wish I had been kinder and more appreciative of her sacrifices. She did so much to give me a chance at a better life, and sometimes I took that for granted. That\u2019s something I carry with me every day.<\/p>\n

I believe my best qualities are compassion and gratitude. Growing up with challenges taught me to appreciate what I have and to treat others with kindness and understanding. Compassion helps me connect with people, whether it\u2019s my family, my team, or the community, and to lead with empathy. Gratitude keeps me grounded. I never forget the sacrifices my mom made or the opportunities I\u2019ve been given. It reminds me to give back and to approach life and business with humility and respect.<\/p>\n

I want my impact to be about more than just buildings and business success. It\u2019s about giving people opportunities\u2014to grow, succeed, and build better lives for themselves and their families. I want to create a company culture where people feel respected, supported, and empowered. I want to give back to the community that gave me a chance. Someone believed in me when I was young and struggling, and I carry that with me every day. Through CSI and our charitable programs, I hope to make a difference in Tampa Bay\u2014helping kids and families in need, supporting causes that matter, and inspiring others to pay it forward. At the end of the day, I want my legacy to be one of hard work, integrity, and generosity, showing that no matter where you start, you can build something meaningful and help others do the same.<\/p>\n

My perfect day starts with spending quality time with my family\u2014maybe having breakfast together and just enjoying those moments. Then I\u2019d get to work doing what I love\u2014building and creating, whether at the office or on a project site. In the afternoon, I\u2019d carve out some time for my passion, checking out cars or maybe even doing some racing. Then I\u2019d wind down with good food, laughter, and relaxation with my wife and kids. A perfect day is about balance: hard work, family, and doing the things that bring me joy.<\/p>\n

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.<\/p>\n

Check out more InterViews<\/a>. Or, if you\u2019d like to advertise with us, click here.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A North Tampa native, Fred Lay entered construction driven by necessity and a desire to shape his own…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":166847,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[79285,79286,3638,15018,135,1526,137,79287,136],"class_list":["post-166846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-tampa","tag-csi-construction-services","tag-fred-lay","tag-inc","tag-interview","tag-tampa","tag-tampa-bay","tag-tampa-headlines","tag-tampa-native","tag-tampa-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=166846"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/166846\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/166847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=166846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=166846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=166846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}