Jim Bernhard: The Industrial Giant Who Transformed Louisiana’s Business Landscape

Jim Bernhard — one of the most consequential business leaders in modern Louisiana history — has died unexpectedly, his family announced. Few executives have shaped the state’s industrial, construction, and energy sectors as profoundly as the founder of The Shaw Group and co-founder of Bernhard Capital Partners.

Bernhard’s career reflects a uniquely Louisiana story: a rise from the shop floor to the Fortune 500, built on an instinct for opportunity, a relentless work ethic, and a belief that Louisiana could compete with anyone in the world.

From Fabrication Shop to Fortune 500

Born and raised in Louisiana, Bernhard began his career inside a local fabrication shop. In 1987, he founded The Shaw Group — originally a small pipe fabrication and construction firm. Over the next 25 years, he transformed it into one of America’s fastest-growing industrial companies.

Under his leadership, Shaw became:

• A Fortune 500 global engineering and construction firm,

• With 30,000+ employees,

• $7 billion in annual revenue, and

• Operations spanning power generation, petrochemicals, energy services, and major federal contracts.

Bernhard led Shaw through some of the largest strategic acquisitions in the industry, including IT Group, Stone & Webster, and Westinghouse Electric’s nuclear services arm. These moves positioned Shaw as a national leader in energy infrastructure.

In 2013, Chicago Bridge & Iron purchased The Shaw Group for a 70% premium over its stock price — one of the largest public-company buyout premiums in U.S. corporate history.

Building a New Powerhouse: Bernhard Capital Partners

After the sale, Bernhard moved into private equity, co-founding Bernhard Capital Partners (BCP) in 2014 alongside longtime colleague Jeff Jenkins.

BCP quickly became a major player in the industrial and infrastructure investment space. Its milestones include:

• More than $5.6 billion in assets under management

• 23 operating companies across the U.S.

• Over 80 completed transactions

• Nearly 20,000 employees across its portfolio

BCP’s first fund — more than $750 million — was the largest debut infrastructure fund raised in the United States that year. Industry analysts at Private Equity International and PitchBook consistently recognized the firm’s performance and growth trajectory.

In just a decade, BCP became one of Louisiana’s most influential investment firms, channeling capital into energy services, utilities, and critical infrastructure.

A Business Titan with Deep Civic Roots

While known for his aggressive deal-making and large-scale management, Bernhard was equally recognized for his philanthropy.

His family noted his longstanding support for:

• LSU, where Bernhard was a major donor and booster

• St. George Catholic School and Church

• The Dunham School

• Every Kid A King Foundation, which supports opportunities for underserved children

For decades, Bernhard’s civic footprint was nearly as significant as his corporate one. He offered scholarships, funded youth programs, and contributed to local nonprofits across Baton Rouge and beyond.

He also received national recognition, including the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2001.

His personal motto — “the best has no equal” — became a guiding mantra not just for his career, but for every company he built.

A Legacy That Will Shape Louisiana for Years

Jim Bernhard’s impact on Louisiana’s economy is hard to overstate. He was a builder in the literal and figurative sense — someone who believed Louisiana’s talent, its industrial base, and its strategic geography could support world-class companies.

He proved it, repeatedly.

From a small fabrication shop to the Fortune 500, from corporate boardrooms to private equity leadership, Bernhard left behind a network of businesses, executives, and employees who continue to fuel economic growth across the state and beyond.

Bernhard’s family emphasized that his greatest devotion was not to his companies, but to his wife, Dana, his five children, and his grandchildren. They asked for privacy as they mourn. Funeral arrangements and a celebration of his life will be announced later.

A Giant Lost

Louisiana’s business community has lost one of its most influential architects — a man whose companies built power plants, refineries, industrial facilities, and careers. His legacy will be measured not only in billions of dollars invested or thousands of jobs created, but in the enduring belief that Louisiana can build, compete, and lead at the highest levels.