Meet Marcus Trivette. Twenty years ago, Marcus was a college student looking for summer work. Today, he’s the president of Brice Inc. and the first non-Brice family member to lead the company in its 60-year history.
Marcus’s path to leadership wasn’t typical, but it perfectly reflects the opportunities for growth and advancement that define our company culture. When Marcus began pursuing an engineering degree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the Brice team offered him a summer internship that launched his career, eventually taking him from the field to the executive suite.
Learning from the Ground Up
Marcus’s first project was rebuilding an airport runway at Birch Creek, north of Fairbanks. The remote location meant flying all equipment in on C-130 aircraft—his first experience with the logistical challenges that make Alaska construction unique.
Beyond the technical aspects of the project, Marcus learned from veteran team members that success depends on taking care of your people. On a flight to scout crew housing in Birch Creek with Sam Richard Brice, one of the Brice Inc. founders, Marcus learned that simple things—like ensuring field crews have good meals after long days away from home—can make or break a project’s success. This lesson stuck with Marcus throughout his career, and taking care of team members continues to be a core philosophy at Brice Inc. today.
Building a Career at Brice
After spending several summers working on projects across the state as an intern, Marcus joined the Brice team full-time. He continued gaining experience and was promoted to project engineer, then superintendent, and eventually project manager.
When Calista Corporation acquired Brice Inc. in 2010, the business was able to expand, creating new advancement opportunities for team members. By 2014, Marcus had stepped up as construction manager, overseeing the entire construction division for the next decade. In early 2025, Marcus was named president of Brice Inc.—becoming the first person outside of the Brice family to lead the company in its 60-year history.
Marcus’s journey from intern to president illustrates a simple truth: at Brice Inc., growth creates opportunity. “We are growing,” Marcus explains. “Do your job well and be ready for when the phone rings, and you’ll get an opportunity to take on a larger role.”
Leading with Purpose
Marcus brings a unique perspective to his role, having experienced Brice Inc. as both a family-owned business and as part of large organization after Calista Corporation acquired the company in 2010. As president, Marcus carries forward the values that attracted him to Brice in the first place.
From the Brice family, he learned to treat team members like family —creating a culture where people feel valued and supported.
From Calista, he embraces the philosophy of constant improvement. Rather than trying to fix everything at once, Marcus focuses on incremental progress by selecting a few key areas for improvement each year. His approach is methodical: pick the things you can control and make them better.
His advice for new employees and interns centers on alignment: “Make sure your personal goals and values align with the company you work for, then it’s really easy to carry out the mission.”
Looking Ahead
For Marcus, leadership isn’t about the spotlight—it’s about continuing Brice’s tradition of excellence while creating opportunities for others. As helenka Brice, co-founder of Brice Inc. and matriarch of the Brice family, once said: “Our organization is competent, our productivity consistent”—words that still appear on company timecards today and capture what the organization continues to work toward.
Growth means giving people room for advancement in the organization, whether they’re new to the company or moving up from within.
Marcus’s story isn’t rare at Brice Inc.—it’s how we do business. When employees grow, the company grows, and when the company grows, new opportunities emerge for everyone ready to answer the call.
Interested in starting your own career journey with us? Explore opportunities at Calista Brice companies and discover where your path might lead.
