Culture, Execution Excellence, Philanthropy
Transforming Construction for 10 Years!
Following in the footsteps of his family in the construction industry since 1950, and backed by a legacy of hard work, Wesley J. Palmisano had an entrepreneurial spirit and a new vision for the construction industry. Putting forth the most ambitious business plan, Wes began with a team of just 11 employees in 2013 and embarked on our first commercial project, the 20,000 square foot boutique entertainment facility Fulton Alley.
When Palmisano Construction launched its first commercial construction project in an empty bus barn in downtown New Orleans, it symbolized a new possibility for historic, hospitality, infrastructure, and commercial construction. It was a chance to use our renegade ethos for the first time. And what better way to start than with a project that looked to defy the norm itself: Fulton Alley. As a commercial hospitality project located in the Warehouse District, it represented the tangible beginning of our dynamic concept and a needed shake-up for a stagnant industry.
Forging ahead, our visionary leader established The Palmisano Foundation in 2016 to help solve problems and transform lives. The Foundation’s first project, an outdoor classroom and play area for Playbuild, was completed during that same year. Accelerating growth further, and with the desire to be a true builder, we soon added a Heavy Civil construction division and our Self-perform capabilities. In 2018, we celebrated five years by moving into our current location on the Tchoupitoulas Riverfront and welcomed new team members, increasing our staff to 120 people. In 2019, the company hosted the inaugural Renegade Fest, an outdoor music festival which has raised a total of $152,700, benefiting a variety of local causes.
On the quest to Break New Ground, Palmisano rebranded as Impetus in 2021. This new identity embodies our ethos defined by our forward momentum in the construction industry. Today, the company has more than 200 team members and has expanded to open an office in Nashville, TN.
Over the years, the company has found unique ways to revolutionize the construction industry. We established the Renegade Academy, a series of workshops that help develop the next generation of construction professionals and positioned the company as a reputable industry thought leader. In 2022, we added our RNGD division that was created to offer customers a pre-fabrication manufacturing option. Just as in our early days, Impetus continues to honor the timeless principles of hard work, teamwork, and the company’s unparalleled reputation that drives its growth.
Fast forward to 2023, where Impetus now has over 500 projects completed, over 200 employees, and a second location in Nashville. We’ve also added our multifaceted company of RNGD, our high-end real estate development company of Emergent Properties, the Palmisano Foundation, and the Renegade Academy. We know this list is going to continue to expand and we are especially excited to see what the next 10 years holds. Congratulations, Wesley J. Palmisano on this amazing milestone!
