Women of the Year – Dallis Fontenot, ESI Construction

By Heide Brandes

Despite dropping out of high school, Dallis Fontenot became a symbol of resilience and dedication, earning her GED at 40 and rising to become a stockholder and the first female executive vice president at ESI Construction.

As Idaho’s first Gallup Certified Coach, she has also coached and mentored hundreds, speaking at educational institutions and businesses across Idaho while spending the last 30 years volunteering to serve the community, the incarcerated and Idaho’s youth.

Throughout her life and career, she has lived with a fierce dedication to uplifting others both personally and professionally.

“My philosophy is that empowering leaders transforms not just them, but everyone they touch — employees, family and community — creating a ripple effect that impacts generations,” Fontenot said. “I’ve had the privilege of speaking to, singing for and coaching people from all walks of life, including the rich, the poor, the young, the old, the incarcerated, the homeless and the successful.

One universal truth I’ve learned is that everyone, no matter their station, desires dignity and respect. It’s only when we value and appreciate the differences in each other’s strengths can we leverage the power of them. Otherwise, all we are left with is a battle; each person pulling the other toward their way of being.”

This past year, Fontenot was promoted from senior vice president to executive vice president — a highly strategic position within an organization of over 800 employees. ESI Construction is a leader in its industry, and Fontenot’s team is responsible for attracting, hiring, retaining and developing the talent needed to meet customer and industry demand.

She is an influencer whose fingerprints can be found throughout ESI. For over two decades, she has been the person behind the scenes, guiding, coaching and developing leaders, helping the organization grow.

She is the creator and lead facilitator of ESI’s Leadership Development Program, which has trained hundreds of leaders on “The ESI Way” and how to leverage their strengths.

“She regularly mentors senior leaders and junior staff internally and externally to ESI using a strengths-based coaching approach to accentuate their talents and help them shine,” said Ben Quintana, adjunct faculty for the College of Business and Economics, MBA programs, at Boise State University. “I know several people who started entry-level positions, from interns to coordinators, who earned promotions and became formal leaders because of her mentorship.”

Fontenot serves as the executive administrator/facilitator of the ESI Board of Directors’ meetings. In that role she prepares agendas, support information and schedules subject matter experts that help lead and direct the company. She also documents the events of the meetings and provides valuable input that regularly impacts the decisions of the Board, and ultimately the direction of the company.

“During my time on the ESI board, Dallis has become a significant contributor to this very successful, Idaho-based company through her influence on the company culture, business operations and ultimately the strategic direction,” said Joel G. Carson, CEO and executive director of Geoprofessional Business Association.

“In addition to her leadership at ESI, Ms. Fontenot has had a significant influence on the Treasure Valley by delivering strengths seminars, executive coaching and mentorship as a volunteer to leadership groups across the community. She is an advocate for helping individuals and groups identify and develop their unique strengths and helping them to leverage them at work, in relationships and other areas of life, leading to higher performance and overall higher satisfaction.”