By Kayden Breedlove
Community, family and perseverance define the work ethic and outlook of Roy Anderson IV (BBA 10).
Growing up in Gulfport, Anderson found inspirations and motivations everywhere including his father, Roy Anderson III (JD 82), and grandfather, Roy Anderson Jr. Through his father and grandfather, Anderson was exposed to their work in the construction industry.
“Growing up, I saw firsthand the impact our family business had on communities and the sense of fulfillment it brought to my father, grandfather, and everyone involved.”
His family holds strong ties to both Alabama and Ole Miss. When faced with the decision between picking between the two schools, Ole Miss won in the end.
“Ultimately, I chose Ole Miss, partly because my sister Annie was already there as a junior when I enrolled as a freshman,” he said.
As a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Anderson developed bonds and grew wonderful memories with his brothers. However, the Ole Miss School of Business Administration provided Anderson with crucial skills. He said the school’s focus on activities surrounding teamwork, leadership and collaboration are things that helped him the most in his professional career today.
“In my industry, the strength of a project team can make all the difference,” Anderson said. “The early emphasis on teamwork during my time at Ole Miss instilled an appreciation for collaboration, which has been invaluable in my career.”
Anderson originally started out at Ole Miss in pursuit of a Bachelor of Business Administration. He realized through his freshman year that he struggled a bit with finance and accounting, which he said made finance all the more appealing to focus on.
“I believed that mastering managerial finance would equip me with the strategic insights needed to develop and execute effective business strategies,” Anderson said. “At Ole Miss, I learned the value of detailed planning paired with adaptability, skills that have proven essential in my career in the construction industry.”
When asked about the influences that inspired Anderson at Ole Miss, he pointed to his professors.
“They commanded our full attention and pushed us to give it our all. Their approach cultivated a strong work ethic and a deep sense of commitment in my classmates and me, qualities I continue to value and carry with me today,” Anderson said.
Outside of his professors, Anderson found immense value in his own classmates and peers. Through his extracurriculars and his fraternity, he made numerous connections that still carry through to his present life.
“One of the greatest things about Ole Miss is the strong network of connections you gain after graduation,” Anderson said. “Upon graduation, while living in New Orleans and Manhattan, I was able to reconnect and forge new ties with several classmates, leveraging those relationships. Ole Miss truly has an amazing alumni family.”
The summer before Anderson’s graduation, he interned with Willis of London. There, he gained experience across several divisions in risk management. When graduation eventually came, Anderson jumped headfirst into the commercial construction industry, starting as an estimator in the preconstruction department for his family’s former construction company.
“I kicked off my career in the New Orleans office, which was an exciting beginning because we were working on the renovation of the New Orleans Superdome shortly after the Saints won the Super Bowl,” he said.
Anderson approaches his work with a very strong mindset. He feels that empowerment for the company’s employees is one of the most important factors when it comes to the success of the overall company.
“Our team is our greatest strength, and their well-being—both at work and in their personal lives—is a top priority,” Anderson said.
“Since co-founding AnderCorp with my father in 2019, we’ve seen rapid growth, largely thanks to our team’s ability to create meaningful opportunities. If a project benefits our community or is built on strong relationships, no matter the size or scale, we’re all in.”
It’s a mindset that has come with being on the job daily, working with his teams rather than managing from a distance. Anderson insists that it’s an attitude of dedication that only comes from experiencing the work firsthand.
“I attribute this mindset to my experiences in project management, working onsite daily with teams united by a shared goal,” he said. “Those experiences taught me what truly matters to individuals within an organization and how to prioritize their needs.”
Throughout his life, Anderson has had to face many obstacles. Remembering the impact that Hurricane Katrina still has almost 20 years later just reinforces the strong sense of community that Anderson values.
“Just two weeks into my freshman year at Ole Miss, our family home was destroyed by the storm’s devastation. Witnessing the way our communities came together in response was truly remarkable and taught me the meaning of true resilience in the face of adversity,” Anderson said. “Looking back, it’s inspiring to see the results of that collective effort.”
When asked about what keeps him motivated and inspired to keep moving forward, Anderson reflected on lessons and sayings from his father and grandfather that have stuck with him through the years.
“My father often emphasizes, ‘Pay attention to the lessons learned—that’s where true, lasting success lies.’ As time goes on, I’ve found he’s absolutely right,” he said. “A quote my grandfather would repeatedly write down and recite out loud to himself, especially during tough times is, ‘If it is to BE, it’s up to ME.’”
Anderson offered encouragement to those who look to pursue a career like his, but also to anyone who finds passion in a job or career path. He emphasized that no matter what educational background you come from, there is still so much to learn on everyone’s part.
“Ask questions—don’t hold back—absorb everything like a sponge and never let setbacks discourage you. It’s all part of the journey. Pursue that internship; it’s a great way to discover your interests early on,” Anderson said.
“And one piece of advice I wish I’d taken more seriously: be patient. Your time will come.”
