Everyone might have a story to tell. But Barry Borges, Project Director at CleanTech Lithium, has the rarest ability to build a story, word by word, living every emotion it brings along. His journey began with loss—his mother passed when he was just six months old. Raised by his grandmother in Cuba, he learned early on that the world around him could be shaped by his hands. Discarded piano boxes became forts. Treehouses, built with boundless ambition, took root in backyard canopies. Those early, self-taught projects weren’t modern skyscrapers or sleek office towers but were proof of something more profound: the raw, unshakable instinct to create.
His uncle, a mailman by day and a roofer by trade, introduced him to construction’s tangible impact. It wasn’t just about hammering nails but shaping spaces and transforming ideas into something real. At first, Barry pursued architecture, drawn to the artistry of design. But something was missing. He didn’t just want to draft the blueprints—he wanted to stand in the dust, feel the weight of materials, and see the skyline shift under his hands. That realization led him to construction management, where he could bridge vision and execution, concept and reality.
For Barry, it’s never been about sketches on paper. It’s about the concrete underfoot, the steel beams rising against the sky, and the landscapes forever altered by those who dare to build. As he opens up about those chasms and pillars that held his life’s lows and highs, this cover story becomes a must-read piece for aspiring leaders in this domain.
Defining Watershed Moment: Navigating the Lithium Labyrinth
Barry knows the weight of a project teetering on the brink. Over the years, he has carved a niche as the go-to fixer—the one who parachutes into remote sites across Colombia, Argentina, Guatemala, and Peru to wrestle delayed projects back on track. But nothing prepared him for the call that would redefine his career.
The CEO of CleanTech Lithium, a former colleague who had seen Barry thrive under pressure, reached out with an audacious challenge: take over the Pre-Feasibility Study for Laguna Verde, CleanTech’s flagship lithium project. The catch? Lithium was new terrain. Barry had spent his career with solid minerals—coal, copper, and gold—the kind you dig, blast, and haul. But lithium? An entirely different force.
Extracted as a liquid from underground wells in South America’s Lithium Triangle, lithium mining felt more like an oil and gas operation than traditional mining. The shift was seismic. But Barry thrives in the unfamiliar. “This process aligns itself more with the petrochemical industry than with hard rock mining,” he reminisces, “Needless to say, a challenge for me.”
Rather than balk at the unknown, he embraced it, applying his deep-rooted expertise in construction and project revival to an industry on the frontier of global energy transformation. For Barry, the Laguna Verde project wasn’t just about lithium—it was about proving, once again, that real builders don’t back down from a challenge. They adapt, they innovate, and they deliver.
Perfect Rhythm: Juggling Giants
For Barry, the challenge has never been just about delivering results but mastering the balance between career and personal life that keeps him grounded. In 2013, he made a bold decision to step into “semi-retirement.” Fresh off an assignment in Colombia, he chose to slow down—not because the work had lost its thrill, but because his growing family needed him more. He reshaped his career, focusing on troubled projects that required sharp, time-bound intervention before he moved on. This process allowed him to contribute at the highest level without losing sight of home.
Now, with his children forging their own careers and college paths, his primary focus outside work is his wife. “She is also an engineer and, therefore, understands my travel requirements,” he shares with gratitude. That shared understanding has been his anchor, allowing him to keep building, leading, and transforming without sacrificing what matters most.
Chimeric Blueprint: Foundations of Far-Flung Fortunes
The construction sector’s intense competition spurs innovation, a fact well understood by this venerable executive. Barry sees it as a system that compels businesses to revolutionize their practices, services, and technologies to dominate the market. For him, success in this sector transcends mere blueprints and budgets. It’s like navigating a dense jungle with only a compass and a machete—technical expertise matters, but the real test lies in how well you adapt to the unknown. He attributes his success to something beyond schedules and site plans.
Barry believes his ability to spot problems early, whether in timelines or project strategies, has been a defining factor. However, technical skill alone isn’t enough in remote locations, where infrastructure is scarce and resources are stretched thin. True success, he emphasizes, comes from something deeper: the ability to connect with people.
“When you are in the middle of nowhere, whether it be South America, Far East Russia, or Africa, a connection with people is the key to success,” he shares. No one builds anything of significance alone. It takes trust, collaboration, and a shared vision to turn a barren landscape into something lasting. To Barry, that human connection isn’t just part of the job—it’s the foundation of every project he leads.
Overcoming the Toughest Challenge: Building the Right Team
What makes or breaks a project? Barry reflects on this question often, and in his experience, the answer is clear—people. Beyond the logistical hurdles of managing projects in remote locations, he shares that the most formidable challenge is assembling the right team. He explains that the first priority upon stepping into a new project is assessing whether the right individuals are in the correct roles. Some professionals thrive in the early stages, igniting momentum, while others excel at seeing things through to completion. Understanding these dynamics, Barry emphasizes, is the foundation of a successful project. He believes team building is the linchpin determining whether a project soars or stumbles.
“My leadership style is twofold,” Barry says with resolve. He is a people-first leader. This experienced professional builds bridges with everyone—team, consultants, contractors, you name it—and genuinely listens to every voice when a challenge pops up. He believes in the power of brainstorming and collaboration. However, when it’s time to act, he takes charge. The final decision? That’s his, and he makes it happen.
A Day in the Life of a Project Director at CleanTech Lithium
Barry steps into each day, knowing one thing for certain: no two are ever alike. The role of a project director is not about predictable routines. It is about navigating shifting tides with a steady hand, ensuring that every moving part hums in sync. Some days feel like high-stakes chess, where every decision shapes the board. Other times, it is a relentless sprint, pushing forward through roadblocks with precision and agility.
One of the trickiest terrains he has had to traverse is the rise of online meetings. This shift has redefined modern business interactions. While the world embraces digital efficiency, Barry takes a different stance. “I am a bit ‘old school’ and much prefer in-person meetings, no matter how insignificant.” He says this with conviction, firm in his belief that eye contact and handshakes still carry weight no screen can replicate. To him, these face-to-face encounters are not just procedural check-ins. They are the crucible where trust is forged, ideas ignite, and collaborations take root. And, as it turns out, he is far from alone.
When he extends an invitation for an in-person meeting, the response is often more than just a ‘yes.’ It is a revelation. Executives, partners, and colleagues alike confess that they, too, crave real connection in a world that often settles for pixelated exchanges. For Barry, being a project director is not just about keeping operations on course. He knows that the most powerful progress often begins not with a click but with a conversation.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Builders
Barry perceives his work beyond mere plans and schedules, recognizing it as the core of a larger, permanent contribution. Construction, to him, is about shaping the future, leaving behind a skyline that tells a story of purpose and ambition. He wants young professionals to see that a career in this industry isn’t just a job but a craft, a calling. With the right vision and steady hands, the possibilities stretch as far as the eye can see.
Climbing the ladder doesn’t impress him. Mastering every step does. He knows too many rush ahead only to stumble when they realize they’ve risen past their abilities. The Peter Principle looms over many, which states, “In a hierarchy, an employee tends to rise to his/her level of incompetence.” Barry believes there’s a better way—one built on skill, strategy, and relentless refinement.
Barry doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to success in construction. He’s seen too many people chase titles instead of mastery, only to find themselves out of their depth. His advice? Know your strengths, own them, and double down on what sets you apart. “Do what you do best and do it to the best of your ability,” he says—a simple truth that separates the great from the merely good. Not everyone is built to be a project director, and that’s okay. The real power lies in finding your lane and dominating it. In an industry where precision, grit, and expertise define legacies, those who focus on their craft rather than the corner office are the ones who truly build something that lasts.
Transcendent Landmark Achievements: A Legacy of Bold Innovation
He stands as one of “The Most Influential People in The Construction Industry, 2025,” and Barry reflects on a career spanning five decades with a quiet intensity. He acknowledges the weight of his experience, yet his voice holds a warm, personal tone. He states, “I have had many notable achievements during my 50 years in the industry, but I would have to say that my most memorable was the erection of the Chilean Pavilion at the World’s Fair of 1992 in Seville, Spain.”
He recounts the project’s sheer scale and historical significance, marking the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival in the Americas. Entrusted by the Chilean government, Barry oversaw the intricate assembly of the pavilion, which was constructed with glue-laminated lumber and copper roofing imported from Chile. A dedicated Chilean crew—twenty carpenters and five roofers—brought the vision to life.
The pavilion’s most striking feature was an iceberg transported from Chilean waters in refrigerated containers. Barry describes the installation with awe, detailing the air columns that maintained freezing temperatures—an astonishing contrast to the scorching Spanish summer. Visitors stepping inside experienced an instant chill and the breathtaking sight of a genuine iceberg, a testament to the project’s ambition.
Barry’s words carry both authority and humility. He doesn’t just list achievements; he shares stories—snapshots of a career built on problem-solving, collaboration, and a deep appreciation for the art of construction. For him, it’s more than building structures; it’s about creating lasting experiences and memories.
Staying Ahead: A Trailblazing Approach to Innovation in Construction
This time-honored executive acknowledges that the construction industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, making it nearly impossible to master every innovation. Barry believes the key is focus. He advises professionals to carve out a niche and strive to be “the best of the best” in that area. With construction spanning residential, commercial, industrial, and infrastructure sectors, excelling in all is unrealistic. Instead, he looks to the future—beyond Earth itself. The next frontier, he notes, is more than smarter structures. It is construction on the Moon and Mars, where new challenges will redefine the industry once again.
Beyond the Office: Building Bonds That Last
Barry likens fostering team spirit to nurturing a rare bloom, requiring more than just workplace sunlight. He asserts that he champions after-hours activities, ranging from a simple dinner, a cultural outing, or an immersive retreat at a nearby resort to strengthen team connections.
Reflecting on his past, he recalls a defining moment in Chile during the 1990s when his team successfully wrapped up a grueling project. To celebrate, he extended an extraordinary invitation: a seven-day Caribbean cruise for his management team and their partners, covering the cruise expenses if they could reach Miami themselves. Many embraced the offer, and the experience cemented lasting bonds. He maintains that such experiences are pivotal in cultivating a positive and inclusive culture at CleanTech Lithium, where collective joy amplifies individual prowess.
Barry’s Heartfelt Horizons: Family, Legacy, and the Joy of “In-Between”
Barry reveals his dual compass: professionally, he vows to remain a “nexus” of project contribution, a steadfast anchor. He acknowledges his son’s medical journey at Oklahoma, a long and demanding path that requires his unwavering support.
Personally, he treasures the “in-between” moments—the joy found with his wife and ever-growing family. Cruises, he reveals, are a favorite, a chance to connect as tourists, not project managers. He speaks with palpable affection for his daughters, sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, a legacy he holds dear. His aim? To thrive, not just survive—balancing commitment and connection, work and family, with a steady, compassionate hand.
