Shannon Conrady

By Alejandra Zilak

hannon Conrady loves flowers: growing them, arranging them, and using them to brighten her surroundings. That same appreciation for beauty carries into her role as marketing director at Central States Building Works, a division of Central States Inc., a 100 percent employee-owned, nationwide manufacturer of metal roofing, siding, and building components. Her story proves life doesn’t always need a blueprint; sometimes the next step appears when you’re ready to take it.

Growing up in a busy household of six, plus her grandmother, Conrady learned early on how to juggle responsibilities. “My older sister and I were 10 years older than our younger siblings, so we helped a lot,” she recalls. With a large family garden, volleyball practice, piano lessons, and schoolwork, Conrady developed a strong work ethic and appreciation for structure. Her mother was a high school teacher; her father ran a food manufacturing plant. “My parents ran a tight ship and instilled valuable life lessons.”

That early exposure to discipline laid the foundation for her future career. “I didn’t realize it at the time,” she says, “but managing all those responsibilities taught me how to prioritize and stay calm under pressure.”

After high school, Conrady attended Appalachian State University, following in the footsteps of her grandmother and uncle. She majored in computer science and was involved in student government. “I was a third-generation student there. My grandmother graduated in the 1940s and became a teacher. My uncle followed, and then it was my turn.”

When her family relocated to Arkansas for her father’s career, she transferred to Arkansas State—sweetened by the promise of a new car—and joined Phi Mu to build new friendships fast. “It was a big change, but it taught me how to adapt quickly and find community wherever I go.”

Her first job was at Windsor Door in Little Rock. When her family moved back to North Carolina, Conrady transferred to Windsor’s Atlanta location to be closer to them, and that move changed everything. She reconnected with Tom Conrady, her next-door neighbor during high school, and they eventually married. “I learned Tom was in Atlanta and reached out to network,” she says. “And we just celebrated our 30^th wedding anniversary this year.”

Work took them to Baltimore briefly, but longing to return to the Southeast, Conrady landed a sales role at DBCI through a former colleague. The move brought them closer to family, and soon after settling in Georgia, they welcomed two daughters, now aged 26 and 25.

Conrady spent seven years at DBCI before joining Janus International in 2002, one of the first employees to make the leap when the company was founded.

At Janus, Conrady’s role quickly evolved from sales to marketing. “It was a need of the company,” she says. “I had experience in sales and information systems from my time at DBCI, so when Janus needed someone to handle marketing, I said, ‘Sure! I’ll do it!’”

One of her early marketing efforts led to a memorable moment: a misprinted toll-free number in an ad accidentally routed callers to an adult chat line. “I was mortified,” she says through laughter. “I told my boss, ‘I understand if you have to fire me.’” But he just smiled and said, “Why would I fire you? It will be a great story someday!”

That moment became a turning point, not just in her career but in her confidence. “It taught me that mistakes happen, but how you respond matters more. I learned to own it, fix it, and move forward.”

Embarrassing moment aside, Conrady thrived at Janus. “It was fun to help grow a company,” she says. Over 17 years, she helped launch e-commerce, national accounts, and two major software rollouts. She also handled financial reporting, systems integration, training, and operational enhancements. “I had a hand in all of it. We grew really fast and were very successful.”

Her ability to wear multiple hats became one of her greatest strengths. “I’ve always loved learning new things. Whether it was troubleshooting systems or mentoring new team members, I enjoyed being part of the solution.”

Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. “That turned everything on its side,” she says. “I felt like I needed a different challenge.” That opportunity came through Storage Structures, where she led marketing and IT efforts and helped introduce the patented Alpha Framing System to the market. “We had monumental growth in the first two years. It was exciting.”

In 2023, Central States acquired Storage Structures and rebranded it to Elevate Structures. Conrady was then given the opportunity to do more with Central States. The timing could not have been more perfect. “Our family was fully grown. Our oldest daughter had moved to Savannah, and Tom, our youngest daughter, and I decided that we should try something new.” So, they packed their bags and moved to Arkansas.

“Since Central States is 100 percent employee owned, I feel empowered to make business decisions for the company and the shareholders because I am a shareholder.”

Today, she’s dedicated to Central States Building Works. “We are intent on building true partnerships with our customers, being ready with the engineering expertise, project management, and manufacturing agility.” She adds that Building Works is gaining momentum, expanding its in-house capabilities, and strengthening its brand to better serve customers. “Behind the scenes, we’re adding the right expertise and refining our processes to create raving fans and deliver the kind of partnership our customers deserve.”

“It’s easy to celebrate a company’s accomplishments when you’ve worked with such dedicated and talented people,” Conrady says. “I’ve been fortunate to be part of some incredible teams throughout my career, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together.”

She’s especially grateful for the self-storage industry. “There’s real generosity here. People are kind, open, and genuinely willing to share what they’ve learned to help others succeed. It’s a close-knit community where everyone seems to know each other, and that spirit of support is especially encouraging when you’re new. I’ve come to think of it as a ‘prosperity for all’ mindset, and I really appreciate that.”

She also encourages women entering the industry to be intentional about their career paths and to seek environments where their strengths are recognized and their contributions valued. “Finding the right fit is key,” she says. “When you’re in a place that aligns with your values, it unlocks your full potential and you bloom. Never be afraid to ask questions. Curiosity is a powerful tool for growth.”

Mentorship is also something Conrady values deeply. “I’ve had mentors who believed in me before I believed in myself. That’s something I try to pay forward, especially to women who are just starting.”

When not working, Conrady enjoys attending concerts and sporting events with her family. “I don’t have a favorite team or game,” she says. “We just thoroughly enjoy all of it. I’ll root for whoever has the ball!”

She also loves gardening. “I enjoy flowers so much,” she says enthusiastically. “They’re so important. They change your attitude at home and work. I always have fresh flowers all around my house.”

And she enjoys wrapping gifts. “I really like making them beautiful. It’s not just about what’s inside. It’s fun to see people’s faces light up when they receive a gift.” When she was in Georgia, she would gift wrap on the side for her friends, family, and coworkers.

“To me, a beautifully wrapped gift is like a bouquet of fresh flowers. Both speak volumes before a single word is exchanged. They create a moment of joy, even before the contents are revealed. I love giving gifts and flowers because I love seeing faces light up. That reaction is the real gift.”

Conrady’s journey is a testament to adaptability and the power of saying yes to new opportunities. From her early days in sales to her current leadership role, she’s embraced change, leaned into growth, and stayed true to what brings her joy.

Whether she’s helping a customer, launching a new product, mentoring a colleague, or arranging a bouquet, Conrady brings intention and heart to everything she does. Just like the flowers she loves, her career continues to bloom—beautifully and with purpose.