The Foundation of O&T
“Someone still had to come back after the storm.”
That truth became more than a memory. It became a reason to build a company centered on preparation, response, restoration, and community.
Our Beginning
O & T Construction Group is rooted in the belief that construction and disaster recovery are not only about structures. They are about restoring safety, stability, dignity, and hope when people need them most.
Raised in Louisiana by a single mother, Damoris learned early that strength is something a family practices together. Her mother worked, repaired, built, and made a way with what was available—showing her children the value of resourcefulness, responsibility, and service.
Storms and floods were part of life. When the weather passed, families still faced debris, damaged property, uncertainty, and the long work of rebuilding. Neighbors stepped in to protect what could be saved and help one another recover. Those experiences planted the seed for O&T’s disaster-response and restoration mission.
Military service strengthened the discipline, accountability, and commitment to others that began at home. More than 20 years of federal acquisition experience later added a deep respect for planning, documentation, responsible decision-making, and mission readiness.
When life required Damoris to reimagine her professional path, she returned to something that had always been familiar: the world of repair, property care, and building solutions. O&T became a way to unite that practical foundation with strategic leadership and a lifelong commitment to service.
Building Opportunity
O&T’s vision includes creating pathways for women, veterans, people with disabilities, young adults, and others whose lives have required them to begin again. Through qualified partnerships, mentorship, training, and responsible growth, the company aims to help people build a future while helping communities rebuild theirs.
In Her Words
“My mother taught me to serve. The military strengthened it. Life tested it. Now I get to build with it.”
— Damoris T. Smith, President & Chief Executive Officer