2026 Virginia Black Business Leaders Awards: STARLENA S. THOMAS

RMT Construction began in 2003 as a small masonry firm founded by Thomas and her husband, Warren. As they established a roster of clients, requests for additional services pushed the company to evolve into a full-service general contractor and construction management firm in 2007.

When work dried up during the Great Recession, RMT pursued public sector construction opportunities, including smaller projects, which allowed the company to thrive while others floundered. By 2017, the firm had outgrown two offices.

Today, RMT’s portfolio includes commercial, industrial, corporate, retail, hospitality, government, health care, multifamily and education clientele. In 2024, RMT partnered with Breeden Construction on a $40 million parking deck at the University of Virginia. That year, the general contracting and construction management firm reported $22 million in revenue.

A behind-the-scenes force who oversees RMT’s financial operations and strategy as well as human resources, Thomas is a real estate agent with a background in finance and business management who graduated from Liberty University.

A passionate supporter of women and minorities in business, she is a member of the National Association of Women in Construction and Commercial Real Estate Women and mentors other leaders at small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses.

Thomas has spoken at the Metropolitan Business League’s Women in Construction Luncheon Summit in Herndon. She has also represented RMT at SWaMfest, a networking and educational event for SWaM-certified businesses held in Richmond.