Bayou Icon | Christy and Eddie Flanigen

ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

The Flanigens have amassed an impressive record in our community as volunteer leaders even as Flanigen Builders has amassed a similarly impressive record building hundreds of custom homes.

It’s easy to see why Eddie and Christy Flanigen have developed a very successful company – Flanigen Builders. They are energetic, creative thinkers who also happen to love working together. Get to know them and you see just how talented they both are. But there’s much more to this dynamic couple than just their business success. Eddie (General Contractor, Designer, and Projects Manager for Flanigen Builders) handles the construction projects (residential and commercial) from the initial potential client contact through to the final walk-through. Christy handles the office – all of those pesky details that essentially keep everything on track and on time. While many contractors and office managers might not find time for other things like volunteerism, such is not the case with the Flanigens. Northeast Louisiana is fortunate to have this successful, caring couple in our midst.

To understand where Eddie and Christy Flanigen got their drive to succeed, one has only to look back to their family trees. On Eddie’s family tree, there sits Rosemary Drobig, a dynamo in her own right. When she was just 7 years old, she crossed the Atlantic Ocean to Ellis Island with her mother, Susan. There she and her mother entered the promised land even as they left the place of their birth — London, England. The year they arrived was 1921.

Rosemary eventually married Arthur Lawson Flanigen. They had a son, A. Edwin Flanigen. Edwin Flanigen married Clarice Aaron and together they had one son, Edwin “Eddie” Lawson Flanigen.

Eddie was born in Tuscon, Arizona. His father was in the United States Air Force where he served as a jet mechanic. During his four years in the service, Eddie’s dad served a stint in the Korean War. His parents divorced when he was about two.

On Christy’s family tree, there sits a vibrant Italian family – the Schiro’s. Christy’s father, John Posey, met Pamela Schiro while they attended Northeast Louisiana University (now University of Louisiana Monroe/ ULM). They married and welcomed two children – Christy and her younger brother, James John “Jimbo” Posey. Both siblings were born and reared in Monroe.

EARLY YEARS
Eddie credits his maternal grandparents, John and Helen Aaron, and his paternal grandparents, Arthur and Rosemary Flanigen, with giving him the life experiences and being the examples that helped him become the successful man he is today. Eddie is indebted to his grandparents for his work ethic, character, the foundational life lessons they provided him. He follows those lessons daily.

Christy remembers her childhood revolving around dance lessons, beauty pageants, and softball. She took dance from Linda Lavender for years and loved every minute. “I will always be grateful to Mom for making those lessons possible for me,” Christy says. “We didn’t have much, but my parents made sure that we had everything that we needed.”

Christy also grew up loving Christmas. She said that Christmases were big celebrations for the family. Her dad would always give “special” gifts – and usually his would be the last gift presented. “I remember one Christmas when he gave us all really lovely gold bracelets,” Christy says. “They were so pretty! I still have mine.” 

Her mom’s special Christmas moment was the Christmas stockings. “They were filled with special little things – perhaps makeup and socks with candy – and they were always eagerly looked through by us,” Christy remembers. That memory is so compelling that today Christy does Christmas stockings for her entire family – and even some extended family. “I do it just like Mom did,” Christy confesses. “Of course, I go a little overboard.”

Christy’s parents expected their daughter to work hard and make top grades and she delivered. After all, her parents were excellent role models for their children. Christy’s mother worked for the State of Louisiana. She had worked her way up to Fraud Investigator for Unemployment when she retired. “She had a badge and everything!” Christy remembers with pride. Christy’s father was an electrical engineer draftsman. At some point during his career, he taught himself woodworking. “He was quite good at it,” Christy says. “I have several pieces of furniture that my dad made. Since he is no longer with us, they are very precious to me.” 

After Christy’s dad retired, he began building cabinets for Eddie. Eddie’s regular cabinet maker was overloaded with jobs at the time so that worked out well. Ten years later Christy’s dad was still working for Eddie until illness interfered.

Finding Careers – and Each Other
Eddie, being four years older, began his college education before Christy. He enrolled at ULM with a career in science in mind. Eddie was particularly intrigued by a career in toxicology and did well in his toxicology classes. Although he loved science, Eddie didn’t see a future where he would work hours on end in a lab or office. “I’m an outdoor guy,” Eddie admits. “The thought of being in an office or lab all day just didn’t suit me.”

When Christy entered ULM, her career path was already laid out. Early Childhood Education was the field that she eagerly pursued. After she graduated, she taught children in both the Monroe City and Ouachita Parish School Districts, spending time at Woodlawn Junior High, Clara Hall Elementary, Crosley Elementary, and Swayze Elementary.

Just by chance, both Eddie and Christy took apartments at Morrison Place in Monroe – across the hall from each other! Christy says that they always spoke in the hall but she was dating someone else so there was nothing more to their relationship in the beginning than being “neighbors in college.” In fact, Christy moved to another complex and didn’t reconnect with Eddie for a couple of years. 

Eddie had been living on his own since he was 18. When their paths crossed a second time, Eddie noticed that Christy was no longer dating someone and made his move. He asked her out for dinner at Geno’s. It wasn’t until later that the two discovered that Geno’s was where Christy’s parents had gone on their first date.

As the couple continued dating, Christy discovered that Eddie was an excellent cook. From the first meal that he cooked for her (venison), Eddie cooked for Christy lots – and still does. She says that he can cook anything on the grill better than anyone else. “He also makes delicious crepes and great biscuits with gravy. I’m truly spoiled,” Christy adds. 

After dating for about a year, the two married at First United Methodist Church in Monroe. One of their early dreams was to build their own home together. Within two years, Eddie and Christy had done just that. They moved into their new home – a home that Eddie built. Over time they built two more homes and had a great time building all three. “I was a little concerned when we decided to build that first house because several of my friends said that the easiest way for a couple to divorce was to build a house together,” Christy says. “What happened to us on that first build was we learned that we could work well together. If there was something that I really wanted in the house, Eddie was good with that. If there was something that Eddie really wanted, I was good with that. It has always worked for us.”

After they sold their first house and built the second, Eddie began building full-time. Although Eddie lacked very little in order to graduate from ULM, once he realized that construction was his true passion, he never looked back. He built a few spec houses, but quickly began doing custom work both residential and commercial. Eddie’s motto? “I’ll build anything from an outhouse to a penthouse!”  Christy says that Eddie is very analytical and can figure just about anything out. “Eddie is a mechanically-inclined thinker and problem solver,” Christy explains. “When it comes to the building process, he thrives on solving problems and doesn’t rest until he has figured out a solution.”

Eddie also believes in giving value for his clients’ dollar. He is dedicated to his clients, and tries to build each one the absolute best home or business that he can. Eddie doesn’t cut corners and takes the company’s tagline – “Building Your Future Today” – to heart. His clients realize that, and many become repeat customers.

Adjusting Their Trajectory
Eddie and Christy were eager to start a family, but it took a little more time than they had anticipated. Even so, a son they named John Lawson was born in due time. They named him “John” after Christy’s dad (John Posey) and Eddie’s maternal grandfather (John Aaron) and “Lawson” after Eddie and his paternal grandfather (Arthur Lawson). 

When their son was quite young, Christy noticed that there were challenges. John Lawson was diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD. Christy educated herself on both so that she could offer her son the best possible learning environment. 

When John Lawson was 18-months old, Christy left public school teaching and went to work with Eddie at Flanigen Builders. She began home-schooling John Lawson when he started 6th grade and continued until he graduated from high school. Today John Lawson is a ULM student majoring in kinesiology and loving the college experience.

For a time, Christy had a catering business, but she left that, too, when it became clear that Eddie – and the growing business – needed her to work fulltime for Flanigen Builders. Fortunately for Eddie and their company, when he needed someone to handle the paperwork, website, and all other office tasks, Christy was not only available but willing. Eddie freely admits that Christy has been instrumental in the company’s success and works hard. “I always say that she does the work of three people,” Eddie says with pride. 

The fact that they run Flanigen Builders out of their home means that they are able to be together most of the time. Eddie especially enjoys his time at home with Christy there. During the week he is often found researching new products or other construction or design trends, or he is out on job sites. “I’m a big garage guy on weekends,” Eddie explains. “I’m often found working on a project in my garage or around the house. I’ll grab a beer with Chris and come out in the garage or take a golf cart ride around the neighborhood. My neighbors probably refer to me as the guy always washing cars.”

Eddie isn’t just “hanging out” in their garage. There he loves to tinker on cars. Since collecting toy cars as a child, Eddie has had several sports cars and other vehicles and spends hours detailing them. He especially loves auto racing (Formula 1, Indy Car, and Endurance racing). 

Giving Back 
Both Eddie and Christy are strong believers in giving back to the community, and both have done their share of volunteering. Christy is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Monroe and served as the organization’s president. She has also been active with the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum and the Red Cross. Eddie has also volunteered to help these organizations through his building expertise. The couple also supports the Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, ULM, and St. Jude’s, and Eddie can often be seen riding around in his golf cart, “grabber” in hand, attacking litter.

Retirement? No Way!
Eddie insists that he’ll never retire. He loves his work too much to even consider it. Eddie has built a dependable and highly talented group of craftsmen who work for him. This spares him the frustration of having to find workers every time he books a job. His craftsmen appreciate the fact that he will get right in and help if they are run into an unexpected challenge. “I’m not a pencil-pusher, but I don’t walk around wearing a nail belt, either,” Eddie explains. “I just love the building process and pitch in wherever I see I’m needed.”

Flanigen Builders works in northeast Louisiana. Eddie tries to keep his projects no further than 50 miles away from home though there have been exceptions. He has done several projects in the New Orleans area for NELA clients. According to Eddie, “It just really depends on what my clients need.”

Quality control is bedrock for Eddie and Christy. Eddie tells his crews to do their work as though they were working on their own homes. “If they are paying $1, don’t give them 99 cents worth of work,” Eddie says. “I treat every project as a calling card for my business.” The result? Flanigen Builders has a solid reputation for quality work – every time.

Get-Aways Are Always Welcome 
While retirement might not be an option, there are plenty of play times worked into their busy lives. Snow skiing, scuba diving, and traveling are favorites they both share. They also enjoy traveling — Las Vegas, Napa Valley, and Carmel are special spots to them. 

A few years back the three Flanigens traveled to Brussels to celebrate Eddie’s 50th birthday. A day trip to Paris was certainly a highlight, but the real excitement came when they attended the Formula 1 race at Circuit de Spa-Francorechamps in Spa, Belgium — which fell on Eddie’s birthday. 

On most mornings, Eddie can be found at the kitchen table doing research and scheduling his work for the day. Christy will be nearby, perhaps catching a few moments to read or cook – both activities she loves. They will likely be sipping French press coffee as they begin their day. After 29 years of marriage, it’s the little everyday things that mean so much to them.