Behind the Assist: How Cherry Fratus Keeps BIG Moving Forward

At Brannon Industrial Group (BIG), growth and innovation may take the spotlight—but behind every big move, there’s someone making the critical assists. For BIG, that person is Cherry Fratus, Executive Assistant, who blends executive support with culture, communication, and operations to keep the organization running smoothly.

Cherry Fratus BIG Company EA

The Role of the Assist

Cherry compares her role to a sports assist: “Just like in sports, the person who makes the assist is just as critical as the one who scores, and a great EA makes a lot of game-winning assists.” What keeps her energized? The variety. “No two days are ever the same. There’s always something new to figure out or improve.”

Why BIG?

Drawn to BIG’s culture and the chance to work closely with leadership, Cherry quickly expanded her role beyond daily support. Today, she manages projects, processes, and cross-division communication—helping ensure alignment across BIG’s multiple businesses.

Influences That Shaped Her Work

Cherry credits her mother as her greatest mentor. “People often say I share her work ethic and dependability, which has shaped how I approach everything I do.” That foundation has helped her bring steadiness and resilience to a fast-moving company.

Mission and Impact

Cherry sums up her mission simply: “To keep our executives focused on what matters most by handling the details, communication, and follow-up that move projects and people forward.” Much of her impact comes in the quiet, unseen moments—catching issues before they grow, tracking details, and ensuring communication flows smoothly.

Her “superpowers”? Organization, communication, and staying one step ahead.

Operations & Problem-Solving

When deadlines collide, Cherry prioritizes by impact and urgency—balancing what’s due first with what matters most to the business. She’s also known for keeping calm during pivots. “Those pivots happen often, and the key is clear communication,” she says.

One process she’s particularly proud of is creating consistent meeting notes and tracking action items. This simple system saves time, prevents miscommunication, and holds teams accountable across BIG’s divisions.

Living BIG’s Values

BIG’s rallying cry is “Fueled by Integrity. Driven by Safety. Relentless for the Customer.” Cherry helps operationalize that culture every day—whether through safety calls, celebrating wins, or reinforcing core values like integrity, loyalty, and customer-first service. “Consistency comes from communication and reminders of what we stand for,” she explains.

When morale dips, Cherry listens first, then helps teams refocus on solutions. “Sometimes people just need to feel heard before they can move forward.”

Communication Across Divisions

From weekly check-ins to detailed action items, Cherry keeps information moving between executives and field teams. She’s skilled at translating big-picture goals into step-by-step actions, ensuring clarity even in times of change.

Leading Through Growth & Change

BIG is constantly evolving, and Cherry plays a key role in helping teams adopt new tools and policies. Her approach: explain the “why,” train the “how,” and ensure expectations are clear.

Beyond the Calendar

While many might assume her job is just scheduling and emails, Cherry’s role spans project management, process development, purchasing, safety initiatives, and cultural programs. Her reach touches nearly every corner of BIG.

Outside of work, Cherry recharges with family time by the water, volunteering in her church, and supporting Adams Angels, a non-profit serving families battling childhood cancer.

Looking Ahead

This fall, Cherry is particularly excited about BIG’s landfill project and helping drive it forward—a reflection of her passion for blending operational excellence with long-term impact.

Advice for the Next Generation

For women looking to follow a similar path, Cherry’s advice is clear: “Always be one step ahead, stay organized, communicate clearly, and be willing to listen and solve problems. The little things you do each day add up to make a big impact.”