Bette began his career with D. Fortunato, a Long Island-based contracting firm and when the company expanded to the Capital District in 1965, Bette was selected to co-manage the company’s upstate operations with Robert Barry.
In 1973, the two established their own construction firm, Barry & Bette, Inc. and after 10 years of success in the area construction market, they formed Barry, Bette and Led Duke, Inc. (BBL).
Through Bette’s leadership over the next 26 years, BBL grew to become a nationally-ranked general contracting firm with divisions in Florida, Texas and Watertown.
In 1999, Bette became Chairman of the Bette Companies and along with his sons formed Bette & Cring Construction Group, First Columbia, BBL Florida and BBL Texas, ensuring the continuation of the family’s construction and real estate development businesses.
Over the past 50 years, Bette was responsible for the successful delivery of over $8 billion worth of construction projects including heavy highway, educational facilities, health care facilities, multi-family housing, high rise luxury condominiums, military facilities and general office buildings, both public and private. He was a licensed Professional Engineer and an active member of several regional building organizations.
Bette’s projects included major work at The New York World’s Fair, Empire State Plaza and numerous colleges including Siena, SUNY Albany and Albany College of Pharmacy; and numerous hospitals, including St. Peter’s, Ellis and Albany Medical Center. He changed the skyline of Southwest Florida and constructed many of the high rise condominiums along the Gulf Coast. In the Midwest and Texas he specialized in multi-family projects, becoming the fifth largest multi-family builder in the nation.
“He was proud of the many close business relationships that he formed and deeply valued every employee,” said Bette’s son, Matt. “He had a positive impact on many construction professionals working throughout the region. He knew that the recipe for success involved integrity, hard work and a can-do attitude.”
In keeping with Bette’s wishes and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Michael Bette’s name to Catholic Charities, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203 and St. Peter’s Hospital Foundation, 319 South Manning Blvd., Suite 114, Albany, NY, 12208.
