Andy DeGroat was promoted to the position of geomatics services manager for Mulkey Engineers & Consultants, Raleigh. In this role, DeGroat will support the utilities and survey group's activities across offices in Raleigh, Charlotte and Roswell, Ga. Prior to this appointment, DeGroat served as utilities services program manager for Mulkey. He has 29 years of industry experience.

 

ELY

Jim Ely, who serves as chairman of HNTB's national toll practices, was recently named a senior vice president at the firm. Based in HNTB's Tallahassee, Fla., office, Ely previously served as executive director of Florida's Turnpike Enterprise for 21 years and is a past president of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association.

 

IRION

Laddie Irion

In addition, HNTB announced that the following staff members have been named vice presidents: Rafiq Alqasem and Girish Kumar, both in the firm's Miami office; Kevin Hoeflich and Yvonne Lopez-Diaz, both of Lake Mary, Fla.; Gary Landschoot, Jacksonville, Fla.; and Joseph Walshe, Orlando.

The firm also announced that the following individuals were named associate vice presidents: William Brooks and G. John Hornbeck, Lake Mary; Christopher (Craig) Toth and Benjamin Walker, Tampa; and Thomas Woods, Jacksonville.

Nihal Alwakeel was one of several staffers with SchenkelShultz Architecture recently promoted to associate. Based in the firm's Jacksonville, Fla., office, Alwakeel has 14 years of design experience. She has been with the company for four years.

In the firm's Orlando office, Stephen Carroll, Michelle DeLora and Patrick Rauch were named associates. Carroll, with 21 years of industry experience, has been with SchenkelShultz for the past six years. DeLora, a project architect and project manager, joined the firm in 2012. Rauch has been with the design firm for six years.

Matt Dickerson was named assistant project manager in the Raleigh office of Precision Walls, a plastering and drywall specialty contractor based in Cary, N.C. Dickerson is a recent graduate of East Carolina University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in construction management. The company also announced that Nick Hermann has joined the firm as a sales estimator.

John Ziebarth has joined Tampa-based retail architectural specialist api(+) as studio director for the food services group. Ziebarth, a registered architect, most recently served as brand design manager for Orlando-based Darden Restaurants. As studio director, he will lead brand strategy design, construction documentation and construction administration services. He has 22 years of related experience.

Jason Hart, co-founder of CUBE Design + Research, Boston, has expanded the firm by opening an office in Chapel Hill, N.C. Currently, Hart is serving as chairman of the Chapel Hill Community Design Commission.

Ed Moncrief has joined J.E. Dunn Construction's Atlanta office as group manager leading the contractor's expansion into self-perform drywall services. Moncrief formerly owned New South Restorations, an Atlanta-based specialty firm that provided drywall services. The company plans to establish its drywall operation in Atlanta before expanding to other offices.

Adam Haimo has joined the law firm of Smith Currie & Hancock in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as a partner. Haimo previously worked at Bilzin Sumberg Baena Price & Axelrod in Miami, where he was a partner in the litigation practice group and headed the firm's construction transactional practice.

Bernie Johnson has joined Jacksonville, Fla.-based Stellar as business developer for the firm's thermal construction services division. Johnson has 25 years of construction industry experience.

The design, engineering, construction and mechanical services firm also announced the hiring of Justin Bridegan as marketing manager and Kristen Greene as marketing assistant. Additionally, Kirk Wendland was hired as director of business development for commercial projects. Wendland formerly served as president of the St. Johns County Chamber.

HNTB also named a senior vice president. Based in the firm's Tampa office, Irion serves as national aviation market sector leader. HNTB recently assisted with Tampa International Airport's new master plan.