SoutheastSoutheast Construction News

ENR Southeast's 2015 Top 20 Under 40

By Scott Judy

ENR Southeast's Top 20 Under 40 — In addition to his role as a managing principal with the Integral Group, Stanton Stafford currently serves as chairman and chief financial officer of the Lifecycle Building Center of Greater Atlanta, a nonprofit focused on bulk waste stream diversion through building material salvage and reuse, with a goal of diverting 1 million lbs of construction materials from the waste stream annually.

Photo courtesy Stanton Stafford

ELDER

Adrianne Elder
Business developer goes to great heights for charity
35, Business Developer
McKim & Creed
Raleigh

Although the recession claimed her engineering position at McKim & Creed in 2010, Adrianne Elder reassessed her career goals and returned to the firm later that year as a business developer. Firm leadership recognized her ability to connect with clients and build relationships, making her "the face of the firm." Since her return, Elder has become a leader in several state industry organizations, including the North Carolina American Water Works Association/Water Environment Association. Also, she has completed two events with Climb for Water, a group that scales some of the world's tallest mountains while raising money and awareness for Water For People.

FAMAKINWA

Dotun Famakinwa
Quickly earned recognition for his leadership
38, Substation Department Manager
Burns & McDonnell
Alpharetta, Ga.

In five years, Dotun Famakinwa has risen through the ranks at Burns & McDonnell, currently managing a team of 18 employee-owners in the company's transmission and distribution practice. He also manages the largest number of substation projects for Southern Co. and coordinates projects for Duke Energy Progress and Duke Energy Florida. For his efforts within the industry to advance his expertise and the reputation of the company, he is a three-time recipient of the company's Blue Quill Award. For the education and training he puts in to his team, Famakinwa is a two-time recipient of the company's Mortar Board Award.

GIBSON

Tony R. Gibson
Landscaping entrepreneur has led company to commercial success
39, President
Gibson Landscaping Services
Jonesboro, Ga.

Tony Gibson knows all about growing a successful business literally from the ground up. In 1998, the newly minted Auburn University landscape horticulture graduate started his company with little more than some graduation money and proceeds from the sale of a truck he'd bought as a teenager. Today, Gibson Landscape Services is a 130-employee, $12-million-per-year enterprise with an extensive portfolio of award-winning hardscape and landscape construction projects across the Southeast. Among the company's latest achievements is the recently completed $408-million Martin Army Community Hospital at Fort Benning, Ga. Gibson regularly returns to his alma mater to share his experiences, helping ensure there will be a bumper crop of new landscape construction professionals to tackle the challenges of the future.

HASSEL

Bill Hassel
Construction company president champions new approaches
39, President
Titus Construction Group
Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

When Bill Hassel launched Titus Construction Group in 2008, he wanted his specialty construction firm to lead the way in applying emerging technologies and practices. By championing the use of prefabrication, lean construction methods, 3D modeling and BIM processes, Hassel has enabled Titus to improve efficiency, reduce costs and deliver high-quality work for various projects, such as the renovation of Orlando's Citrus Bowl. Hassel has also implemented the latest effectiveness-enhancing technologies and strategies for Titus employees, including telecommuting, use of tablets for field supervisors and implementation of web-based project management software.

JEFCOAT

Joelle Jefcoat
Young architect earns a law degree and becomes general counsel
37, Associate General Counsel
Perkins+Will
Charlotte

For 11 years as an architect and project manager for Perkins+Will Inc., Joelle Jefcoat was involved with an impressive range of higher education, K-12 and commercial projects. But she wanted to do more for both her company and her profession. Recognizing the need for the next generation of design professionals to better understand the legal nuances of project delivery and their ever-evolving role in the construction industry, she pursued a law degree through a part-time evening program and was admitted to the North Carolina bar in 2012. Now, as Perkins+Will's associate general counsel, Jefcoat advises company leaders on contract challenges, innovations in project delivery and other matters related to professional design services and the construction industry. A highly sought-after speaker, Jefcoat is also active in the American Bar Association's Forum on the Construction Industry and the N.C. Bar Association AIA/Design Professionals Liaison Committee.

KEYWORDS: Southeast Top Young Professionals

Scott Judy is Deputy Editor for Regions, and editor of ENR Southeast, one of Engineering News-Record's 10 Regional publications. His roughly 27 years as a construction journalist began with an 11-year stint covering Midwest construction projects. In 2000, Judy helped launch the publication now known as ENR Southeast. He often delves into controversial aspects of the construction industry such as bankruptcies and fatal accidents, and wishes he would never have to cover another accident but suspects that he might.