Southeast People News for August 2018
Atlanta-based architectural and engineering firm Pond & Co. announced the promotion of Lorraine Green to president. Over the past 10 years, Green has been instrumental in growing Pond’s former fueling design group into the full-service energy division. “The ability to lead and define the future of such a talented group of people is an exciting opportunity,” Green said.
Suffolk hired Alexis Leal as vice president of operations for South Florida. Leal joins the contractor with nearly three decades of experience, including overseeing operations of preconstruction, estimating and strategic growth.
Carrie Rocha, vice president, was named HNTB Corp.’s Atlanta office leader. She previously served in a similar role for the firm’s Connecticut operation. Rocha brings 20 years of experience in transportation infrastructure project and construction management, contract administration and engineering for highways, bridges, tunnels, transit/rail, aviation and related facilities. She succeeds Jeff Parker, who left to become MARTA general manager and CEO.
In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Felix Vergara joined HNTB’s construction services practice as senior project engineer. In this role, Vergara will be responsible for contract management, administration and coordination on midsize to large projects in Florida. He has more than 34 years of experience.
In addition, Gunther Zurstadt joined the firm’s Southeast aviation practice in Orlando as senior project manager for aviation engineering. Zurstadt is responsible for managing design of aviation-related development, airfield expansion and rehabilitation projects.
Dotun Famakinwa has been promoted to principal with Burns & McDonnell. With more than 20 years of experience, Famakinwa has held a variety of roles, including project manager and lead project engineer. He currently oversees the firm’s transmission and distribution business for the Southeast.
Brent Scott joined Schnabel Engineering’s office in West Columbia, S.C., as a senior vice president and environmental consulting specialist. Scott will focus on expanding the company’s environmental services within the industrial and federal markets. A 29-year industry veteran, he recently worked for Cardno.
In Greensboro, N.C., Schnabel named Gerald Robblee a principal of the firm, with a focus on engineering and management of dams.
Skanska USA hired Mandy Weitknecht as vice president of business development for building operations in Central Florida.
Also in Florida, Skanska promoted Daimon Perez to director of environmental, health and safety for the company’s Florida building operations. He has more than 20 years of related experience.
In Durham, N.C., Skanska promoted Kelly Monroe to vice president of business development for its North Carolina/Virginia operations. Most recently, she served as senior director for Skanska’s market strategy solutions group, supporting the company’s aviation, health care, life sciences and data center markets.
Brenda van Ravenswaay has joined HDR’s Orlando office as client development director for the wastewater market. Before joining HDR, van Ravenswaay spent 30 years at CH2M, where she most recently served as a regional director for U.S. South and Latin America for the state and local government sector.
Curtis Long was promoted to executive vice president for Jacksonville, Fla.-based Superior Construction Co. Southeast. Long joined the firm in 2000 and supports construction operations and assists with the firm’s strategic vision.
In conjunction with the opening of a Charlotte office, Freese and Nichols Inc. hired Ed Dickson as a water resources and stormwater engineer.
Karla Matos-Velázquez, transportation designer, joined Hanson Professional Services Inc. She will serve as a consultant to the Florida Dept. of Transportation.
Associated General Contractors of Georgia elected Kevin Kuntz as the 2018-2019 chapter president. Kuntz is president of the Southeast division of McCarthy Building Cos. Other officers include: vice president, Brian Daniel, Carroll Daniel Construction Co.; treasurer, David Moody Jr., C.D. Moody Construction Co.; and secretary, Lyndy Jones, JCI Contractors.
Christopher Bentz joined McKim & Creed as a utility coordinator. He has 25 years’ experience with aerial and underground utilities.
Alex Straughn joined SchenkelShultz Architecture, Orlando, as a designer. Straughn, a former intern with the firm, recently earned his master’s degree in architecture.
Sheyda Livingston also joined the firm as a designer. She holds a bachelor’s degree of design in architecture from the University of Central Florida.
