Southeast People News for March 2020
Bob Lipscomb, a 33-year company veteran, has advanced from CEO to chairman at Orlando-based Williams Co. Elevated to CEO was Taylor Huddleston, who previously served as president. A 20-year company veteran, Huddleston began his career at Williams as a preconstruction manager and later served as director of preconstruction, vice president and executive vice president. Additionally, Chris Rollins was promoted to president. A 26-year company veteran, Rollins joined Williams as a project engineer and has previously served as senior vice president and COO. As president, Rollins will lead the company’s daily operations.
Moss Construction promoted Todd Willis to the position of vice president at its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Willis, who joined Moss in 2005, is a 23-year construction industry veteran. In his new role as vice president, Willis will be involved with business development, preconstruction, construction and project close-out.
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia installed Katie Leonard as its 2020 chairman at its annual business meeting. Leonard, a consultant with more than 18 years of experience in complex facility management, field operations, cost and risk analysis and procurement, is a partner at BDR Partners, with a specialization in health care and higher education capital investments. A LEED Accredited Professional, she earned a bachelor’s degree in building construction from Georgia Tech.
Other officers installed included: chairman-elect, Naren Patel, Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing; vice chairman, Mark Cleverly, McCarthy Building Co.; immediate past chairman, Joe Jenkyn, Katerra; and treasurer, Jack Godfrey, Greater Georgia Concrete.
Kaufman Lynn Construction, Delray Beach, Fla., promoted Tim Bonczek to the position of vice president of operational excellence. In this newly created position, Bonczek will be responsible for quality control, safety, training, technology research and the implementation of operational and interdepartmental efficiencies.
In Nashville, Turner Construction Co. has increased responsibilities for vice president and general manager John Gromos, who will take on a more regional focus as he continues to lead Turner’s Nashville, Memphis and Huntsville, Ala., offices.
The company also announced other appointments for the Nashville office. Kevin Williams was promoted from special projects division manager to business manager. In this role, he will lead the Nashville office. Also, Matt Nicholson was promoted to manager of the Nashville office’s special projects division, which oversees specialized interior construction projects up to $20 million. Suzannah Gills was promoted to business development manager from senior project manager. In her new role, she will be working with leadership to establish a strategic business plan and will be responsible for executing all sales activities and negotiating contracts, among other responsibilities.
Paul Pansing has been promoted to lead the transmission and distribution team for Burns & McDonnell in Charlotte, supporting clients across the Carolinas. He has more than a decade of experience leading engineering and construction teams on substation, overhead and underground transmission projects. He specializes in the engineer-procure-construct delivery method and storm hardening and energy projects.
Derick Thompson has joined TLC Engineering Solutions as the firm’s Orlando structural operations manager. Thompson, with more than 14 years of experience, will be working to enhance project delivery as well as identifying and pursuing opportunities to grow the firm’s structural practice regionally and nationally.
CROFT Architecture and Engineering, Kennesaw, Ga., promoted Kip Stokes to the position of senior vice president. The 26-year industry veteran, who will also become a shareholder, will continue to serve as the business unit director for CROFT’s higher education market sector as well as serve as principal in charge for the local government studio.
West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Verdex Construction launched an office in Gainesville, which will be led by Joey Mandese, who has been named vice president and managing director of the firm’s North Florida office. Mandese is a 30-year construction industry veteran who most recently worked as senior project manager for planning, construction and design at the University of Florida.
TranSystems Corp. hired Charles Bleam as senior project manager in its Orlando office. Bleam has more than 24 years of experience working with the Florida Dept. of Transportation.
John “JB” Billett has joined Stevens Construction to lead business development in the Central Florida market. Billett, who has 30 years of construction experience, will be responsible for identifying and pursuing potential project opportunities.
Ryen Clark has been hired as a civil designer at Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s Jacksonville, Fla., office. She will assist with design analysis and plan preparation. In Hanson’s Orlando office, Lucy Wilk was hired as a mechanical designer.
