In Raleigh, Paul DePenning has joined JE Dunn as vice president of operations. DePenning has 37 years of industry experience and will oversee life sciences projects as well as Raleigh operations, including preconstruction, construction, building start-up and commissioning management of each project.

Also, Chyna Green has assumed duties as senior diversity and inclusion specialist for JE Dunn’s Carolina offices, including Raleigh. Her responsibilities include building relationships with women and minority suppliers, vendors and construction-related businesses and tracking diversity activities and results.

Gerald Consolo, a 28-year industry veteran, also joined the Raleigh office as a mechanical, electrical and plumbing services manager. In this role, he will focus on projects in the biotech/pharmaceutical, health care, industrial, aviation, manufacturing and central utilities infrastructure markets.

The contractor also hired Robert Sunukjian as senior construction and estimating manager in Raleigh. He previously served as a vice president of preconstruction and business development for another general contractor.

Jeff DeRocker, a 15-year industry veteran, also joined the firm as project manager.

John Muth has joined VHB’s Charlotte office as managing director. In this role, Muth will lead efforts to cultivate new client relationships and build out a fully integrated services practice while expanding the firm’s Charlotte presence.

Timothy P. Devine Jr. has joined Tampa-based architectural firm api(+) as vice president and director of operations. In this role, Devine is responsible for leadership of project delivery, staff development and development and maintenance of innovative technology. Devine previously served as associate principal-operations with Kansas City-Kan. based architectural firm Hoefer Wysocki.

Melsie Ordoñez has joined the integrated design firm Stantec as buildings engineering principal in its Miami office. In this role, Ordoñez will oversee and support engineering for hospitality, institutional and aviation projects while developing the local health care, lab-research facility and ports-marine markets. Ordoñez brings 21 years of experience in managing and designing mechanical systems for the health care, higher education and transportation markets.

Engineering firm Smith Seckman Reid has hired Kevin Rettich as director of technical leadership. In this position, Rettich will be responsible for the overall structure, systems and processes for technical effectiveness of the firm’s mechanical, electrical, plumbing, technology and medical equipment planning services.

Contractor Freese and Nichols has hired Tom Cross as senior project manager in its Tampa office. A 26-year industry veteran, Cross will lead transmission, utilities and pump-station projects for municipal clients across the Southeast. Cross has experience leading infrastructure and facility projects and master plan development for multiple Florida cities and counties, including Tampa, Clearwater, Daytona Beach and Hillsborough County.

Manhattan Construction Co. has appointed Melanie Jantschek as director of business development in Tampa. Jantschek will be responsible for overseeing new business acquisition and strategic account management for the Central Florida region. Jantschek has 22 years of experience working in the Florida design and construction industry.

Engineering and architectural planning, design and construction consulting firm TranSystems has added professional engineer John Grow to its Orlando office’s board of directors. He was elected to a three-year term and previously served as an adviser to the board. Grow serves as the regional senior vice president for TranSystems’ Florida region.

Paula Sims, adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flager Business School, has joined the board of directors of Raleigh-based engineering and survey firm McKim & Creed. “Paula’s academic background in engineering and business, coupled with her managerial and leadership experience with GE and Progress Energy, will be key to guide us to accomplish our goals and objectives,” said McKim & Creed CEO John Lucey.

Also joining McKim & Creed’s board of directors is Jeanne Cormier, president and CEO of Lochner. Of Cormier’s addition to the board, CEO Lucey stated: “Jeanne brings to our board the perspective from a CEO of an ENR No. 126 firm and someone who has worked her way up from an entry level position to become the CEO.”