Grilling food on the jobsite, linking to first responder phone networks, transporting crews by boat and housing workers in mobile trailers at a nearby airport are all ways Ryan Hamrick’s team worked around extraordinary obstacles to restore access to Florida’s Sanibel Island after its only link to the mainland was cut off when Hurricane Ian made landfall there last Sept. 30.
The skills that made that project a success had propelled Hamrick, a 20-year construction veteran, to division manager for Superior Construction. After Ian, a Category 4 hurricane, he helped lead the $100-million emergency effort to repair the Sanibel Causeway, navigating around power outages, a lack of cell phone service and shuttered businesses limiting supplies and food. Hamrick united people toward the project’s goal and found creative solutions to help thousands of people return to their homes. The team completed the repairs in 15 days—a week ahead of schedule.