www.enr.com/articles/12254-enr-southeasts-2012-top-20-under-40

ENR Southeast's 2012 Top 20 Under 40

January 9, 2012
ENR Southeast's Top 20 Under 40

There's plenty of cause for concern about the design and construction work force these days. Many good workers have lost their jobs, and some have likely left the industry altogether. At times like these, though, it's good to remember that there are many younger, talented members of the industry who are working hard to do good and even great things for themselves, their companies, their industry and their communities.

With that in mind, ENR Southeast is proud to present, for the second year, a new class of the Top 20 Under 40.

For the competition, ENR Southeast solicited nominations, including self-nominations, from its readers—both on line and in print. Nominees were not only required to be under 40, they also had to be located in the four states the publication covers—Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas.


Related Links:

ENR Southeast's 2013 Top 20 Under 40
ENR Southeast's 2011 Top 20 Under 40


This year, there were 37 nominees. To win, nominees had to excel in three areas: industry involvement, community service and contributions to landmark or sustainable projects in the region.

An independent panel of judges scored each nomination. Two of this year's four judges were previous winners of the Top 20 Under 40 designation: Kris Lengieza, construction model manager with The Weitz Co., West Palm Beach, Fla., and Ryan Wathen, senior vice president, Rodgers Builders, Charlotte, N.C. This year's other judges were Ken Cristol, president of Cristol Marketing Co., Longwood, Fla., and Brian Mulligan, director of business development, Evergreen Construction, Atlanta.

From the executive office suites to the jobsite, these emerging Southeast leaders are making their marks in an industry that each of them loves. Whether they are working to improve industry standards, focusing on ways to give back to their respective local communities or innovating on the jobsite, each of the 20 people recognized has earned the accolade of one of the Top 20 Under 40.

ENR Southeast invites you to read on and, perhaps, get inspired by these young professionals.

 

ALDRIDGE

William Russell Aldridge
LEED-accredited superintendent is tech-savvy and client-focused
39, Senior Superintendent
Hardin Construction Co., Rincon, Ga.

Russ Aldridge is the embodiment of the modern field operations executive—well-educated, tech-savvy, client-oriented and community-responsive. But "people skills" may be his most valuable attribute. Aldridge's integrity and dedication reassure each owner he works for that the project is in good hands. A host of award-winning projects, including Georgia Southern University's Centennial Place Student Housing complex in Statesboro and the Mall of Georgia at Mill Creek in Buford, testify to the trust Aldridge establishes with clients. He also serves on Hardin's "tech squad," a team that evaluates new engineering and jobsite technologies.

 

BOBO

Loreen Bobo
Named to project team for Orlando's upcoming I-4 rebuild
35, Assistant Maintenance Engineer
Florida Dept. of Transportation, Orlando

Loreen Bobo's list of industry accomplishments is already a lengthy one, and likely to grow further in the near future. Last year she was recognized as the Florida Dept. of Transportation's District 5 Employee of the Year. In 2010, the American Society of Civil Engineers selected her as the National Edmund Friedman Young Engineer of the Year. Bobo's community outreach efforts are numerous, and include work with Habitat for Humanity as well as serving on the advisory board for the Dept. of Civil Engineering at the University of Florida. Now serving as assistant maintenance engineer, Bobo has plenty of construction experience, too, having been project manager for the Interstate 4/S.R. 408 interchange project in Orlando. She is currently on the team for the proposed $3-billion, 20-mile reconstruction of I-4 through Orlando.



DENN

Heather Denny
Rose from estimator to company president in 16 years
38, President
McDonald York Building Co., Raleigh, N.C.

Heather Denny's education didn't end when she completed her engineering studies at North Carolina State University. Her 16-year career at McDonald York Building Co. has been a journey of discovery through her myriad experiences as an estimator, cost control analyst, project manager, assistant project director, chief operating officer and, since 2010, president. Denny is the first woman to head a Raleigh-based contractor and the first non-family member to lead the 101-year-old firm. But to her, those distinctions are secondary to her primary mission—achieving positive outcomes for her company, its clients and the community through leadership and communication. Denny serves on the boards of several organizations, including the American Heart Association and the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

 


 

FIX

Eric Fix
Led a 67-phase health-care project and gave back to the community
38, Senior Project Manager
KBR Building Group, Charlotte, N.C.

Project teams regularly demonstrate their ability to overcome challenges, but few have the opportunity to prove their mettle through 67 phases of construction, as did Eric Fix and his staff for five years on the $141-million Carolinas Medical Center-Pineville Expansion and Renovation project near Charlotte. Combining his technical knowledge and experience with a passion for continuous improvement, Fix inspired his team to do the right thing for the client. And while working on the Wake Forest Baptist Health building program in Winston Salem, N.C., Fix helped build a Ronald McDonald House, which provides lodging for the families of children undergoing cancer treatment.

 


 

FORTE YOUNG

Michelle Forte Young
Used personal savings to start her own full-service construction firm
39, President-CEO
Forte Young Inc., Orlando

Michelle Forte Young received two other nominations for this year's Top 20 Under 40 competition in addition to the one she submitted. It is easy to see why. In 2007, Forte Young used $20,000 in savings to found full-service construction company Forte Young Inc., Orlando. After struggling through the first year with just $18,000 in revenue, the company is now in much better shape. In each of the past two years, Forte Young Inc.—or FYi—has earned more than $6 million in revenue, according to its president and CEO. A women-owned business enterprise, FYi is currently working with contractor Brasfield & Gorrie on the Veterans Administration Medical Center project in Orlando. Forte Young says her company is already "committed to philanthropy," and it has provided assistance to a long list of nonprofit organizations, including the Coalition for the Homeless, the Orlando Union Rescue Mission, Edgewood Children's Ranch, Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross. "My reputation is everything to me," she says. "I love the construction industry. It challenges me, but it is rewarding."

 


 

GLINN

MacAdam Glinn
Skanska's national business development leader for aviation-related projects
35, Vice President-Aviation
Skanska USA Building, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Now in his second stint with Skanska USA Building, MacAdam Glinn is the contractor's national business development leader for aviation projects. He has helped the firm land three projects, including contracts in the Midwest, the West Coast and the Southeast. Glinn, who formerly worked as a senior manager for special projects with Parsons Corp., also has distinguished himself as a rising lawyer in Miami-Dade County and is still a member of the Florida Bar Association. Industry involvement is important to Glinn as well. He recently co-chaired the Builder's Association of South Florida's Commercial Builders Council and has served as a guest lecturer at Florida International University's School of Construction Management.

 

 

 

GROHMAN

Tony Grohman
Health-care construction expert serves as mentor
36, Senior Project Manager
KBR Building Group, Charlotte

Tony Grohman is proof that experience is truly the best teacher. Getting a head start on his career with six co-op quarters at the University of Cincinnati, Grohman has found a learning opportunity in every project, regardless of its size. His commitment to constant learning has served him well in dealing with the complexities associated with health-care facilities across the Carolinas. Grohman's work includes the $94-million Mount Pleasant Hospital and Medical Office Building for Roper St. Francis Healthcare in Mount Pleasant, S.C.; the ICU Tower Expansion at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, S.C.; and the $12-million emergency department expansion and renovation at Beaufort, S.C., Memorial Hospital.

 


 

JAVED

Adnan Javed
Working to improve approaches to stormwater rehabilitation projects
35, Stormwater Engineer
Sarasota County Government
Sarasota, Fla.

Get ready to call Adnan Javed "Doctor Stormwater." This spring, the Sarasota County project manager and stormwater engineer is scheduled to earn his doctorate in public works from the University of Florida. A 17-year industry veteran, Javed has been responsible for the development and prioritization of the county's Stormwater Infrastructure Repair and Replacement Program—aimed at improving the county's approaches to stormwater rehabilitation projects—and is leading the creation of the first SWIRP manual. For Javed, the emphasis on education includes sharing knowledge and encouraging others. For two years he has chaired the state science fair project for the Florida section of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He also serves as a member of the Florida Stormwater Association's education committee.


 

KING

Kelvin King
Former federal employee rescued contractor's Atlanta operations
37, Senior Project General Manager
Centennial Contractors Enterprises, Atlanta

In 15 years, Kelvin King has come full circle, both personally and as a construction professional. Following his graduation from the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Atlanta native served as a federal contracting officer, managing millions of dollars worth of construction projects. He then brought his unique perspective as an owner and engineer to Centennial Contractors, cultivating new and expanded customer relationships across much of the U.S. as the company's director of market development. In 2009, King was asked to come home and apply his skill and savvy to the company's struggling Georgia operation. Under his leadership, the office has posted year-over-year revenue growth of 140%. King has also more than doubled the staff, while adding three new multiyear contracts potentially worth more than $30 million. In addition, he has created a construction safety program for the Central Association of Physical Plant Administrators.

 


 

KIZIAH

Matt Kiziah
Leading construction of his firm's headquarters while in his late 20s
31, Project Manager
Suffolk Construction Co., West Palm Beach, Fla.

Perhaps it was his experience as a member of the University of Florida's competitive design-build team that helped Matt Kiziah develop his exceptional skill for finding solutions to tricky situations. The 31-year-old project manager has earned a reputation at Suffolk Construction Co. as the "complex projects" expert because of his penchant for offering innovative and cost-effective solutions for clients and team members. Immediately after a promotion to project manager in 2008, Kiziah, then in his late 20s, was assigned the task of leading the construction of Suffolk's headquarters in West Palm Beach, where he served not only as project manager but also worked in a design-build role as the owner's representative. Kiziah is now leading another complex project, the South Florida Water Management District's Environmental Services Laboratory in West Palm Beach.

 


 

LAAS

Michael Laas
Developing an official green rating system for infrastructure
31, Project Manager
Gannett Fleming, Miami

A project manager in the Miami office of global infrastructure consultant Gannett Fleming, Michael Laas is making significant contributions to some of South Florida's most high-profile transportation projects. In his current assignment managing rail projects for the Florida Dept. of Transportation's District 6, Laas is applying cutting-edge concepts to a transit mode expected to become a significant part of the region's transportation landscape. He was also part of FDOT's Florida's Turnpike Service Plaza Strategic Plan initiative. There, he provided guidance on the design and operation of the turnpike's service plazas. Laas currently serves on a committee charged with developing an official infrastructure green rating system for the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.

 


 

LILLISTON

Andrew “Toby” Lilliston
Oversaw demanding health-care project for Novartis
37, Project Manager
KBR Building Group, Durham, N.C.

Toby Lilliston brings a refreshingly calm, "steady-as-he-goes" demeanor to his assignments, a quality appreciated by colleagues, subordinates and clients in the life-sciences sector. Lilliston has applied his commonsense approach to solving construction challenges while managing more than 13 projects ranging in value from $2 million to more than $50 million. At the top of the list in his portfolio is Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics' Quality Control Laboratory and Administration Building in Holly Springs, N.C., which has an annual production capacity of up to 50 million doses of influenza vaccine.



McALISTE

Jenn McAlister
Industry involvement includes focus on green building efforts
35, Project Manager
Willis A. Smith Construction, Sarasota, Fla.

Jenn McAlister got off to a fast start in the construction industry. Less than three years after graduating from the University of Florida, she was managing projects valued at as much as $4 million. Today, coordinating the complexities of educational facilities, hospitals, hotels, sports complexes and other projects has become routine. And she is now also working in business development. As a board member for the local U.S. Green Building Council, McAlister is working with leaders of North Port, Fla., to develop a Green Workforce program. Another of her initiatives, with Port. St Lucie County, will create a low-interest micro-loan program for homeowners and small businesses to make energy conservation improvements to their buildings. McAlister also serves on the boards of Sustainable Florida and the Leadership Sarasota County Program.

 


 

OATES

Heidi Oates
Young marketer involved with state DOT committee and charities
26, Marketing Manager
Triplett-King & Associates, Rock Hill, S.C.

What began as a part-time job in college has evolved into a rewarding career for Heidi Oates. In addition to collaborating with Triplett-King's division managers to develop successful proposals for projects ranging in price from $11 million to $487 million, this year's youngest member of the Top 20 Under 40 is also active in a host of industry activities. Oates participates on the South Carolina Dept. of Transportation's disadvantaged-business-enterprise committee. She is also active with the Society for Marketing Professional Services and numerous charitable efforts, such as Habitat for Humanity, food drives, women's shelters and promotion of Triplett-King's Rob McKay Scholarship program.

 

 

 

RODGERS

Anthony Rodgers
Poised for success after a history of diverse construction experience
39, Project Superintendent
Balfour Beatty Construction, Orlando

Anthony Rodgers has done just about all there is to do in the field of construction. His experience includes working as a laborer, form carpenter and field engineer. He also participated in an internship for the city of Tallahassee's streets and drainage division. And he has done stints as an independent contractor. Rodgers' experience is paying off for him and his company, Balfour Beatty. Rodgers' knowledge and leadership have been most in demand on complex, fast-tracked jobs. As manager of field operations for the $253-million Peabody Hotel Expansion in Orlando, he successfully navigated a tumultuous construction economy to keep the 1.2-million-sq-ft project on time and on budget. Rodgers also regularly gives back by conducting seminars and by chairing the Alumni Industrial Advisory Committee at Florida A&M University. In addition, he is a member of the education committee of the Orlando chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors. He also serves as Balfour Beatty's "college recruiting champion" and the company's university relations representative.

 


 

RYGIEL

Frank Rygiel
Becoming a leader in his local community of Pasco County, Fla.
37, Senior Project Manager
Batson-Cook Co., Tampa

Frank Rygiel believes the keys to success are hard work, transparency and a commitment to each client's success. He also believes that opportunity can be found in every problem. His career includes leading a host of important projects in the Tampa Bay area, including a 12-story affordable-housing project in St. Petersburg called The Portland and the Tampa Museum of Art. Rygiel has also brought his skills and "can-do" attitude to the community. As a member of Leadership Pasco, he helped raise nearly $250,000 to help fund construction of a K-9 command post for the Pasco County sheriff's department. He also serves on the board for the Pasco-Hernando Community College Foundation.

 


 

SCHNEIDERMAN

Jim Schneiderman
Pushes team to apply cutting-edge technology to bridge projects
36, Area Manager
PCL Civil Constructors, Raleigh

Construction leaders often do more than build projects. As Jim Schneiderman demonstrates, they also inspire others to explore new and better ways to solve problems. Schneiderman has consistently nurtured creative thinking among his project teams, especially in the area of field applications for cutting-edge technology. For the towers of the Gilmerton Bridge project in Norfolk, Va., where Schneiderman is the operations manager, field crews are using 3D modeling tools to improve quality, safety, productivity and work performance. His latest assignment is the $215-million replacement of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge across the Oregon Inlet in North Carolina.

 


 

SCHRIEBER

Mark Schrieber
Green building advocate involved with several notable projects
26, Project Manager
The Spinnaker Group, Weston, Fla.

Less than four years out of college, Mark Schrieber has already established himself as an expert and leader within South Florida's green-building sector. He achieved the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Accredited Professional certification before he graduated from college, which allowed him from the beginning of his work career to be involved in the region's pioneering green projects. These include Clifton Hotel, Florida's first LEED-Gold hospitality project under the USGBC's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design green rating system. It also includes 1450 Brickell, the first LEED New Construction Class-A high-rise in Miami. Schrieber is an advocate for green design through his involvement in USGBC, locally and nationally. Schrieber also contributes his expertise in urban planning and sustainability to Miami's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.

 


 

SCOTT

Brandon Scott
Strives to find community service opportunities wherever he works
34, Project Executive
KBR Building Group, Atlanta

Despite traveling and living in seven states during his first 14 years working in construction, Brandon Scott has made it a point to find leadership and community service opportunities wherever he happened to land—all while fulfilling his responsibilities on major health-care projects. While working in New Mexico, for example, he volunteered with New Mexico Highlands University and participated in various hospital fundraisers. In Richmond, Va., Scott volunteered for the United Way, performed several hospital outreach programs with civic organizations and supported the local Habitat for Humanity. In Augusta and Savannah, Ga., he was involved with numerous organizations promoting active lifestyles, health literacy and nutrition. He also mentors past team members at other companies and helps advise engineering students at his alma mater, Clemson University.

 


 

SPRADLIN

Even Spradlin
Health-care projects push this executive to be his best
39, Project Executive
Batson-Cook Co., Jacksonville, Fla.

Hospital building may be one of construction's most promising markets, but it is also one of its most demanding. As a project executive for Batson-Cook Co., Even Spradlin uses strong leadership and problem-solving skills to successfully deliver health-care jobs. The 15-year veteran at the contractor has led teams on nearly $200 million worth of health-care projects in the greater Jacksonville area. This includes the 338,000-sq-ft tower addition at the operational Baptist Medical Center/Wolfson Childrens Hospital. The team for the 11-story building was challenged to make the most of limited storage and laydown space—all the while not disrupting Baptist/Wolfson's operations. When away from the jobsite, Spradlin has found time to assist with his church's food bank. He also regularly participates in Batson-Cook's shoot-for-a cure fundraiser. The event, both a clay shoot and dinner, raises funds for the state chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.