Forty members of Alabama’s construction community were recognized by the Alabama Associated General Contractors at an event Thursday night in Birmingham. The AGC’s 2022 40 Under 40 were honored at Back 40 Beer Co.
Here’s a look at this year’s honorees:
David Albertson, 35
A Hurst Construction LLC team member for 12 years, David Albertson has served in various capacities as an apprentice, concrete foreman, metal building foreman and jobsite foreman. He was promoted to jobsite superintendent in 2020. Originally from Douglasville, Georgia, Albertson is married and has one daughter. He volunteers with the Ranburne High School band, where his daughter is a member.
Christopher Ammons, 26
Chris Ammons is a supervisor with Ammons & Blackmon Construction LLC. Ammons is the third generation to work at his family’s company. He is a graduate of Coastal Alabama Community College with an associate degree in business, but his learning didn’t stop with school. Immediately following college, he quickly learned the UTS-guided Wirtgen curb machine with Trimble machine control, as well as other GPS-guided equipment the company owns, becoming the 3D Model Builder for the company while supervising and operating specialized equipment in the field. He currently serves as a finish grade operating supervisor and layout surveyor. Ammons also serves as a steering committee member of the Mobile Section of AGC’s Construction Leadership Council and is an active member of the Baldwin County Road Builders Association.
Rachel Barnes, 34
Rachel Barnes is safety director for Safety Plus Inc. In this role she oversees safety program development and implementation for more than 200 companies nationwide. Previously she worked for the heavy haul and crane industry and the transportation industry with Barnhart Crane & Rigging, B&G Crane Services Inc. and Action Resources. She has a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in occupational health and safety from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Outside of work, she is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals – Mobile chapter, the ASSP – Women in Excellence, Alabama AGC and The Young Professionals – Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.
Wes Bowlin, 32
Wes Bowlin serves as a project manager for Brasfield & Gorrie LLC. With more than 10 years of commercial construction experience, Bowlin has successfully managed multi-million-dollar projects representing various industries. Throughout the projects, he brings a considerate and thoughtful approach to leadership, facilitating him in developing positive relationships with clients, architects, local officials and vendors while supporting the company’s objectives. He is well versed in contract negotiations, project estimating, budget management, resolving design problems, material purchasing and more. An Auburn University graduate, he also holds a number of certifications including LEED AP BD+C, ICRA I, OSHA 30HR, FAA Drone License, CPR and others. Through his church, Bowlin brings his skills to the disaster relief and skilled projects teams.
Ryan Brooks, 34
Ryan Brooks serves as senior vice president, legal for Construction Partners Inc. In this role, he oversees all legal operations for the publicly traded company and its subsidiaries, including Wiregrass Construction Co. of Dothan, with more than 3,600 employees across five states. Prior to joining Wiregrass, he was in private practice with Maynard, Cooper & Gale PC in Birmingham, where he represented public and private companies in a variety of corporate matters. Brooks holds a Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Auburn University. He is active in his community, volunteering and on the board of directors of CASA of the Wiregrass Region and previously served on the junior board of Grace House Ministries.
Grant Davis, 29
Grant Davis is a senior project manager with Doster Construction Co. An Auburn University graduate, he joined Doster in 2016 and is currently leading numerous Encompass Health projects. In his role as senior project manager, he is responsible for multiple project teams, including timely buyout, submittal review and submission, project cashflow, schedule monitoring and overall project delivery. He also is instrumental in the preconstruction and construction completion phases, supervising the closeout process and proactively addressing warranty concerns. “Grant is a team player and natural leader,” said Sarah Ramsey, who nominated Davis. “Grant’s main objective is to train others on the project management team to be fully functional leaders on their respective projects to allow them to grow in their careers at Doster. He is a great mentor to the project management staff and steers the course of the project to a successful completion.”
Randy Denham, 38
Randy Denham is a senior project manager with Caddell Construction. A graduate of the University of Central Missouri, Denham has experience in a variety of projects including correctional, higher education, sports, office and mission critical facilities. During his career, he has gained an unprecedented expertise in correctional construction, and is currently using that knowledge as senior project manager of the company’s largest prison project to date — the new $600 million facility for the state of Alabama. He also is active in the company’s hands-on corporate service opportunities, is a contributor to United Way, and he delivers Meals on Wheels during the holidays.
William Drennen, 35
William Drennen is the chief estimator for T. E. Stevens Co. Inc. A graduate of Harding University, Drennen has bid over $700 million worth of work for the company and played a critical role in the 300% growth in company revenues since he joined T. E. Stevens in 2015. In his current role, he has made improvements to the tracking systems and standardized the bid process for the company’s estimators, allowing for a more streamlined bid process. Drawing upon his knowledge as an estimator and project manager, he also has developed the company’s co-op training program, overseeing the hiring of co-ops and interns. Drennen continues to build relationships with vendors and subcontractors, ensuring continued success of the company.
Bennett Dulaney, 36
Bennett Dulaney serves as operations manager for S&ME Inc.’s geotechnical engineering and construction services business units in the company’s Huntsville location. Currently licensed as a professional engineer in seven states, Dulaney has worked on complex maritime and aviation projects, as well as developing high-level engineering solutions for federal and state agencies and private sector industrial and commercial clients. While attending the University of South Alabama, he served as AGC’s Student Chapter president and was awarded its annual scholarship. After graduation, he was an active member of the Mobile AGC Section’s CLC and continues his involvement with the North Alabama chapter now.
Luke Dyas, 38
A specialty division manager with United Rentals Trench Safety, Luke Dyas specializes in excavation and confined space safety. He started his career with United Rentals in 2008 as a manager-in-training before moving into sales in Baldwin County in 2010. Since then, he has managed locations in various metro markets across the Southeast before moving into the trench safety division in 2017, where he has overseen opening new locations in Pensacola and Mobile. A graduate of Spring Hill College, Dyas also holds an MBA from the University of New Orleans. He also serves the industry through his membership in AGC Mobile, Construction Leadership Council and the Central Gulf Industrial Alliance. When not working, he serves as a board member of Municipal Park Baseball in Mobile, and a booster club chair and parish guiding council member of St. Mary’s Catholic School/Church in Mobile. He also serves as a youth baseball and football coach.
Greg Elmore, 29
Greg Elmore has worked with McElhenney Construction as senior project engineer for five years. A graduate of the University of South Alabama, he started as a design engineer at Neel-Schaffer Inc., during which time he helped collaborate on a variety of roadway projects that include drainage analysis, design and layout. He also has experience working for home builders and landscaping businesses. During his time with McElhenney, he has led a team of skilled labor and operators building The Launch at ICW, ALDOT bridge emergency response repairs and numerous other projects. A licensed professional engineer, Elmore also has volunteered with ASCE Younger Members Group and AGC Mobile chapter.
Jonathan Elmore, 33
Jonathan Elmore is senior project manager with Marathon Electrical Contractors. After graduating from the University of Alabama with a civil engineering degree, he started working as an estimator. Since then, he has worked his way up to his current position, now having 10 years of construction experience with six of those years at Marathon. He currently is managing the new Baptist Hospital project in Pensacola, Florida, for Marathon.
Michael Garber, 35
Michael Garber is vice president of management services for Fite Building Co. He has played a major role in constructing some of Alabama’s most visible and transformative structures, such as the Protective Life Stadium in Birmingham, Jordan Hare Stadium in Auburn, Barber Motorsports Museum in Birmingham and the University of North Alabama Science and Engineering facility. He currently is leading the construction management team on the new Alabama Graphite Products facility in Kellyton — the only graphite refining facility of its kind in the state. Born in Mexico, Garber is an Auburn University graduate and worked his way up through the trades, learning most positions on the jobsite — experience he draws from as Fite’s Birmingham office manager. He also is a serial entrepreneur with endeavors in industrial real estate development, construction equipment sales and leasing, graphic design and apparel.
James Griffith, 33
James Griffith began his career at BL Harbert International in 2017 as a senior estimator for the U.S. Federal Group, though his career in construction spans more than a decade. An Auburn University graduate, Griffith has led procurement efforts for more than $750 million in construction projects. His experience includes design-bid-build and design-build projects spanning heavy civil construction, ranging from airfield pavement and bridge replacement to complex campus-style vertical construction projects. Griffith also is active in the community, serving as an advocate for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Big Oak Ranch and Mary Ellen’s Hearth/Embrace Alabama Kids. He also is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers.
Spencer Harris, 34
Spencer Harris is managing account executive with Travelers, managing the firm’s construction surety operations for Alabama. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, he began his career in the insurance industry and has devoted the last six years to construction surety. In 2021, he was tapped to lead Travelers’ Birmingham office. When not in the office, Harris serves as an active member of the Birmingham chapter of AGC and is a past president of the Alabama Surety Association. He also is an avid golfer and enjoys fishing.
Jackson Hill, 34
Jackson Hill began working at BL Harbert International in 2020. In his role as counsel, he works with U.S. Group project teams and helps negotiate prime contracts and subcontracts, addresses corporate and project-specific legal issues and manages disputes. His experience spans multiple markets, as well as federal government contracting. Prior to BL Harbert, he worked as an associate in the construction group at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University Law School. He is on the board of Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham and a member of United Way of Central Alabama’s Young Philanthropist Society and Citizens Church.
Landon Hoppe, 39
As a senior technical coordinator for Caddell Construction’s international team, Landon Hoppe currently provides leadership on four embassy projects around the world — in Turkmenistan, India, Greece and Italy. He began his international career as a Cleared American Worker while in college at Texas A&M University, working for Caddell on its U.S. Embassy project in Beijing. He joined Caddell 14 years ago and has since risen through the ranks to his current position. He also serves as the chair of Caddell’s strategic planning committee, setting up the company’s near- and long-term goals. Hoppe also supports missionaries on the foreign field and is active in his college’s alumni association and Caddell’s hands-on corporate service opportunities.
Joe McAleer, 34
Joe McAleer is a sales representative for the Alabama division of Bayou Concrete. He has played an integral role in securing multiple projects of varying scales throughout the greater Mobile area, including expansions at AM/NS, Plant Berry and Plant Lowman. He is a graduate of the University of South Alabama and is very active within the Alabama AGC, serving as chairman of AGC’s 2022 Bonanza Day. In addition, he is active in the Mobile section CLC steering committee. As an avid outdoorsman, he serves on the boards of the Alabama Wildlife Federation and the Mobile County Wildlife Federation.
Carly Miller, 33
A partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, Carly Miller has been in the firm’s construction and procurement practice group for the last nine years, providing legal advice on a variety of construction projects. A member of the Birmingham chapter of AGC for five years and the local Construction Leadership Council chapter, Miller also is an associate fellow of Construction Lawyers Society of America. Engaged in the construction industry, Miller has successfully pursued or defended large construction claims for the firm’s clients, including a hydroelectric tunnel power project on behalf of an energy owner, a large hospital complex on behalf of a general contractor and a complex polyethylene plant on behalf of an engineering firm. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Tulane University Law School.
Josh Miller, 39
The North Alabama asphalt operations manager for Wiregrass Construction Co. Inc., Josh Miller has been in the construction industry for more than 15 years. He started his career in quality control testing asphalt before moving into ready-mix dispatch and then managing more than 120 dump trucks in two states hauling aggregates, asphalt and salt. Through that role, he set up a just-in-time delivery system that incorporated telematics. He then gained experience in estimating and project management before taking his current position. He is a graduate of Columbia College and the University of Alabama.
Justin Morris, 35
Since 2005, Justin Morris has served as field operational manager for Morris Builders LLC, a residential building corporation in Prattville. In his position, he coordinates all construction, ensuring the timeliness of projects and their budgetary requirements. Additionally, he devises plans of action for multiple construction crews and tracks daily project costs within defined budgets. He also is responsible for upholding OSHA safety and environmental policies. Morris has overseen several projects in Alabama including at Selma High School, the Crampton Bowl in Montgomery and the Troy University Dining Hall. He holds an associate degree in business administration from Concordia College and is OSHA 30 certified, as well as being a certified heavy equipment operator.
Bryan Myers, 36
Bryan Myers is regional preconstruction director for Brasfield & Gorrie. A graduate of Auburn University with a mechanical engineering degree, Myers began his career at Brasfield & Gorrie and soon was promoted to assistant project manager. He quickly rose through the ranks of the Infrastructure Division to his current position, where he presides over multiple divisions. A licensed professional engineer, he oversees all projects in Region 5 from an executive level. He also helped establish an internal engineering committee, where he helps develop protocols, priorities, parameters and specific work assignments for the company’s in-house construction engineering efforts. He also contributes to the community through involvement in various professional, volunteer and civic organizations, including the Auburn Young Alumni Council and the Mechanical Engineering External Advisory Board, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity and others.
Manny Norrell, 29
Manny Norrell has been with Doster Construction Co. for six years and currently serves as senior project manager, leading Doster’s special projects division. He is a graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in biosystems engineering. He has led projects on nearly every health care campus in Birmingham. Norrell is a member of the Alabama Society of Healthcare Engineering, Birmingham Medical Group Management Association and on the steering committee of Alabama AGC’s Construction Leadership Council. He also volunteers annually with the Baptist Health Foundation, Children’s Harbor and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Hector Orozco, 34
Hector Orozco is an innovation engineer with Dunn Construction Co. A graduate of Universidad Rafael Landivar, he also holds a master’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is a licensed professional engineer. At Dunn Construction, Orozco has successfully implemented a materials delivery solution that helps optimize cycle times, reducing trucking costs and improving paving operations. He also has enhanced the company’s equipment cost control and tracking systems and promoted the use of unmanned aerial vehicle technology in the field. “He’s a great engineer, with technical knowledge, and he is great at digging deeper and understanding construction processes and organizations to their fullest,” said Amber Kinney. When not on the job, Orozco serves as vice president of the American Society of Civil Engineers Birmingham branch, supporting its educational pursuits and advancing technology within the industry. He also is a member of the ASCE Young Members Region 5 advisory board, where he chairs the resources guide committee.
Stephen Padgett, 30
Stephen Padgett is an account representative for Davison Fuels & Oil, focusing on his accounts throughout Alabama and along the Gulf Coast. With more than 10 years of experience in the industry, Padgett consults with customers on the most cost-effective ways to purchase their petroleum needs, including fuels, lubricants, bulk tanks and equipment. While his main focus is on servicing the construction industry, he also handles industrial, transportation and agriculture accounts. He is an active member of the Alabama Trucking Association and the Transportation and Logistics Club.
Scott Patrick, 35
Scott Patrick started in the construction industry at 19 with Crane America Services, serving as a service technician, performing mechanical, electrical and metal fabrication. He also has performed OSHA, ASME and CMAA inspections. Since then, he has worked for a number of other companies and now serves as vice president of Compass Industrial, where he oversees sales and operations. In this role, he interacts with customers, suppliers and technicians and oversees all field operations, including training of technicians. He also responds to field electrical and mechanical troubleshooting.
Chad Peed, 39
Chad Peed is traffic control manager with C&H Construction Services LLC. This role places him in charge of all traffic control operations, including scheduling, layouts and personnel. Peed started with C&H in 2016 as foreman. As the company’s traffic control operation grew, he was named general superintendent for traffic control in 2018 and tapped as traffic control manager in 2020. He is an American Traffic Safety Services Association-certified Traffic Control Technician and Traffic Control Supervisor, as well as being Florida Maintenance of Traffic intermediate certified.
Chance Pierce, 31
Chance Pierce is a procurement manager for Cunningham Delaney Construction LLC. Prior to starting with Cunningham Delaney eight months ago, Pierce was an outside salesman with Ferguson Water Works in Loxley for seven years. He has an extensive background in construction and project management and currently manages several construction projects. He has been a member of the ACUA and AGC.
Matthew Pillsbury, 32
Matthew Pillsbury joined Pate Landscape Co. Inc. earlier this year as estimator. Since then, he has learned the landscape estimating world, where he examines plans, performs take-offs, calculates costs and writes proposals. He also provides oversight in project coordination and coordinates the purchasing of suppliers and working with architects and general contractors. Pillsbury also has a master of divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary. When not working, Pillsbury enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.
Lee Pittman, 30
Lee Pittman is business development manager for Pittman Tractor Co., which he joined in 2018. “Lee has strong leadership characteristics that keep everyone within the company progressing forward and on the same page to grow,” said Alex Bradley, who nominated Pittman. Prior to his employment with Pittman Tractor, Pittman worked with Rockwell Automation. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a bachelor’s degree in commerce and business administration with a specialization in finance. He also is active as treasurer of the Baldwin County Road Builders, and a member of the University of South Alabama’s Real Advice Mentoring Program, AGC, the Mobile Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders Program and the Associated Equipment Distributors.
Taylor Reeves, 24
Taylor Reeves is an A&S project salesman for S&S Sprinkler Co. LLC. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Mississippi State University. Outside of work, Reeves serves as a Volunteer Younglife Leader in Mobile, an AGC Mobile chapter CLC steering committee member and a Young Professionals of Mobile with the Mobile Chamber of Commerce.
Kara Rider, 38
Kara Rider decided to follow in her dad’s and brother’s footsteps, joining the construction and engineering industry more than 10 years ago. She currently serves as marketing coordinator at Goodwyn Mills Cawood, where she helps the team with project proposals, presentations and other marketing materials. She is a member of the Mobile Section CLC Steering Committee and the South Alabama Fellowship of Christian Athletes Charity Clay Shoot board. A graduate of Auburn University, she also enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family.
Colin Rutledge, 38
Colin Rutledge is a project manager and estimator for Dunn Building Co. LLC. A graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, Rutledge joined Dunn Building in 2015 after a few years in the commercial construction, shipbuilding and engineering industries. During his time with Dunn Building, he has managed many of the company’s largest design build projects to date. He recently completed FMI’s Project Managers Academy and is a graduate of Dunn University’s IMPACT group. The goal of IMPACT is to pool the experiences and ideas of up-and-coming leaders from each of the Dunn Companies to improve the Dunn family as a whole. He is also involved with the AGC Mobile chapter and belongs to a mystic society in Mobile.
Brian Scivley, 34
Brian Scivley is a senior project manager and engineering manager with T. E. Stevens Co. Inc. Since joining the company in 2017, Scivley has played a vital role in the growth of the company, particularly in the operations division. An Auburn University graduate, Scivley used his knowledge in project management to build the database the company uses today. In 2019, he oversaw the implementation of the first satellite-connected equipment to streamline surveying for the company, which has now grown into the smart construction division. Today, he oversees the smart construction division, managing several multi-million-dollar projects, including the two largest contracts in the company’s history. When not at work, Scivley enjoys volunteering at Big Oak Ranch.
Phillip Simmons, 34
Phillip Simmons is strategic account manager with United Rentals, where he has worked for nine years. He has served in multiple roles over the years, beginning as a manager in training to his current position. He is a dedicated AGC member, having served as associate president in 2017. Simmons is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in business management. He and his wife, Hannah, have four children and enjoy time on their farm.
Ben Sims, 38
Ben Sims is vice president of project management for Bailey-Harris Construction Co. A graduate of Auburn University, Sims has more than 13 years of experience in project management, having managed general construction, construction management and design build projects. In his current role, he provides leadership, oversight and support to the project management staff across all active projects. Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family and is active in his church, where he chairs the men’s ministry.
Preston Smith, 33
Preston Smith has worked with Capstone Building Corp. for almost 10 years and currently serves as a senior estimator and a Capstone shareholder. A graduate of East Tennessee State University, Smith began his career with Capstone as a project engineer and was promoted to assistant superintendent before moving into the corporate office. In his current role, he manages all preconstruction activities and team estimating, including client, subcontractor and vendor relations. “Preston is highly skilled at setting up projects for success due to his continued relationships with subcontractors and vendors. His understanding of the process and compassion for trade partners within our industry sets him apart from his peers,” said Carl McKinney, who nominated Smith.
Chris Thompson, 36
An Auburn University graduate, Chris Thompson is the quality control manager for Rabren General Contractors. Tasked with building the company’s quality control program from the ground up in 2020, Thompson draws upon his 12 years of commercial construction experience to ensure that project teams promote the quality control responsibilities while engaging with subcontractors, vendors and consultants to ensure the projects result in the clients’ satisfaction. He also is responsible for seeing that team members receive training classes on operations. In addition to working with project teams, he was chosen for Rabren’s 2022 leadership development program, which focuses on self-awareness, self-leadership and influence.
William Woo, 36
William Woo is senior project manager at Marathon Electrical Contractors LLC. He has worked in the construction industry for 14 years, eight of them with Marathon. In his current role, Woo is responsible for labor and cost analysis, labor and material projects, scheduling of materials and manpower, estimating and coordinating with in-house 3D modeling. He also manages all aspects of safety and quality. He is a graduate of Auburn University and holds additional credentials from OSHA.
Chad Yeager, 39
Chad Yeager’s love for architecture and mechanical design started at an early age. While in high school, he enrolled in autocad courses, which carried over into junior college. At that point, he joined the U.S Marine Corp, from which he retired to rejoin the skills trade. As a project manager and estimator for Johnson Contractors, Yeager currently specializes in projects in precision alignment, robotics, industrial maintenance and construction, nuclear facilities and government contracts. He uses his experiences in the military and construction to procure and oversee a wide range of industrial and specialty projects. He also has headed up the CLC group for the Shoals Section’s community service project, STAR Playground.
This list originally appeared in the September 2022 issue of Business Alabama magazine.