


Across the Vecellio Group, our employees are our greatest resource, and the most valued asset in our businesses. Following the pandemic, we saw an increase of candidates lacking the skillsets needed for road and bridge construction and related industries. Because of this, training programs have been enhanced and have become a significant part of employee development and growth.
We encourage current employees to provide referrals to managers or HR if they know someone who may be a good candidate and is interested in working in a Vecellio Group business. Some individual businesses offer referral programs providing rewards for referred employees who are hired and make it through a probationary period.
Our employee base is also our best source for understanding the most desirable ways to retain good team members. Their input has led to recent changes to our vacation policies, 401(k) match, and more. We will continue to do the right thing, listen to our employees, and improve retention across the Group.
Sharpe Bros. is resurfacing multiple roadways as part of a 29map project throughout Alamance and Guilford Counties in North Carolina. The project consists of milling, shoulder reconstruction, asphalt surface treatment (AST), structure adjustments, striping and patching.
The work began in April of 2024 and will continue through Spring of 2025. More than 34 thousand tons of asphalt and a thousand tons of patching will be used by the time the project is completed.
Yair Alvarez, Paver Operator, and Alex Esquivel, Screed Operator (right) perform AST, giving more structure and stability to the existing roadway and helping prevent reflective cracking after the new asphalt is laid.
Hal Jones Contractor has begun a design-build project for the City of Jacksonville and Impact Development which works closely with the Jacksonville Jaguars project team and ownership.
The first phase of the project is a replacement of the existing steel sheet pile bulkhead wall that is approximately 850 ft. long (photo below). Crews will drive new sheets in front of the existing steel sheets, install deadmen (anchor points) and tie-backs, demolish the top of the existing wall to facilitate installation of the new wall, then pour the cap on top of the new wall.
The second phase of the project will consist of demolishing the existing marina, dredging the marina area, then installing a new marina with floating docks. The new marina will maintain 50 boat slips that can accommodate boats ranging from 35 to 400 feet in length.
also include a Four Seasons Hotel and a residential area of single family homes and
Ranger Construction crews were recognized by ACAF, Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida, for exemplary work on recently completed projects across South Florida.
Kenny Newhouse, Asphalt Lead, and his crew (shown in the photo below) were awarded District Four Roads & Streets Builder of the Year. This award was given in recognition of their work completed for East Pointe in Palm Beach Gardens.
Ezell German, Asphalt Foreman, shown with his crew (photo at right) received a 2024 Special Project of the Year on two separate projects. Runway
9-27 at Key West International Airport, and SR-91 Interchange with the Florida Turnpike. Ezell was recently recognized for celebrating 30 years of service at Ranger Construction.
In the photo below right, Johnny Green, Jr., Asphalt Foreman, stands proudly beside his crew. The team was awarded District Four Roads & Streets Builder of the Year for their outstanding work at Cabana Colony.
Congratulations to all crew members for their hard work and dedication to their craft. Great leadership builds great teams.
New business development efforts at various Vecellio Group businesses have seen very positive results throughout 2024. Because of that, hiring efforts have significantly increased in order to support new projects planning to launch over the next six months.
The Companies' Human Resources teams partner with multiple local and regional organizations and regularly participate in career fairs. These are great opportunities to get in front of interested potential candidates that may fit some immediate hiring needs.
In September, Ranger HR partnered with CareerSource of Palm Beach County and RoadSafe Traffic Systems at a hiring event for construction and trades. The three-hour event resulted in receiving applications from many qualified candidates for positions including flaggers, truck drivers, quality control technicians, and more. The Companies continues to do the right thing, and hire the best candidates to work on important infrastructure projects throughout the state of Florida.
Murray Logan Construction has been contracted by the City of Ft. Lauderdale to construct a new three-level, storm water pump station. The pump station is being designed in a small footprint to help control flooding within the Dorsey Riverbend community. This will be a fully automated pump station that will consist of three submersible pumps, capable of pumping 10,827 gallons per minute of storm water.
In the photos at right, crews set rebar as part of making the forms to pour concrete for the second level. Once poured and set, the level will be lowered to continue the third and final level. Crews will remove soil and standing water underneath the bottom level to slowly lower the pump station to its final depth to optimize the footprint of the station and allow it to provide maximum flood control for the immediate community.
The Palm Beach County Department of Airports awarded Ranger Construction a $20-million alternate bid project for asphalt, electrical and storm sewer upgrades, as well as pavement markings and the installation of new turf.
The photo shows the pavement demolition, sub-base and base construction for Runway 14-32 at the south end of Palm Beach Int’l Airport (PBIA) in West Palm Beach, FL.
Ranger was awarded the job in part due to the diligent work completed on a previous PBIA project that was completed more than 80 days ahead of schedule.
Earlier this year, Vecenergy’s South Terminal in Port Everglades, FL issued its one-millionth bill of lading for fuel shipped by truck to customers. The facility is located near Ft. Lauderdale, and was built from the ground up, opening for business in 2009.
The South Terminal is always open for business, 24/7/365, and receives jet fuel, gasoline, ethanol and diesel by ship. It dis-
tributes jet fuel by pipeline (below left) and tanker trucks, while all other petroleum products are distributed only by truck. There are 11 fuel tanks at the terminal, with a total capacity of about 60 million gallons of product.
The facility has a four-lane loading rack (below middle) that is fully automated for blending products as needed. This can
include combining premium, regular, ethanol and additives pumped from different tanks and metered to blend on-demand.
The petroleum market serviced by Port Everglades stretches from Ft. Pierce on the east coast of Florida, to Ft. Myers on the west coast, and all areas in between, all the way down to the southernmost point in Key West.
Vecellio & Grogan recently completed the deconstruction of two existing Range Markers and the construction of two new markers at the Port of Tampa Bay. When viewed in alignment from a vessel ;entering the port's channel, the Range Markers show the correct line for safe passage.
Crews built the markers from the ground up, one section at a time. The top section (near right, top) weighs 5,500 lbs. and was lifted using a crane jib system to ensure safe and proper placement.
The front Range Marker (near right, bottom) was constructed at 160 ft. in the exact location of the previous marker. The rear Range Marker (far right) was constructed at an elevation of 260 ft.
Future operation and maintenance of the markers will be under the purview of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Ranger Construction is currently providing a technique known as full-depth reclamation (FDR) on Waco Blvd. in Palm Bay, FL. The FDR process recycles deteriorated asphalt pavements and granular roads, and creates durable roadways that are both sustainable and cost effective for customers.
The method involves pulverizing the existing pavement and grinding that up with the underlying base to create a uniform material blend. Following that, emulsified liquid asphalt or Portland cement are added to the mix to form a homogeneous base (top right). This enhances the stability and durability of the reclaimed material. When the blended mix is graded evenly across the roadway (bottom right), and compacted (below), it creates a strong base for the new pavement structure.
By reusing existing roadway materials, FDR can significantly lower project costs compared to traditional construction methods. This reduction is primarily due to lower material and freight costs as well as decreased disposal fees. FDR minimizes waste which makes it a more environmental option helping customers meet any sustainability requirements.
The new base also results in a longer service life for the newly resurfaced roads. FDR is a quicker process compared to traditional methods, which significantly decereases traffic disruption, an additional benefit to the community. Using the FDR technique, Ranger is providing roadways that stand up to the test of time, and ultimately benefit their customers, community, and the environment.
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Vecellio & Grogan is constructing a new pedestrian bridge and concrete trail in Tampa, FL (part of the Pinellas Trail) that provides safe passage for foot traffic crossing the Lake Tarpon outfall canal. This will reduce the exposure of pedestrians to vehicle traffic in the area.
The bridge is being constructed on an inland lake so there is no ability to use typical barges. Because of that, sectional floats were assembled to access the work areas (top photo at right).
The rock layer at the bottom of the lake, consists of limestone and a layer of flint, which is extremely difficult to drill through. This caused crews to make additional efforts to complete drilling in a timely manner to maintain the aggressive project schedule.
The nearly $6-million project includes the 380 ft. pedestrian bridge and a concrete trail approximately three thousand feet in length.
by Jeff Romaine & JJ Smiarowski
Concrete piles are delivered by truck and lifted by crane onto a sectional float prior to being installed to support the bridge deck.
Ranger Construction is supporting community development in Palm Beach County, FL by widening and enhancing SeminolePratt Whitney Rd. in Loxahatchee.
The project includes milling and paving more than two miles of Seminole-Pratt Whitney Rd. from Orange Ave. to just north of Northlake Blvd. The $18-million contract includes the installation of four box culvert crossings, the installation of new signalized intersections, storm drainage, guardrails, fencing, and utilities.
The project began in February of 2022 and is schedudled for completion in January of 2026.
The Vecellio Family Foundation provides scholarship aid to selected graduating high school seniors across multiple schools in West Virginia, as well as eligible dependents of Vecellio Group employees.
The Foundation has been providing these important student programs since 1973, and 2024 is no different.
This year, the Foundation is once again supporting nine West Virginia high school students by granting each student a $10,000 scholarship. Each scholarship is disbursed over a four-year period to the schools being attended by the students.
The scholarships are made available to graduating seniors at specific West Virginia high schools. All recipients are selected by independent review boards - not by the Foundation or the Vecellio Group. Selections are based on students’ SAT/ACT scores, school transcripts and additional factors that help indicate a likelihood of future success.
Scholarships awarded through the Foundation’s West Virginia programs were established to give back to the communities where Vecellio & Grogan began building its business 86 years ago.
Jacob Lilly, a student from Shady Spring High School, received a Leo A. Vecellio, Sr. Memorial Scholarship. Jacob will attend the West Virginia University Institute of Technology.
Caylee Williams, representing Liberty High School, also received a Leo A. Vecellio, Sr. Memorial Scholarship. She has chosen to attend Concord University in Athens, WV.
Four students from Woodrow Wilson High School were selected to receive Foundation scholarships in 2024.
Violet Boyd is receiving a Leo A. Vecellio, Sr. Memorial Scholarship and is planning to attend Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C.
Gabrielle Bush is attending West Virginia University on a scholarship in memory of Rick Vecellio, the late brother of Leo Jr..
Kylie Norris is receiving the Al Janutolo Memorial Scholarship that will
assist her attendance at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia.
Presley Jarrell, the final Woodrow Wilson High School recipient for 2024, will receive the Wilburn & Helena Whitten Scholarship and attend Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA.
Independence High School senior, Lillian Honaker, is receiving a Leo A. Vecellio, Sr. Memorial Scholarship and will be attending West Virginia State University in the city of Institute.
Gabriel Lester, from McDowell County, West Virginia, is the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Dante Castrodale Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of Leo A. Vecellio, Sr.’s brother-in-law, a well-know physician in the area. Gabriel is attending Marshall University.
And this year’s recipient of the Rick Vecellio Memorial Conservation Scholarship/Youth Conservation Award is Carter Takarsh, who is attending Muskingum University in New Concord, OH.
The Vecellio Family Foundation also supports numerous other educational, civic and charitable organizations. At Virginia Tech, for example, an endowment supports not only scholarships and fellowships, but a full professorship.
The Vecellio Family encourages all employee dependents who would like to attend college to apply for a Leo A. Vecellio, Sr. Scholarship. This is a tremendous opportunity to help students who are dedicated to learning get their foot in the door of a higher education facility. Team members who may have questions about how to apply should contact their supervisors for more information.
Scholarships that are granted to dependents of current employees of Vecellio Group are given in memory of Leo A. Vecellio, Sr., one of the cofounders of Vecellio & Grogan.
Jaden Browning, son of Doug Browning, Controller at Ranger, will receive a Leo A. Vecellio, Sr. Memorial Scholarship. Jaden graduated from Suncoast High School, and achieved an SAT score of 1570.
Outside of school, Jaden was active in his community by teaching coding to young kids interested in learning more about that specific area of information technology.
Reading and chess are two hobbies that help him relax and keep his mind sharp until he begins the next phase of his education. Jaden will be attending the University of Florida in Gainsville where he will be majoring in Chemistry.
Ryleigh Butz, daughter of Cory Butz, Director of Marine Operations for Vecellio & Grogan, will also receive a distinguished Leo A. Vecellio, Sr. Memorial Scholarship.
Ryleigh graduated from Durant High School in Tampa, FL with a 3.8 GPA.
She will be attending Auburn University in Alabama, and will be majoring in Biomedical Sciences with a PrePhysician Assistant track.
The Vecellio Family Foundation, at its discretion, funds scholarships each year to dependents of employees of Vecellio Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries and divisions.
To be eligible, a student must be a graduating senior and be a dependent child (natural or adopted) of a Vecellio Group employee (any company or division) who has at least one year of continuous active employment prior to January 1st of the student’s graduation year (scholarship year).
A fully independent scholarship review and selection committee awards the employee dependent scholarships, choosing from among all eligible applicants. No one from the Vecellio Family Foundation, the Vecellio Group or any of its subsidiaries is involved in the decision.
Employee Dependent Scholarship applications are available to all eligible employees of all Vecellio Group companies. Contact your local Human Resources department for an application, which must be completed and turned in by March 1, 2025.
In Florida, employee dependents may also be eligible for scholarships from several trade associations, with eligibility requirements listed within their respective websites:
• Florida Transportation Builders Association (www.FTBA.com)
• Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida (www.FloridaRidesOnUs.org)
• Engineering Contractors Association of South Florida (www.ecasf.org)
• National Utility Contractors of South Florida (www.nuca.com)
At a third quarter Safety Meeting, Paige Weeks, Project Manager at Ranger Construction, addressed an issue not often discussed in safety meetings – mental health and its potential affect on employees.
Mental health is not something someone can always see. In fact, often, a person having an issue may not even realize it. That is why it is so important for supervisors and coworkers to be aware of key risk factors that could provide advanced warning:
• Chronic pain
• Always feeling under pressure
• Skills gap, feeling stuck
• Separation or isolation
• “Tough guy” mentality
• Financial challenges
• Sleep deprivation
• Alcohol & substance abuse
These are just some of the normal life challenges one can face on a daily basis. A sick loved one can have a significant impact as well and, if you’re a veteran, your risks increase even more.
We all face these challenges at some time in our adult life. Most of the time, we just write it off to having a bad day. But what if that isn’t the reason?
What if you could help a fellow employee just by asking “Hey, is
everything okay?” or “How’s the family doing?” or “Do you have a few minutes after work to talk?"
So, what are some of the things to look for when gauging the wellbeing of employees?
1. Observe the employee's overall health, including physical and emotional wellbeing.
2. Identify changes in the level of employee engagement on the job.
3. Monitor the employee’s social wellbeing – signs of aggression or withdrawal.
4. Is excess stress affecting their performance or decision making?
5. Be aware of any serious issues in their personal lives (i.e., family).
6. Measure the quality of work and if they seem to be losing interest. Through the Companies’ Employee Assistance Plans (EAP), all employees have free access to counselors if they are experiencing any issues related to mental health that may be causing problems in either their professional or personal lives. All calls to the EAP hotline (1-800-854-1446) are strictly confidential and no information will be shared with the Company.
Monitoring an employee’s wellbeing, and encouraging them to get help, is in the best interest of the employee, and everyone on the team.
Paige Weeks, Project Manager, presents CDC data on how mental health challenges can negatively impact safety and quality on the job, and why it is critical for all employees to be aware of even the smallest changes in the personality and performance of coworkers.
Safety on the job requires many hours of training, from both internal and external sources. Consultant 3M made separate third quarter appearances at Murray Logan’s office in West Palm Beach (July), and at Ranger’s third quarter Safety Meeting (Sept.) to reinforce ways to reduce the risk of falling on the job site.
It is important that employees always have both hands free for climbing and working at heights from six feet and up for construction. Tool belts, tethers and bags are an asset to any worker.
Tethers can hold from five to ten pounds with D-rings that
attach to a tool on one end, and a harness, tool belt or vest on the other. This can substantially reduce the risk of tool breakage or loss, as well as the “look out below” factor for other employees.
An additional safety feature of the fall protection tools is that they all require two safety movements to open. For example, D-rings must be twisted, then pushed open. The clips for the harnesses share the two safety movement feature.
It is also important to always inspect your anchor points –where you physically connect your harness. All anchor points must be able to support five
The two photos below show Murray Logan employees getting an early morning training session on fall protection devices, as well as a demonstration of the impact that occurs when an object weighing 200 lbs. falls to the ground from a height of 10 ft.
thousand pounds according to OSHA regulations.
Harnesses, with lanyards and retractables, are critical safety tools when working at higher elevations.
Lanyards are designed to absorb the shock of falling with deceleration systems built into each device, but can only be used
if there is at least 18 feet of fall space or the decelerator won't have time to work.
Retractables, on the other hand, immediately lock when they detect a person may be starting to fall.
To ensure success, always properly store and clean your devices, and inspect before each use.
above & right show a 3M representative presenting new products and reviewing safety regulations with Ranger managers, supervisors and executives at their third quarter Safety Meeeting.
The Vecellio Group welcomes new members of the management team (in italics), along with new and returning employees who have completed their introductory periods through September 30, 2024!
Hal Jones Contractor
Frank, Rodolfo U. –
Bridge Lead Bell Jr., Jimmy R. Flanders, Cedric L. Love, Noah S.
Spears, Johnathon D. Wilburn, Kenneth G.
Ranger Construction
Abbgy, Steven C.
Anglemyer, Kyle L.
Cobart, Matthew D.
Cofield Jr., Anthony B.
Louis, Vladamir Paez, Lemay
Pienkos, Hunter J.
Thompson Jr., Robert E.
Wells, Jasmine K.
Williams, George H.
Woodson, Johnathan J.
Sharpe Bros.
DeLeon Perez, Edgar E.
Vecellio & Grogan
Contreras, Joel –Working Foreman
Chilel Gonzalez, Galvin Deffenbaugh, Charles Lopez Lucas, Eliud
Slaughter, Carl D.
Congratulations to those receiving promotions between June 1 & Sept. 30, 2024! (Management in italics)
Hal Jones Contractor
Ewton, Mark A. –
Working Bridge Foreman
Ohrt, Nicholas O. –Working Bridge Foreman
Ranger Construction
Liptrot Jr., Calvin V. –Traffic Control Foreman
Sweep, Leo C. –Traffic Control Supervisor
Tomlinson, Jamie J. –Traffic Control Foreman
Cisneros, Kevin A. –Asphalt Broom Operator
Jean Laurent, Marcene –Asphalt Raker Mora, Santos –Asphalt Paver Operator
Teran, Junior A. –Asphalt Screed Operator
Vecellio Management Services
Meadows, Theresa D. –IT Support Manager
The Vecellio Group extends best wishes to those who retired in the third quarter of 2024. Their many years of valued service are greatly appreciated!
Arturo Solorio began working for Vecellio & Grogan in January of 2024. He was a valued carpenter on bridge projects he supported, and retired at the end of June.
His coworkers and manager wish him the best in his retirement.
Robert Cruz
Robert Cruz began his career with White Rock Quarries in July of 2002. His dedication and commitment to his craft led him to various promotions and ultimately to his role as Plant Mechanic.
Robert was a valued leader and member of the White Rock team, and his skills and leadership will be missed by all coworkers.
White Rock Quarries
Garcia Ramos, Julio C. –Mechanic Helper
Gorrita Barrabia, Nivaldo –Mechanic Helper
Lopez Garcia, Alberto –Mechanic Helper
Nunez, Moises E. –Maintenance Mechanic
Vecenergy
Cole, Juavanie R. –Lead Person-In-Charge
Stoakley, Aaron –Person-In-Charge
Leblanc, Dillon J. –Dockman-CL-A Tenuta, Dominic J. –Project Coordinator, Maintenance
Greg Reilly, Project Manager at Ranger Construction (right), recives a Ranger Safety Award from Keurin Acosta, Safety Director (left) and Jamie Timming, Vice President (middle) at a recent quarterly Safety Meeting. The award recognized how Greg safely approaches every project, and his dedication to the safety and support of the crews working on those projects.
The Vecellio Group proudly provides Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for all persons, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or status as a qualified Vietnam-era, special-disabled, or other protected veteran. The Company maintains workplaces that are drug-free and do not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment or racial bias.
The Vecellio Group extends deepest sympathies to the family, friends and coworkers of those we lost during between June and September 2024. They will be missed by all.
Derik Suarez Quinones was a Grade Utility Operator with Ranger Construction. He started his career with the company in 2020 and passed away unexpectedly in August of this year.
He will be missed by the entire Ranger organization and Vecellio Group as a whole.
Richard Tompkins, Asphalt Laborer, was only with Sharpe Bros. for a few months. Although he was new to field work, Richard was a fast learner and had a great deal of pride in his work.
His can-do attitude and positive work ethic will be missed by everyone he worked with at Sharpe Bros. and the Vecellio Group as a whole.
Larry McLaughlin spent his entire life in the construction industry, first with S.J. Groves, then Jasper Construction. He then spent 28 years with Vecellio & Grogan where he retired as Vice President & Area Manager in 2015. Larry had a significant impact on the Company's growth in the West Virginia, North Carolina and Florida markets.
Larry passed away at the age of 86 in Tennessee. He will be missed and remembered for his long and distinguished career.
l Office s Asphalt Plant n Materials
HAL JONES CONTRACTOR HalJonesContractor.com
l 720 Talleyrand Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32202
P.O. Box 3257, Jacksonville, FL 32206
Phone: (904) 355-5885 • Fax: (904) 355-7648
MURRAY LOGAN CONSTRUCTION MurrayLogan.com
l 313 65th Trail North, West Palm Beach, FL 33413
Phone: 561-686-3948 • Fax: 561-686-7465
RANGER CONSTRUCTION RangerConstruction.com
South Division Office (and Ranger HQ)
l 1645 N. Congress Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33409
P.O. Box 15065, West Palm Beach, FL 33416
Ofc: (561) 793-9400, (800) 969-9402 • Fax: (561) 790-4332
s West Palm Plant: (561) 784-3485 • Fax: (561) 784-4033
Central Division Office
l 1200 Elboc Way, Winter Garden, FL 34787 Office: (407) 656-9255 • Toll-free: (800) 769-8383
s Plant: (407) 749-6262 • Fax: (407) 656-3188
Additional Ranger Locations
s 4510 Glades Cutoff Road, Ft. Pierce, FL 34981 Phone: (772) 252-5990 • Fax: (772) 466-9559
s 17800 NW 122nd Ave, Hialeah (Miami), FL 33018 Phone: (305) 828-9464 • Fax: (305) 818-7172
SHARPE BROS. SharpeBrosVG.com
l 204 Base Leg Road, Greensboro, NC 27409
P.O. Box 35387, Greensboro, NC 27425
Phone: (336) 235-2756 • Fax: (336) 235-2743
n 6311 Burnt Poplar Rd., Greensboro, NC 27409 (Shingle Recycling Center) Phone: (336) 708-7662
s 7809 Lebanon Rd., Greensboro, NC 27409
Phone: (336) 605-3775 • Fax: (336) 605-7065
s 3970 Liberty Rd., Greensboro, NC 27406
Phone: (336) 674-0138 • Fax: (336) 674-6997
s 4572 High Point Rd, Kernersville, NC 27284
Phone: (336) 355-1818 • Fax: (336) 346-8160
VECELLIO & GROGAN VecellioGrogan.com
l 2251 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley, WV 25801
P.O. Box 2438, Beckley, WV 25802-2438
Phone: (304) 252-6575 • Fax: (304) 252-4131
l 720 Talleyrand Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32202
P.O. Box 3257, Jacksonville, FL 32206
l 9250 Bay Plaza Blvd, Suite 315, Tampa FL 33619
Phone: (813) 393-8191 • Fax: (813) 792-6370
WHITE ROCK QUARRIES WRQuarries.com
ln 18300 NW 122nd Avenue, Hialeah (Miami), FL 33018
P.O. Box 15065, West Palm Beach, FL 33416
Phone: (305) 822-5322 • Fax: (305) 824-1433
VECENERGY Vecenergy.com
Main Office (& Vecenergy Resources)
3200 SE 14th Ave., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (954) 467-9774 • Fax: (954) 463-0546
Alabama — Montgomery Terminal
200 Hunter Loop Road, Montgomery, AL 36108
Phone: (334) 265-7071 • Fax: (334) 265-7072
Florida — Port Everglades South Terminal
1200 SE 32nd St., Dania Beach, FL 33316
Phone: (954) 467-9775 • Fax: (954) 468-0003
Florida — Port of Palm Beach Terminal
(South Florida Materials Corp.)
300 W Middle Rd., Port of Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Phone: (561) 844-5153 • Fax: (561) 848-5660
Florida — Portofino Terminal
1580 SE 26th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (954) 467-9775 • Fax: (954) 468-0003
Georgia — Macon Terminal
2476 Allen Road, Macon, GA 31216
Phone: (478) 788-5511 • Fax: (478) 781-6626
South Florida Petroleum Services (Port Everglades)
2550 Eisenhower Blvd. #12, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: (954) 467-9774 • Fax: (954) 467-9722
Ryan Banas, PE, CCM, an Associate Vice-President at HNTB Corporation, delivered the 2024 Vecellio Distinguished Lecture “Things They Never Taught Me in Engineering School: Virginia’s First-Ever Bored Tunnel.”
Mr. Banas currently serves as Project Director for the Virginia Department of Transportation on the $3.9-billion Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Expansion Project, the agency’s largest-ever project. When complete, the HRBT Expansion will relieve the region’s most significant chokepoint by providing twin bored tunnels in addition to improving more than 10 miles of Interstate 64.
Ryan uses his unique experiences to bridge the gap between technical training and having the skills necessary to deliver several of the east coast’s largest infrastructure projects. From complex interchanges, New York City subway stations, movable bridges, and tunnels, his experience provides realworld practical advice for young engineers looking to launch their careers.
This year’s lecture was held on November 1st at Hitt Hall on the Virginia Tech campus located in Blacksburg, VA. This event is part of Virginia Tech’s distinguished lecture series, offering students and professionals alike a unique opportunity to learn from industry leaders who are shaping the future of infrastructure development.
Virginia Tech alumni include the late Leo Vecellio, Sr. (class of 1938); Leo Vecellio, Jr. (1968); and Michael Vecellio (2001).
2023 – Vaughan Buckley, CEO, Volumetric Building Co.
2022 – David Curfman, Naval Chief Engineer
2021 – DJ Gribbin Founder, Madrus
2019 – Ross Myers CEO, Allen Myers, Inc.
2018 – Wayne A. Crew, P.E. General Secretary of the Nat’l Academy of Construction
2017 – Kristina Swallow Incoming 2018 ASCE President
2016 – Honorable Thomas Rust Vice Chairman, Pennoni
2015 – Darrell Waters Project Executive & President, Tappan Zee Constructors
2014 – Hon. Stephen T. Ayers Architect of the Capitol, US Government
2013 – Bob Prieto Senior V.P., Fluor Corporation
2012 – Jan Tuchman Editor-in-Chief, ENR
2011 – John R. Hillman President, HC Bridge Company
2010 – Michael C. Vorster Emeritus Professor, Virginia Tech
2009 – Paul E. Torgersen Professor (Dean, President), Virginia Tech
2008 – Henry Petroski Professor, Duke University
2007 – Linda Figg President/CEO, Figg Engineering
2006 – Maj. Gen. Ronald Johnson Deputy Chief, Army Corps of Engineers
2005 – Hans Van Winkle Director, Construction Industry Institute
2004 – Patricia D. Galloway National President, ASCE
2003 – Philip A. Shucet Commissioner, Virginia DOT
2002 – Ted C. Kennedy Chairman, BE&K, Inc.
2001 – G. Wayne Clough President, Georgia Tech