Guest Commentary: Workforce Recruiting for Plumbing/HVAC Contracting Sector
GroundBreak Carolinas is always looking for industry experts to weigh-in on important topics such as workforce development, safety and the economy. Mendi Arnold is director of human resources for Cullum, based in Charleston. Arnold explains how Cullum is working to change the perception of the construction industry as it promotes careers in the trades to young people and…
Sherita Evans to Lead NAWIC-Columbia: Meet the 2021-2022 Board of Directors
Columbia, South Carolina — The National Association of Women in Construction’s Columbia, S.C. Chapter #113 recently installed its 2021/2022 board of directors. These 11 women, who volunteer a significant amount of time and resources, provide leadership and vision that allows the Chapter to grow and succeed. Susan Clary, CIT, of Hybrid Engineering presided over the ceremony proclaiming that…
Living with a Frankenstein Economy in 2021’s Final Months and Beyond
With 2021’s fourth quarter upon us, it’s increasingly clear that what I call a Frankenstein economy is upon us. No, I don’t mean we are dealing with an out-of-control monster that could turn on us and wipe us out, but I do mean that we have an economy sutured together in Washington and other national…
Pat Rodgers: Lifetime GroundBreaker Award Recipient
GroundBreak Carolinas is honored to spotlight Pat Rodgers, President & CEO of Rodgers Builders, a leading family-owned construction services firm headquartered in Charlotte. She is being recognized for her leadership and achievements in the construction industry and local community with our 2021 Lifetime GroundBreaker Award. Pat’s energy, business acumen and leadership have enhanced a wide variety of organizations far beyond…
JE Dunn Welcomes Keith B. Gabriel, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager for Carolinas
Charlotte, NC – October 15, 2021 – JE Dunn has announced the hiring of Keith B. Gabriel to the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion manager for the Carolinas based in its Charlotte office. A native of Charlotte, Gabriel has worked in economic development for six years, specializing in strategic planning across diverse groups, including local…
McCrory Construction’s Matt Solomon and Tony Warren Promoted to Preconstruction Management
Matt Solomon and Tony Warren have taken on new roles at McCrory Construction with their respective promotions to Senior Preconstruction Manager. Both Solomon and Warren are based in the firm’s Greenville office. Solomon has held increasingly responsible positions in estimating during his 10 years with McCrory, most recently as Senior Estimator. He has been involved…
J. Michael Taylor, Founding Principal, DP3 Architects, to Retire in 2022
J. Michael Taylor, AIA, LEED AP, Chairman and CEO, and a founding principal of DP3 Architects, has announced his retirement effective March 31, 2022. Taylor co-founded DP3 Architects, Ltd. (formerly Design Partnership, Inc.) in 1984, with Clemson University classmates Sam Justice and Mark Eggl, with the desire to deliver quality projects in Greenville. What began…
Meet Dr. William J. Davis, Dept. Head, Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Citadel
Dr. William J. Davis is Department Head and professor for The Citadel’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, which includes two majors for cadets: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering. The department also offers a Master of Science in Civil Engineering and four Graduate Certificates: Built Environment and…
2021 GroundBreaker: Nichole Kopenhaver, McCrory Construction
GroundBreak Carolinas is honored to spotlight Nichole Kopenhaver, a member of the exclusive group of 2021 GroundBreakers — five individuals who have gone above and beyond to make a difference for the construction community in the Carolinas. Kopenhaver is Assistant Project Manager with McCrory Construction, South Carolina’s oldest general contractor, and Immediate Past President of…
A Dispatch from Grand Teton National Park
I recently did a four-day solo hike in the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. I have an enduring theory that people show up as a better version of themselves when they are hiking in the wilderness. I am not sure if it is the thin air, solitude, breathtaking beauty, or freedom from…
