Alabama

Katrina Jarboe of Birmingham was recently elected to the 2006-2007 board of directors for employee-owned QORE Property Sciences.

Jarboe, based out of the firm's Birmingham branch, is the newest addition and first female to join the board of QORE. She is a senior environmental engineer, manages the branch's environmental and geotechnical departments and is heavily involved with the company's internal Environmental Peer Group.

Jarboe joined Ground Engineering in 1994, which was acquired by QORE Property Sciences in 1998. She is a member of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Environmental Committee, Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Transportation Committee, and American Council of Engineering Companies' Alabama Chapter.

She has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Auburn University.

John LaRussa joined Golden & Associates of Birmingham recently as business development manager. LaRussa will be responsible for building and maintaining relationships with new and existing clients.

His experience and background includes serving one year at Harris-Robinson Construction and more than 11 years in the retail development industry. He also owns Alternate Path Adventures. LaRussa received his bachelor's degree in economics from Auburn University.

Seth Kirk joined Golden & Associates recently as project engineer. Kirk will provide support to the project managers and operations with coordination of multiple projects. Kirk graduated last month from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in building science.

He also has an associates degree in machine tool technology.

Arkansas

MAY Construction Co. of Little Rock recently announced that Lewis May, CEO, was named a lifetime national director for the Associated General Contractors of America. After serving on the board of directors for 12 years, both May and D.B. Hill III were awarded the honor. May and Hill join D.B. Hill Jr. and Bob Shell as the lifetime national directors from the Arkansas Chapter of AGC.

May was also awarded a Partnership Award from the UALR Donaghey College of Information Science and Systems Engineering for his commitment and dedication to furthering the program and for MAY Construction's pledge of $120,000 to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Nine Partnership Awards were given in total and the awards celebrate the historic partnerships the college has made with its corporate and industry collaborators.

MAY also announced the following new hires: Phillip May has joined the MAY Construction Co. team as a project coordinator. Specializing in closeouts and warranties, May assists the retail/commercial, multi-family/assisted living and industrial/distribution business units.

Scott Blackstock has joined the MAY Construction Co. team as a site manager. Blackstock is currently assigned to the renovation of the new Arkansas Bar Center offices in Little Rock.

MAY Construction Co. also announced the following promotions:

Paul Gandy, has been promoted from senior project manager to director of the northwest Arkansas business unit for MAY Construction Co. Having worked for MAY for six years, Gandy successfully completed notable projects including The Inn at Carnall Hall, awarded Excellence in Preservation through Rehabilitation, 2004; the University of Arkansas Innovation Center, the state's first LEED certified building that was awarded with the AIA Honor Award in 2005; and phase I of Fountain Plaza, designed to become Bentonville's largest retail/commercial park.

Leah Peterson has been promoted to from marketing manager to director of employee development for MAY Construction Co. Peterson holds a master's degree from the University of Arkansas and sits on the board of directors for the Greater Little Rock Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction.

Jim Thurman has been promoted from foreman to site manager for MAY Construction Co. Having worked for the company for five years, Thurman is currently assisting with the UA Chemistry building renovation on the campus at Fayetteville.

A veteran of East-Harding for seven years, Billy Wagner has been promoted to project manager. His current project is the renovation of the historic Capital Hotel in downtown Little Rock.

"Billy has proven his abilities as site superintendent and assistant project manager. This promotion is well deserved," said Tom Harding, COO.

Brett Davis has joined East-Harding, Inc. as senior estimator/project manager.

"Brett is a strategic addition to East-Harding. His 22-years of experience and considerable ability add depth to our company and will allow us to serve our clients better. We are excited to have Brett on our team and expect him to be a part of our company's long-term growth," said Van Tilbury, President.

East-Harding, Inc. is currently general contractor for projects such as the 300 Third residential tower, the Dickey-Stephens Ballpark, Central Arkansas Library System's renovation of the historic Geyer and Adams Building, the Pine Bluff Lakeshore Pavilion and the addition to Camp Aldersgate.

Josh Siebert has joined Tucker Sadler Architects as a project designer based in the firm's Rogers, Ark., office, announced managing partner Greg Mueller.

Siebert brings nine years of design experience to the Tucker Sadler Architects team. In his new position, he focuses on the design of large-scale residential and commercial projects located in Arkansas, San Diego and Phoenix.

Currently, he is designing 44th Lofts, a 90-unit residential project in northeast downtown Phoenix; and 44 Monroe, a $75 million residential high-rise also in downtown Phoenix. Prior to joining Tucker Sadler Architects, he served four years as a designer for HOK Sport+Venue+Event of Kansas City, Mo.

Siebert earned his bachelor's degree, with a minor in art, from the University of Arkansas, located in Fayetteville, Ark. Born and raised in Green Forest, Ark., he currently resides in Fayetteville with his wife, Carrie. In his leisure time, he pursues golfing, hiking, archery and fishing.

Founded in San Diego in 1957 by Thomas Tucker and Hal Sadler, Tucker Sadler Architects is a full-service design firm providing planning, architecture, interior design, and development services for commercial, residential, civic, academic, institutional, recreational, entertainment, and hospitality projects throughout the U.S.

Three principles lead the firm's 40-member team, which includes four U.S. Green Building Council LEED accredited professionals. In 2000, Tucker Sadler Architects opened in Rogers, Ark., where it employs 12 of its staff members. Headquarters for the firm is in San Diego.

Louisiana

Shreve Land Construction recently announced that Craig Prothro has been promoted to operations manager. Prothro served as controller for Shreve Land for two years and has been handling operations for the company for the past few months. Prothro has a degree in construction management from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe and 21 years experience in the financial and administration of a business organization.

Shreve Land also announced the promotion of Jamie Asbury to assistant project manager. Asbury has been with Shreve Land for two years. During this time, she has worked as the job clerk for three large multifamily construction projects. She earned a bachelor's degree in biology and a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Centenary College in Shreveport, and is currently studying for her master's degree at Louisiana State University - Shreveport.

Shreve Land Construction is a commercial general contractor based in Shreveport, La.

Robert Clouatre recently joined the Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors as director of education and training. He is responsible for developing, initiating and implementing training programs that will provide a skilled and trained work force. Clouatre most recently served as superintendent of education in Ascension Parish.

Dr. James Owens has been named director of workforce development for ABC. Prior to accepting this position, Owens served as head of Southeastern University's Department of Industrial Technology. Owens will work with area high schools, community organizations and associations to recruit new students and maintain a high level of enrollment in ABC's training programs. He will also work to offer financial assistance to ABC's students.

Caitlin Boé was appointed as director of member services. Boé is a recent graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in public relations and business administration, and will be responsible for the association's fundraisers and communications with members.

Douglas Moreau comes to the ABC as the director of craft training. Moreau has a lifetime of experience in education and most recently served as principal of St. Amant High School. He will be in charge of overseeing the daily operations of the training program, as well as developing programs to meet the needs of the construction industry.

Turner Industries Group of Baton Rouge recently appointed Stevie Toups as the corporate vice president of business development.

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors recently announced that Frances Gilson has joined the staff as board administrator.

A native of Natchitoches, La., Gilson was compliance programs director for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development prior to her appointment. In the position, she administered federal, state and local compliance programs.

While at DOTD Gilson also directed the Contract Compliance, Title VI, Title VII, Wage and Labor Compliance, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Contract Sublet Approval programs.

The Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors has responsibility for qualifying and licensing both residential and commercial contractors seeking to work in Louisiana.

Group Industries LLC, a Baton Rouge-based industrial and heavy civil construction company, recently announced several new hires.

Wendell Dorman was hired as the company's Industrial Division manager. He will be responsible for overseeing the construction company's civil work, steel erection and mechanical piping projects for the petrochemical industry. Dorman has 21 years of experience and previously worked as construction manager for Bronco Construction Co.

Billy Gauthier joins the company as senior project manager. Gauthier has 15 years of experience and will be responsible for managing commercial and industrial projects. He previously worked as a project manager for Lemoine Company, a commercial construction company in Lafayette.

John Cagnolatti was hired to serve as director of business development for Group Contractors, a Group Industries subsidiary. As business development manager, he will focus on expanding the company's client base in the industrial, petrochemical, pulp and paper industries. He has more than 25 years of business development experience and previously worked for AKM LLC - Volks Constructors Division in Prairieville.

Group Contractors also announced it has hired Tom Howard as Piling Division manager. His management responsibilities include estimating, negotiation of projects, client relations and the scheduling/coordination of field supervisors. Howard previously worked as the Louisiana Division manager of BOMAC and has more than 15 years of construction experience.

Group also hired Ronald Barber as its Houston Development director. Barber will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Group's satellite office, including business development, project management and office operations. He previously worked as the Houston operations manager for Cajun Constructors and has more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry.

Group Industries owns Group Contractors and Arrighi Simoneaux. Group Contractors performs mechanical, structural steel and civil work in the petrochemical and refinery plants and is one of the largest industrial-building contractors in Louisiana. Arrighi Simoneaux provides construction services for public and private commercial projects and has experience in renovations, health care facilities, commercial buildings, tenant build-outs and sports facilities.

SJB Group LLC of Baton Rouge recently announced it has named Jeffrey L. Duplantis as chief civil engineer and senior project manager. Duplantis has 17 years of experience in all aspects of civil design with particular expertise in serving the municipal market. In his role, he will manage municipal and public works projects for roads, drainage and utilities and will also be responsible for quality assurance of services in the SJB Group Engineering Division.

Duplantis comes to SJB Group after serving as applications engineering manager at Amitech USA where he was responsible for operations, marketing, technical and non-technical training, and quality assurance and customer service.

Prior to joining Amitech, he spent the majority of his career in private consulting as a senior design engineer with several Lafayette area companies where he was charged with design calculations, preparation of plans and profile drawings and plan details, construction specifications, bidding and contract awarding of projects, and construction administration for storm drainage, sanitary sewer collection and transmission, water distribution, street and roadway, and foundations projects.

Duplantis is a registered civil and environmental engineer and has a bachelor's degree and master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette.

Keith Odinet has been appointed the new general manager for Lafarge North America's Louisiana Ready Mix Operations.

Odinet has been with Lafarge since 1989, first starting as dispatcher then dispatch supervisor, and then North Shore area manager prior to his promotion to general manager.

He will oversee all ready mix operations in Louisiana for service areas such as the Bayou Parishes (Houma, Thibodaux, Fourchon, Larose), River Parishes (Gramercy, Luling), North Shore (Covington, Slidell, Hammond, Folsom), and South Shore (Kenner, Metairie, New Orleans East, Westbank, etc.).

Odinet served as 2005-06 chairman of the Concrete and Aggregates Association of Louisiana (CAAL) and has been active several year's on CAAL's board of directors and committees.

Mississippi

Retirement ceremonies were held in April for Linda March, who retired from the Mississippi Road Builders' Association, Jackson, Miss., after serving 37 years with MRBA. Among those honoring the retiree were Peggy Lockert, MRBA administrative assistant, and Dave Barton, MRBA executive director.

The Board of Trustees of the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has selected the recipients of the 2006 Medals, Community Service and Landscape Architecture Firm Award, to be presented on Oct. 9 during the ASLA Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minn.

This year's recipients included ASLA medal winner Cameron R. Mann, FASLA of Mississippi, for lifetime achievement and contribution to the profession.

Founded in 1899, ASLA is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 16,500 members in 48 professional chapters and 68 student chapters. Landscape architecture is a comprehensive discipline of land analysis, planning, design, management, preservation, and rehabilitation.

Tennessee

SSOE Inc. Architects-Engineers (SSOE) of Nashville, Tenn., an international design firm, recently announced the addition of three engineers to their staff, Jason Lowe, Stephen Crump and Mark Cates.

Lowe is a project manager in the Civil Infrastructure Group. He graduated from the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. Lowe comes to us after serving five years in the U.S. Air Force where he was a captain and civil engineer. Lowe's experience includes providing civil and energy engineering services on both the domestic and international front.

He is experienced in managing large and small engineering endeavors for military operations. He has also lead engineering teams initiating and applying operational efficiencies with considerable cost savings to numerous base operations.

Crump joined the staff as a senior project manager. He has more than 28 years of experience in the engineering profession managing projects for all industry types including chemical, aerospace, automotive, foods and manufacturing. He is a licensed professional engineer in six states and received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Tennessee. Crump is also experienced in managing and engineering in multi-discipline design build environments.

Mark Cates is a structural engineer with five years of professional experience. He has a master's degree in civil engineering from Tennessee Technological University, where he also received his undergraduate degree in civil engineering. Cates is an engineer-in-taining and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Michael W. Coyne, vice president for Smith Seckman Reid Inc. (SSR) of Nashville, and managing principal of SSRCx LLC, SSR's commissioning subsidiary, has been appointed to the Associated Air Balance Council Commissioning Group (ACG) National Board of Directors.

The board acts as the governing body for ACG, a non-profit association of certified commissioning authorities, dedicated to the advancement of professional, independent commissioning services through education, training, and certification of qualified architects and engineers.

Coyne will serve a three-year term on ACG's eight-member board.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to help build and grow ACG and to work with the board members in promoting independent, third-party commissioning services as the preferred delivery model for new and renovation construction projects," said Coyne.

Coyne, a Vanderbilt University graduate, is a licensed mechanical engineer in several states and Certified Indoor Air Quality Professional.

Before joining SSR, Coyne founded C&C Mechanical, a design-build mechanical contracting firm specializing in renovation and service work with headquarters in Nashville and a branch office in Knoxville, Tenn. Coyne served as president and owner of the company for 18 years until he sold it to ServiceMaster in September 2000.