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Whalehead Article 06.07.21 (1)

Published by Array Digital on June 14, 2021.

OUR TEAM
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
COMMUNITY
TESTIMONIALS

Susanna Sarko, Project Engineer

Susanna joined Sussex Development in 2017 as a Project Engineer. She grew up in the construction industry. At 15, she began working summers in her dad’s (construction) office or the field and continued learning her way through general contracting during college. When it came time to choosing her college capstone internship, general contracting was the obvious choice.

She obtained her B.A. in Business from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, CA where she was born and raised. Before moving to Virginia Beach with her husband, she worked for a San Diego based General Contracting company, specializing in their biotech tenant improvement division and specializing/teaching Bluebeam Revu.

Susanna is a new mom and enjoys exploring all that Hampton Roads has to offer with her husband, hiking with her dog, fishing, swimming, and attending concerts.

Cindy Wells, Chief People Officer

Cindy joined the Sussex Team in 2017 as our Administrative Assistant and has become an integral part of our daily life. She keeps the office running smoothly and earned the esteemed position of being our first Chief People Officer. She provides exceptional customer support and service throughout the entire organization and beyond our doors. Not only does Cindy serve the office in an administrative capacity, but she maintains team morale by exuding compassion, helpfulness, professionalism and leadership to all employees.

If Cindy isn't working, you can find her enjoying a variety of activities: walking on the beach, traveling, enjoying new adventures, or reading a good novel. She is passionate about serving the community and has dedicated over twelve years volunteering with multiple non-profit organizations with a focus on natural disaster relief causes.

David Brothers, Field Operations Manager

David grew up in Elizabeth City. He is a firm believer in continuing education and learning. He graduated from Mid-Atlantic Christin University in 1980, with a B.A. in Ministry, going on to complete an additional 46 CU at the undergrad and grad levels, he completed course work in the North Carolina State Certificate of Project Management program, was previously a licensed NC Limited Builder and Virginia Class A Builder. He is OSHA 30-hour and first aid/AED/CPR certified. He completed USACE CQM certification in 2011 and 2017 and is also a Virginia Certified Responsible Land Disturber.

Since 1998, David has been active in the construction industry as either a superintendent or project manager. He is accomplished in writing scopes of work, bid packages, reviewing submittals, reviewing contract documents, project scheduling, crew management, quality control and project documentation. David is a skilled framer and trim carpenter. He is an avid reader and enjoys spending time with family and friends, a good game of golf, and can be found on ski slopes in winter.

John Dalton, Project Superintendent

John is a Hampton Roads native and joined the local construction industry at the age of 15. His early career was in concrete and site work, running heavy equipment – a skill he has maintained throughout his career. John has extensive experience in sitework, utilities and framing. He has also field supervised the erection of several prefabricated metal buildings. John is OSHA 30-hour, silica certified and first aid/AED/CPR certified.

Steve Harmon, Project Superintendent

Steve is a jack of all trades with a passion to build. After graduating from The College of William and Mary with a B.A. in English in 1998, he began his construction career as a foreman’s assistant and developed into a superintendent. He spent a couple years as a financial services professional, guiding clients toward their short- and long-term financial goals. Despite his success in the financial sector, the construction industry kept calling to him and he returned to it as president of a residential construction company. He managed all aspects of the business including sales, estimating, customer service, land procurement, contract management, subcontractor sourcing and even state and local policy compliance.

Steve is currently pursuing his M.A. in English at Old Dominion University. He joined Sussex Development in 2018 were he continues to instill his ability to handle multi-faceted jobs with an emphasis in making a positive impact in the world.

Doug Brothers, Project Superintendent

Doug started with Sussex Development in the summer of 2018. He attended College of the Albemarle from 2012 to 2014. He is recently CQMC Certified, OSHA 30-Hour Certified as well as First Aid/AED/CPR Certified. Most of his construction career has been in the Elizabeth City area of North Carolina, working on a variety of commercial construction projects in the capacities of foreman, superintendent and project manager.

Allen Askew

Allen moved to Hampton Roads in 2018, to pursue a career with Sussex Development. He earned his B.S. in Geography from Radford University and spent the first part of his career in California, doing environmental site assessments and studies; most notably performing investigation and analysis on a floodplain which was impacted by the Enbridge oil pipe line break on the Kalamazoo River.

Allen returned to northern Virginia in 2012 to accept a position as Project Manager, overseeing high volume residential and commercial restoration projects. He has involved in every aspect projects from estimating work through final occupancy.

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Tony Wheeler, Property Maintenance Technician

Tony joined Sussex Development in 2017 to help provide a centralized system of post-construction care for key clients with multiple locations and handle warranty issues when they arise. Tony earned an Associate of Science degree in Technical Studies from Excelsior College in 2007 and was honorably discharged from the US Navy in 2008. Tony is OSHA 30 hour certified.

Since then Tony has built a career in facility and property maintenance, conducting and managing all levels of preventative maintenance inspections and service, and repairs as well, including those to plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems.

Will Parran, Project Superintendent

Will relocated to Virginia Beach from Maryland to accept a Carpenter position at Sussex Development in 2018. He attended the Mid-Atlantic Training Center in Baltimore, MD and is a certified Journey Carpenter in both commercial and residential construction. He is First Aid/AED/CPR, OSHA 10-hour and CQMC certified and has completed numerous competent person trainings. Will proved himself a skilled carpenter, with traits and characteristics of leadership, focus, interpersonal skills, and hands-on knowledge leading Sussex Development to recognize his potential for more. In the summer of 2019, he was promoted to Assistant Project Superintendent, and promoted again in 2020 to Project Superintendent.

Doug Romeo, Project Superintendent

Doug has more than 40 years in construction and specializes in larger scale new construction projects, including schools. He has worked on a variety of military building projects, one which attained LEED Gold certification. Doug is a responsible land disturber, completed training with the Virginia DEQ in storm water management for contractors and operators, and completed the US Army Corp of Engineers Construction Quality Management for Contractors #784. He is OSHA 30 hour and first aid/AED/CPR certified. Doug joined Sussex Development in the spring of 2017, where he has continued to work as part of our ground-up construction team.

Doug enjoys spending as much time outside as possible and if often found on golf course, fishing, hunting or in his garden.

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Harry L. Davis, III, President

Harry is a Virginia Beach native with strong ties to the local community. In 1978, he graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Construction. Before founding Sussex Development in 1990, Harry began his construction career as a Project Engineer on multi-million-dollar projects, such as the State of Georgia Prison Hospital Complex, working his way up to Vice-President for a large general contractor.

Harry firmly believes in a commitment to family, community and the construction industry. He currently serves on the Second Century Committee at Virginia Beach United Methodist Church. He has served the Associated General Contractors of Virginia in various capacities, including President of both the state and local chapters and is currently on the board of the Builders & Contractor’s Exchange, and served as its President in 2018. Harry is an avid supporter of the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters, and the Wounded Warrior Program, along with other area youth and military groups.

Mike Spicer, Senior Project Manager

Mike is one of the original three Sussex Development Team Members. He has nearly 50-years of hands-on construction experience in the Mid-Atlantic Region. He attended the Delaware Vocation School and worked his way up from a carpenter to Project Superintendent before joining Sussex Development.

Mike has a strong reputation in the mid-Atlantic to deliver first-class projects on schedule and under budget. Clients trust his integrity, judgment, attention to detail and ability to provide them with quality buildings. Subcontractors know they will be treated fairly and count on Mike to give them the support they need.

His market niche is multi-million dollar medical, recreational, and institutional facilities. Mike managed the construction of more than twenty YMCA projects through the years and performed countless work with TowneBank. His dedication to excellence is exemplified in the multiple repeat work and referrals from our existing clientele.

LeeAnn Old, Chief Financial Officer

LeeAnn joined Sussex Development in 2006, as an Accountant after completing her B.A. degree in Business Management with a concentration in Accounting from Virginia Wesleyan College. LeeAnn quickly implemented methods to track job costs more accurately, allowing for better reporting and final project cost auditing. In 2009, she was promoted to Controller, and named Chief Financial Officer in 2018. She is responsible for all financial and accounting operations of the company, including risk management and human resources. In 2011, LeeAnn passed the Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals (CCIFP) exam to become one of the first individuals certified in the State of Virginia specializing in construction accounting.

Before joining Sussex Development, LeeAnn worked for 17-years with a large Virginia Beach based mechanical contractor. She began in an administrative support role and spent several years in an accounting position before leaving to pursue college. She is an active member of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA).

Victoria Birckbichler, Preconstruction Manager

Victoria began her construction career as an administrative assistant for a New England healthcare facility developer before moving to Europe, where she earned a B.A. in Business Management. Upon returning to the United States, Victoria spent six years as project manager for an international sign company, specializing in corporate rebranding and large-scale architectural projects across the country. She facilitated site surveys, met with ARBs, and managed all aspects of the project life cycle, overseeing in-house activities as well as managing hundreds of subcontractors across the country.

In 2005, Victoria accepted a position with Sussex Development and was a Senior Project Engineer for 10 years before accepting a position as Preconstruction Manager in 2015. She completed her certification as a Construction Industry Technician in 2013. She holds ASHE Healthcare Construction Certification and is OSHA-10 Hour and first aid/AED/CPR certified. Victoria is vital in managing corporate and field technologies.

For many years Victoria was an active member of the local chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and Hampton Roads Association for Commercial Real Estate (HRACRE). Currently she is focusing her community outreach efforts with her daughter in personal interests.

Cassie Gillick, Estimator

Cassie grew up in Boston, MA, eventually graduating from Wentworth Institute of Technology with a B.S. in Construction Management. She completed multiple co-ops and internships in the general contracting field and especially fell in love with the industry after traveling the world working for an international general contractor. Since returning to the United States, she has devoted her career to roles ranging from Project Engineer to Senior Estimator, and in 2018 joined Sussex Development as our lead Estimator.

In addition to a full-time career, Cassie completed her master’s degree in business administration with a construction management concentration in 2019, from Norwich University. She is dedicated to the March of Dimes, volunteering each year for March for Babies in Virginia Beach. She enjoys spending time with her husband, two young children, two huskies, and runs a cottage baking business. Cassie is OSHA-30 certified, certified in ACI Concrete Field Testing (Grade I), and certified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Construction Quality Management for Contractors.

Billy Sadler, Project Manager

Billy began his construction career while still in high school, working with his father, a North Carolina drywall contractor. In his twenties, he began working for a Virginia Beach drywall contractor. Billy’s strong leadership skills quickly placed him in a supervisory position. His hands-on approach gained him a comprehensive understanding of methods and materials used throughout the industry, and he became known for tackling challenging projects and finding cost-saving solutions.

Sussex Development offered Billy a Project Superintendent position in 2006. He proved himself and in early 2012, Sussex Development’s management team offered Billy the opportunity to further develop his career and promoted him to Assistant Project Manager. He learned the administrative aspects of running a successful project with enthusiasm. He is now one of our key Project Managers, focusing in the medical and banking industries.

Outside work, Billy has acted as a youth mentor, helping troubled teens find more productive alternates to the streets. He volunteers time to the YMCA Camp Silver Beach work weekends, and rallied support for the annual Build-a-Bike event.He has a passion for music and plays in a local band.

Rolley Davis, Vice-President

Rolley was born into the construction industry, so it was a natural fit when choosing his career path. Growing up, he spent many hours at Sussex Development learning from his father, interning in the office and field throughout high school and college. While in college he was a volunteer fire fighter for the Eastern Pines, NC Volunteer Fire Department and visited China in 2008, touring the region’s ancient and modern architecture.

Since joining the Sussex Development Team full time in 2009, as an Assistant Superintendent then Project Superintendent, he gained substantial hands-on experience with ground up construction projects and oversaw many specialized medical renovations and build outs.

After working as a Project Manager for several years, Rolley was promoted to Vice President and is the Preconstruction Manager and coordinates our Clients Service program. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Association of General Contractors of Virginia.

Corey Winesett, Project Manager

Corey started out in construction more than twenty-five years ago, on the ground floor of his family’s business, working his way into project management on numerous national retail accounts, such as Blockbuster Video. He takes a hands-on approach to construction and specializes in design-build projects. Before joining Sussex Development, he fostered a niche in the automotive industry, building new showroom stores and services centers, as well as remodeling projects and display lots.

He is a successful liaison between owners, manufacturing representatives, design professionals and municipality officials, navigating the path between initial design concepts and project completion. Corey’s laid back approach is comforting and helps build strong, trusting relationships with clients, design professionals and subcontractors.

Corey has tremendous experience with new construction. He served as Project Manager on ground-up projects like the Denbeigh Community Center, Charles Barker Lexus and Freedom Furniture Group, as well as performed a multitude of renovations and expansion projects.

Jodi Shea, Project Engineer

Jodi joined Sussex Development in 2014, as an Administrative Assistant, providing support for our Accounting and Project Management departments. She attained a B.A in Sociology from the University of New York at Potsdam in 2000, before starting her business career. Prior to moving to Virginia Beach with her family, she worked for a Maryland based General Contractor in the capacities of Administrative Assistant, Project Administrator and as a Claims & Safety Specialist.

During her time with Sussex, Jodi proved herself to be a valuable Team asset and in 2015, was promoted to Project Engineer. With Sussex Development’s support, Jodi took her background in insurance to the next level and completed training to become a Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist.

Jodi is dedicated to physical fitness and spends much of her leisure time participating in charity events, in addition to being an active member of the Mermaid Circle of VBCU, a group of women who raise money for CHKD and other local children’s charities in the Tidewater area.

Jennifer Jones-McCoy, Administrative Assistant

Jennifer achieved her B.S. in Social Sciences from Old Dominion University, and went on to provide strong administrative support for area businesses. She has acted in the capacity of Executive, Personal and Marketing Assistants in the commercial real estate and construction industries, as well as being a Sales Coordinator for a local hotel. Right after college, Jennifer was a bank teller, then Loan Processor for Bank of Hampton Roads, where she coordinated the “Earn and Learn” program, visiting schools to teach kids about fiscal responsibility and empowering them with money management skills.

Sussex Development is proud to have Jennifer be a part of our Team as our Administrative Assistant and the smiling face that greets visitors to our office. Her enthusiasm and up-beat personality are refreshing.

Keith Ayers, Project Superintendent

Keith began working residential construction projects part-time in high school where he developed a passion for the industry. After graduating he took a full-time job in the commercial sector. Keith is experienced in a wide cross-section of the marketplace, focusing on medical, bank and retail projects. Keith has experience being a project superintendent on two, multimillion-dollar LEED Platinum Projects.

Guiding Keith is a passion to learn. He is continuously seeking ways to hone his skills and take on new challenges. Consequently, he holds OSHA 10-hour, 30-hour, 510-hour and Focus-Four Certifications. Keith is a certified renovator (lead-based paint), a Virginia Responsible Land Disturber (RLD) and maintains his first aid/AED/CPR certification.

His love of technology helped him become a field leader in finding ways to maximize the use of iPads and other devices on job sites. He is motivated to research new apps, programs and methods to improve the field experience, and mentors his co-workers on the mobile devices. On the jobsite, this attitude helps him work with design professionals and subcontractor to overcome obstacles.

Andrew Hammond, Project Superintendent

Andy joined Sussex Development in 2008, with a goal to get back into the field and out of the office. He earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University and spent five years as a Project Manager on municipal earthmoving and underground utility projects, then seven years as a Project Manager for small commercial construction projects. Before either of those roles, he was a field superintendent for similar projects to those he managed. Andy is OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour certified along with being first aid/AED/CPR certified.

At Sussex Development, Andy quickly proved himself to be well-qualified in leading field activities on a wide array of projects such as small-scale patient room renovations, exterior canopy / entrance renovation and he completed a high-end, multi-unit residential condominium building. Most of Andy’s project portfolio with Sussex Development has been medical and industrial projects.

Andy enjoys spending quality time with his wife and four children, playing an active role in their schooling and extra-curricular activities.

Andrew Hammond, Project Superintendent

Andy joined Sussex Development in 2008, with a goal to get back into the field and out of the office. He earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Andy spent five years as a Project Manager on municipal earthmoving and underground utility projects, then seven years as a Project Manager for small commercial construction projects. Before either of those roles, he was a field superintendent for similar projects to those he managed. Andy is OSHA 10-Hour Certified and CPR/Adult AED/First Aid Certified.

At Sussex Development, Andy quickly proved himself to be well-qualified in leading field activities on a wide array of projects such as small-scale patient room renovations, exterior canopy / entrance renovation and he completed a high-end, multi-unit residential condominium building. Many of his projects are in ultra-sensitive patient areas, like Labor & Delivery Units and Imaging Centers, which require an extra level of attention to the patients, security and ICRA requirements. Andy’s portfolio includes such clients as ABNB Federal Credit Union, TowneBank and East Beach Villas. His primary focus though, is in medical work where he has performed numerous projects for Sentara Healthcare, Sentara Medical Group, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters and Chesapeake Regional Medical Center.

When he has free moments, Andy enjoys spending quality time with his wife and four children, playing an active role in their schooling and extra-curricular activities.

Ric Horton, Project Superintendent

Ric boasts that his construction career began in elementary school helping his dad, who was also a contractor. He attended Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center studying natural resources and wildlife management. He is OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour, mold remediation and first aid/AED/CPR certified, is a certified renovator (lead-based paint), a Virginia Responsible Land Disturber (RLD) and maintains his first aid/AED/CPR certification.

Before joining the Sussex Team in 2007, Ric spent five years working with a local steel erection company. The previous fourteen years he traveled throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and Tennessee, managing the construction of dozens of chain restaurants.

Ric is known for identifying potential areas of conflict early in a project, finding feasible and cost-effective solutions and alerting the Architect and Owner with enough time to allow for the adjustment and maintain the project schedule. He is an excellent mentor to others and his solid leadership skills lend well to managing the daily operations and workers on both large and small construction projects.

He enjoys spending as much time outside as possible fishing, hunting and hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Frank Lane, Project Superintendent

Frank joined Sussex Development in 2013, with a goal to expand his experience as a Superintendent. Prior to joining Sussex Development, he spent several years as a Superintendent for another area general contractor on their commercial projects. Frank began working construction as a teenager, and completed the Norfolk VoTech Carpentry Apprenticeship Program after high school. He is OSHA 10-Hour Certified, stays current on CPR, Adult AED and First Aid Certifications and is a Virginia Responsible Land Disturber.

With Sussex Development, he has shown himself well-qualified to lead field activities on various project types and sizes. He successfully completed projects in medical office buildings, hospitals, MRI-CT diagnostic centers as well as completing multiple projects for TowneBank and Monarch Bank. He recently renovated two different pre-schools. Frank is proactive in his approach to completing projects either on or ahead of schedule and continuously exceeds our Clients’ expectations.

Jeff Ocker, Project Superintendent

Jeff is one Sussex Development’s original three employees and has remained a Team member since 1990. During high school, Jeff attended Virginia Beach VoTec School for carpentry, and went on to complete an Associated General Contractors (AGC) sponsored apprenticeship program. Jeff is first aid/AED/CPR certified, OSHA 10-hour and 30-hour Certified and a Virginia Responsible Land Disturber (RLD).

Jeff takes a hands-on approach to field activities and is experienced in most areas of construction. He visualizes contract drawings and sees how a building will come together, making him particularly skilled in identifying challenges and providing innovative solutions. Jeff’s experience makes him one of our most valued senior level Project Superintendents and is mentor for our younger field staff. He has performed multiple projects for the YMCA of South Hampton Roads, College of the Albemarle Aviation Training Center and Widgeon Professional Center (the home of Sussex Development’s corporate office).

When not at work, Jeff enjoys hunting and is an avid kayak fisherman.

Greg Sassin, Project Superintendent

Greg has been a proven member of the Sussex Development Team since 2003. He has 35+ years of experience with commercial construction projects in the Hampton Roads area. Prior to entering construction, Greg served four years in the US Navy as an Electronic Warfare Specialist and was honorably discharged as an E-5. He is a Virginia Responsible Land Disturber, attained SWPPP certification by attending the VA SWM for Contractors & Operators training course, and is additionally OSHA 10 and 30-Hour Certified, completed Mold Remediation training and is certified in CPR/AED First Aid.

He is experienced in a cross-section of construction fields, primarily working with new, ground-up turn-key construction projects. He is known for locating potential conflicts on drawings and finding feasible, cost-effective solutions. Greg has completed dozens of projects while at Sussex Development. Most notably he was our Project Superintendent for: The Princess Anne Family YMCA, The Y on Granby, ABNB Providence and Littleneck branches, and four Konikoff Family Dentistry new medical office buildings. He has also successfully completed multiple interior renovation / build-out projects for Clients like Sentara Healthcare, Beach Eyecare and an 18,000 SF medical office / surgery center build-out for the New Hope Center for Reproductive Medicine.

Lee Sawyer, Project Superintendent

Lee started his construction career at 15 working weekends, vacations and holidays in high school. He has accumulated a wealth of knowledge over nearly 60-years in construction and has been a solid asset to Sussex Development since 2004. He specializes in medical and Class A office project renovations and build outs. His reach extends outside Hampton Roads, into Maryland and Delaware.

Lee spent four years as an electrical apprentice, four years serving as a civil service drafter, one-year working with acoustical ceilings and ten years as a caseworker. Prior to joining Sussex Development, he operated his own construction company specializing in commercial renovations and buildouts for commercial and retail clients. Lee’s company had a residential division that built 100+ area homes; one was a Home-A-Rama award recipient. Lee is OSHA 10-Hour and 30-Hour certified, a certified renovator (lead-based paint) and maintains first aid/AED/CPR certifications .

In his youth, Lee was an avid equestrian and competed in numerous events. Now in his spare time, you might find him riding his motorcycle with friends.

Keith Selby, Project Superintendent

Keith has nearly four decades of construction experience. He started as a journeyman carpenter after high school and ultimately joined Sussex Development in 2001. Throughout his career, Keith sought to learn all he could about leading a successful construction project. He is an accomplished team leader on projects ranging from the smallest 1,000 SF renovation to ground-up projects. In recent years, he’s focused primarily on medical projects. He is especially sensitive to working in a hospital setting, around patients and medical staff. Keith is ASHE HCC certified, a certified renovator (lead-based paint) and maintains first aid/AED/CPR and OSHA 10 and 30 hour certifications.

Keith possesses an intense sense of community and giving. At thirteen he joined the Hampton Volunteer Fire Department where he has remained a volunteer and is currently their Incident Safety Officer. In his free time, he and his family are avid campers and enjoy the outdoors

Herb Alexander, Carpenter

Herb entered the construction industry out of high school and learned his trade through on the job experience. He is a vested member of the Carpenter’s Union and stays current with his CPR, First Aid and AED Certifications. Herb joined Sussex Development in 2004 and is a valued member of our Team. He enjoys spending his quiet time reflecting at the beach or his favorite fishing hole.

Mike Case, Carpenter

Mike joined the US Navy out of high school. After retiring from the Navy, he mastered his skills as a carpenter through on the job experience. He is a vested member of the Elevator Union and stays current with his CPR, First Aid and AED Certifications. Mike joined Sussex Development in 2004 and is a valued member of our Team. He enjoys spending time with his family in his free time.

Tyler Guynn, Assistant Superintendent

Tyler joined the Sussex Development Team in 2015. In addition to being a full-time carpenter, he is actively pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, with a Business Management minor. He aspires to one day become a Project Manager on our Team.

Despite his youthful age, Tyler is not new to construction. His father owns and operates an area construction company where Tyler started helping his Dad in middle school, during vacations and summer breaks. He has also worked as a foreman for a mechanical services contractor.

Tyler is a newlywed and new home owner. He dreams about the day when his schedule will allow him to revisit some favorite spots on the Eastern Shore to fish and hunt with his family and friends.

Brian Le, Accountant

Brian is a native of northern Virginia who relocated to Hampton Roads to attend Virginia Wesleyan College in 2012. He joined Sussex Development as an intern in the spring of 2016, while finishing his B.A. in Business, with a focus in Accounting, minoring in communications. Since earning his degree, he joined our Team in a full-time capacity and is continuing to learn, providing solid support to our accounting department.

While maintaining a solid GPA in college, Brian rounded his Academic career as an active member of: the Society of Collegiate Journalists, the Marlin Business Association and the Virginia Wesleyan Men’s Soccer team. He served as the News Editor for the Marlin Chronicle, the school’s newspaper. He gained valuable experience working summers in the capacities of a Sales Representative, Administrative Intern and Data Analyst Intern.

Outside of work, Brian still enjoys playing soccer, physical fitness, traveling and spending time with his family and friends.

Ed Krueth, Project Superintendent

Ed is one of our newer team members, who possesses decades of experience in a wide array of trades and played an active role in the evolution of modern construction. He has worked in both residential and commercial settings performing pre-fabricated metal building construction, framing and interior finish trim work, was a foreman of a concrete forming crew and been an executive for a custom home builder, in addition to operating his own construction company for many years. At one point, Ed tackled the real estate industry, closing hundreds of deals.

Ed is an honest, open person who strives to maintain solid communications. He respects the need for all parties to work collaboratively to achieve the most success in a project. Ed is proficient in team management, coordinating with municipalities and has a solid grasp on the business elements that go into construction projects.

He is a warm person who enjoy spending quality time with his family and friends.

Bryan Graham, Project Superintendent

Bryan is one of our newer team members. He came to us with a varied background. Bryan attended the Savannah College of Art and Design where he studied Architecture and attained a BFA in Furniture Design. He continued to build a career in custom wood working, with an emphasis in cabinetry. He spent time freelancing his trade, specialized as a product designer, worked production and was the head of carpentry and warehouse maintenance. Bryan has a patented design for a KD method of and packing loveseats and lounges, and was a 2002 finalist in the Seating Category at the International Woodworkers fair in Atlanta, GA.

Upon moving to Hampton Roads, Bryan accepted a Construction Manager position for a local custom cabinetry contractor. He also spent time with a prominent drywall contractor, responsible for layout, production of wall systems and installed gypsum / dens glass type materials. From there he moved to residential general contracting and is now settled into the commercial marketplace, focusing in interior build out and renovation projects.

Glenn Phillips, Project Superintendent

Glenn is one of our newer team members. He possesses decades of experience in a wide array of trades and played an active role in the evolution of modern construction. Through the years he has worked for a number of mid-size to large general contractors, even owning his own general contracting firm in the 1980s. He honed his skills on free-standing buildings, shopping centers and large retail box stores, like Lowe’s, Walgreen’s Drug Store, Target and Food Lion. Additionally he has acted as Superintendent for Country Inn & Suites Hotel and Comfort Suites Hotel, and successfully completed projects for NASA and the North Carolina Aquarium.

Glenn is OSHA 10 certified, Rome Safety NASA Certified and CPR/AED/First Aid Certified. He is a Virginia Responsible Land Disturber and attained E & S Control /SWWPP Certification.

When Glenn has free time, he enjoys bass fishing. He fishes the professional circuit throughout the southeast region and has won several tournaments. Glenn is an active member of several organizations focused on the preservation and enhancement of the sport.

Nicholas Strobietto, Assistant Superintendent

Nic is a Virginia Beach Native, graduate of Kempsville High School and studied Psychology at TCC. His family has a history in construction, so it was a natural fit for him to migrate toward the construction industry. He was a welding apprentice for a year, learning needed skills to fabricate structural components for industrial buildings and many welding techniques, including tack and MIG welding. This experience lead Nic to a position as a CNC Operator and Machinist, fabricating numerous parts used in simple and complex machines.

Wanting to get back to basics of construction, Nic accepted a position as a Journeyman Carpenter for an area custom casework contractor, where he had worked part-time in high school; in total he spent nearly a decade with them. In that time Nic observed other trades, watched interior spaces come together and observed how a superintendent coordinates everyone to deliver a quality finished space. He made the decision to seek entry-level employment with a reputable general contractor. His goal is to become a Project Superintendent. Nic joined the Sussex Development Team in the spring of 2016. We are excited for the opportunity to train and mentor the next generation in our industry.

Braun MacLachlan, Assistant Project Manager

Braun is a Virginia Beach native, with strong ties to our local community. He attended Colorado State University College of Natural Resources, Commercial Recreation and Tourism in 2002. He earned his Class A Contractors license in 2012 and was the recipient of the 2014 City of Virginia Beach Planning Commission Merit Award in the category of renovations and/or adaptive reuse. He joined his family’s construction business as a superintendent in 2004, working up to be its president in 2012. The company’s primary focus was in the design and development of new luxury homes and light commercial. He developed an interest in commercial construction leading him to pursue a commercial general contractor and joining Sussex Development as an assistant superintendent during the summer of 2018.

After demonstrating his knowledge of construction and leadership skills, he was promoted to project superintendent and served in that capacity for many months before applying for a position with our office staff as a field engineer, a role which combines project engineering with estimating.

He spent much of his life in the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia Beach Oceanfront. He is an avid surfer and fisherman who shares his love of surfing with a local organization helping mentally and physically challenged persons get on the waves.

Jim Vachon , LEED AP, Senior Project Manager

Jim grew up in Maine and later settled in Hampton Roads during his time in the U.S Navy. He graduated from Old Dominion University with a B.S. in Geographical Sciences. Early in his career he worked in the City of Norfolk Planning office as a Senior Plans Reviewer. Then he spent the next 20 years as a Project Manager overseeing a vast portfolio of projects in the commercial, federal, multi-family and healthcare arenas from in Virginia and as far away as Georgia and Texas.

Jim is a LEED AP+, DBIA certified, HCC certified, and USACE CQC certified. He is a member of the Industrial Advisory Board for the Engineering Department at Old Dominion University and an appointed member of the Historical Review Board for the City of Virginia Beach. Jim spends his free time with his wife and four kids. He is an avid fan of New England sports teams.

Shawn Wesley LEED AP, Senior Project Manager

Shawn grew up in Danville, Virginia before leaving to obtain a degree in Psychology from Michigan State University. It was there that Shawn discovered his love for construction and signed on with a mid-sized commercial construction management firm. Since then Shawn has thrived in the industry and has over 15 years of experience delivering quality projects on schedule and on budget, while adding a personal touch to the process. Shawn is LEED AP certified and completed a $10.2M 32,000 sf LEED Silver Class A office building in Shreveport, Louisiana. Many projects Shawn has managed have had extensive minority and disadvantaged business participation goals. He has worked directly with those companies to help them meet compliance needs and helped bridge their qualification gaps through outreach programs and acting as an advocate.

Outside of work Shawn loves to travel to new places and meet new people.

Jennabeth Spencer, Project Engineer

Jeannabeth (JB) is native to Virginia Beach and has a background as a Project Manager’s Assistant with a SWAM Certified local General Contractor specializing in commercial and federal renovation and build out projects. Looking to build a career in the construction industry, JB started taking business classes in the spring of 2019 at Tidewater Community College (TCC), with a goal of earning an associate degree in business management, and sought out employment with a larger general contractor, Sussex Development in particular, who would afford her exposure to a broader range of project experience and opportunities.

JB is a veteran of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a youth group promoting leadership, communication, organization and time managements for young women between ages of 11 and 21. She is also dedicated to raising money for Operation Smile and volunteering time with the elderly in long-term care facilities and feeding our local homeless population.

Melissa Rannigan, Accounting Specialist

Melissa joined the Sussex Development team in the summer of 2018 as an Accounting Assistant. In October 2020, Melissa obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from the Florida Institute of Technology while working full time. Shortly after graduating, Melissa was promoted to Accounting Specialist. She is also a certified Construction Risk Insurance Specialist and a Virginia Notary. Melissa has exemplary computer and administrative skills. Her accuracy and attention to detail, along with her eagerness to tackle any challenge has made her an invaluable asset to Sussex Development.
Melissa is a Vermont native who moved to Virginia in 2014. Outside of work Melissa is actively involved in various animal rescue organizations throughout the Hampton Roads area. She spends her free time drawing, painting, and gardening. She also enjoys exploring Virginia attractions with her boyfriend, their pet husky, friends, and family.

Bob Huffman, Project Superintendent

Bob started his career in construction over 45 years ago as a carpenter and has worked in more than 45 states across the country. His experience includes all areas of commercial construction, with an emphasis in the mechanical and electrical trades. He is a successful team leader and an effective liaison between all members of the project team.

Most of Bob’s career has been with large national general contracting firms overseeing projects ranging from shopping malls to international airports to hospitals. With Sussex Development, Bob oversaw the ground up construction of the Obici Ambulatory Surgery Center and several MRI / CT renovation projects in both stand-alone practice and hospital settings, such as Portsmouth Naval Hospital. He also served as superintendent on the Norfolk International Airport Arrivals Terminal.

Bob is an avid sailor and enjoys spending as much time as possible on the open waters.

Bobby Watkins, Project Superintendent

Bobby came to work for Sussex Development in the summer of 2018. He brought to the team 40-years in multi-family and commercial construction experience. He has over thirty years direct experience in ground-up restaurant projects, in addition to experience in rehabilitating aged buildings into new living spaces. Bobby can provide full, detailed construction drawing analysis and provide a focused line of communication from between the field, office and design teams.

Justin Short, Estimator

Justin joined the Sussex team in 2019, and came from a residential and lite commercial background, after retiring from the U.S. Navy in 2017. During his naval career he was stationed on several different classes of ships and visited more than 32 different countries. He has extensive knowledge in leadership, planning, programing and budgetary practices. Justin has a B.A. in Studio Art with a minor in Naval Science from Old Dominion University and is a two-time Navy Commendation Medal recipient. He is a licensed Class A Virginia Contractor and currently working toward VA RBC and VA CBC licensing.

Favorite Quote: “It is what it is. Now figure out the problem, fix it and move forward.”

Mike Rankin, Property Maintenance Technician

Mike Rankin serves as our Property Maintenance Technician, servicing all of our warranty and Client Services department. He is a valuable asset to Sussex Team.

Mike is a Hampton Roads native, who has lived in Newport News all his life. He is a jack of all trades who also likes to tinker with cars, go to amusement parks, or explore the Hampton Roads area.

Mike DeBlaker

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Mike Robertson, Project Superintendent

After being drafted out of high school to play professional baseball, Mike Robertson dipped his feet in construction and even obtained his Master Plumber’s license. With almost 30 years of construction experience under his belt, Mike has touched just about every type of project. Over the course of his career, his specialties have included many ground-up projects and large tenant buildouts as the role of both Project Manager and Superintendent. His extensive project history and successes in industrial, healthcare, retail, and commercial sectors prove him to be a valuable asset to the Sussex Team.

Mike has raised a similarly successful family and now enjoys his extra time as an avid outdoorsman: hunting, fishing, and maintaining a small farm in South Hampton County in Virginia.

Nick Lopez, Project Superintendent

Nick is a native of Long Island, New York, who started his construction career in Iron Workers Union Local 580 in Brooklyn, NY. In the 1980s he made a move to the Carpenters Union Local 135 on the East Side and enjoyed many years working projects throughout the five New York City boroughs such as: The Waldorf Astoria, Yankee Stadium, United Nation's building, the Twin Towers, Empire State Building, Fillmore East, Gap for Kids and Barnes and Noble bookstores. In the early 1990s, Nick and his family moved to Virginia Beach where he pursued custom residential homes, multifamily, and commercial projects, leading him to travel the United States building hotels and restaurants.
Nick joined Sussex Development in 2020 as a project superintendent. He is a licensed Virginia Responsible Land Disturber and holds a DEQ Stormwater & Erosion Control certification. In his spare time, Nick enjoys spending time with family, golfing, fishing, kayaking, bocci ball, cooking and shopping.

Robin Stansberry, Carpenter

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Clarke Miller, Project Superintendent

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Mark Moraga

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Jason Chebetar, Senior Project Manager

Jason has dedicated his career to project management in all facets of general contracting. His focus has been on environmental remediation, interior/exterior renovation, large-scale mechanical system upgrades, and new construction. He has a keen eye for detail and focus on MPE specialized programs; with a special focus on identifying project deficiencies and developing solutions for the entire project. Jason has proven to be a dedicated asset within our project management team as he also exudes exemplary leadership in mentoring, coaching, and performance improvement.

When not at work, you can find this native Virginian hanging around Hampton Roads with his wife and son.

Kyle Domangue

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Billy Domangue

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McKenzie Waters, Project Engineer

McKenzie is a newcomer to Sussex Development, having grown up in Enumclaw, WA, a small town about 45 minutes South of Seattle. She went to Washington State University for Business Administration and has worked in various industries until securing a position in the construction field. She started in the asphalt and concrete division before shifting to a position for a General Contractor about 5 years ago. She comes from a family of superintendents and engineers, so working in construction was an easy transition. Her experience has been mostly large federal projects, design-build and renovations specializing in lowincome housing and community development.

She moved to Virginia Beach in August of 2021. She looks forward to exploring her new hometown and making connections.

Katherine Landers, Pre-Construction Administrator

Katherine joined the Sussex Team in November 2021 as part of the PreConstruction team. She worked at an environmental abatement/demolition company in Chesapeake for 14 years, starting as their receptionist and moving up to Project Administrator and helped run day-to-day operations. After that, she went to work for a homebuilder in Virginia Beach as their purchasing manager.

She is from San Diego and moved to Virginia in 1998 as her father was in the Navy. She graduated from Great Bridge High School and secured her first position in construction soon after. You will find her exploring Virginia Beach and other areas of Hampton Roads on the weekends.

Daniel Carter

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Dylan Ayers, Project Superintendent

Dylan began his construction career at the age of 14 by renovating a residential property with his father and brother. He went on to attend Virginia Tech on an academic scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2019.

During 2020, Dylan revisited the field of construction, reaffirming his passion. He proceeded to refine his residential construction skill set, managed several small residential projects, and completed a home renovation.

Dylan was hired on as a carpenter in July 2021 and has quickly moved to a Superintendent role. Initially, Dylan focused on managing punchout for Senior Superintendents, but has transitioned to managing projects independently.

Devian Warren

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Melanie Brown, Accounting Assistant

Melanie is from the San Francisco Bay area, where she worked for a demolition contractor, performing administrative duties as well as waste/recycle tracking for the City. Moving to Virginia Beach in 2020, she worked for a residential contractor in the Service department before coming to Sussex in 2022 as the new Accounting Assistant. She also assists with our Client after-care/Service department.

In her free time, she can be found enjoying various activities throughout her new hometown.

Lewis Hardin, Project Manager

Lewis is an experienced Project Manager with a wide range of working history in many areas of the construction industry. He is skilled in Project Management, Pre-Construction, Estimating and Quality Control representing a diverse portfolio of projects and experiences including Hospitality, Educational, Institutional, Federal Government, Industrial, Fueling Systems, Office, Restaurant and Retail Facilities. He is a proud Navy veteran who served for six years as an Electronics Technician and subsequently in the Tennessee Army National Guard while pursuing his degree in Construction Management during college.

He enjoys going to the gym, sailing and is an avid ping-pong player.

Chris Murray, Estimator

Chris is a Hampton Roads native, hailing from Portsmouth. Chris has 20 years' experience with the estimating of small, mid and large-scale projects in both the commercial and federal industries, including an animal hospital, a basketball area at a major university, and Naval Facilities on the East Coast.

You will find him mountain/road/beach biking, paddle boarding, kayaking, bird watching in his spare time and is a nature enthusiast and animal lover. He enjoys spending time with his three dogs in addition his lovely wife and his five children.

Tanya Cruz, Project Engineer

Tanya is a proud native of Hampton Roads who brings 24 years of experience in accounting and project administration to her role here at Sussex Development. Her interest in construction started at a young age watching her father build apartment homes.

She entered the Construction Industry professionally 24 years ago with a Virginia Beach retail tenant contractor in an administrative support role. She was quickly promoted into an accounting position, and six years later moved on to project administration. She has supported a $500M NAFI contract that built Child Development Centers on many military bases around the US to include Puerto Rico. She has experience working in the Commercial, Government, and Subcontracting sectors.

In her free time, you can see Tanya gardening, crafting, being with family/friends, and motorcycle rides with her husband that have no destination.

Jeff Hegedus, Project Superintendent

Jeff is from Muskegon, MI, where he worked for a commercial construction company for many years, honing his specialties in framing, concrete, pre-engineered steel buildings, and finish carpentry. This company mainly specialized in hospital/medical and retail. After moving to Virginia in 2017, he joined the Sussex Team.

In his free time, Jeff loves to golf, hunt, and do woodworking. He loves spending time with his kids and granddaughter when he visits Michigan.

Ron McVey, Project Superintendent

Ron has been in the construction industry for the past 28 years, specializing in structural and non-structural framing and associated finishes. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, his family moved to California where he has spent most of his life. Ron joined the carpenters union and was a carpenter at a commercial construction company. Ron moved back to Virginia five years ago where he worked for a drywall company before joining Sussex in 2022.

You can find Ron spending his free time off-roading, fishing, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Brenden Vachon, Carpenter

Brenden is a Hampton Roads native, entering the construction industry by joining Sussex Development during high school. He joined the Virginia Army National Guard after high school and has continued full time at Sussex as a carpenter. He dedicates some of his free time to his Country as a member of the 116th Infantry Group, Bravo Troop 2/183rd CAV.

Samantha Cosper, Project Engineer

Originally hailing from San Antonio, TX, Samantha joined Sussex in 2022 after having spent almost a decade working in the ship repair industry. During that time, she was part of a small group of professionals dedicated to the repair, maintenance, and expansive growth to the nation’s oldest continually family-owned and operated shipyard in the US. There, she learned tried and true, practical, and cost-effective industrial construction practices that she brought with her to further hone and build on with the Sussex Team.

Prior to her time at the shipyard, Samantha served as a Yeoman in the US Navy for 6 years. Her time in service included being stationed in Washington, DC, Naval Station Norfolk, and aboard the USS Enterprise with VFA 136. The various locales and platforms allowed her to garner a strong discipline and dedication to teamwork that she continues to use today.

Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family, enjoying good food and music, and staying active.

Joe Henricks, Safety Director

Joe is a seasoned Safety Professional with extensive experience, with 35 combined years as a Safety Director, safety engineer, construction manager, estimator, quality control inspector, and environmental health technician. He has authored Safety, Health and Environment programs for private and public entities that includes, Process Safety Management (PSM), environmental programs and permits, general industry, insurance and loss control, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training and compliance, Facilities Maintenance and Operations Training and Compliance programs and other regulatory compliance programs. His specialties include Construction Safety Management, Risk Management, Behavior Based Safety, Process Safety Management, Environmental Remediation, Workers Compensation, Claims Management, Contractor/Vendor Management, Cleanroom Technology, Emergency Management, and Public Health.

Joe joined Sussex in 2023 as our Safety Director and has quickly integrated his skills and expertise in the office and in the field, sharing his vast knowledge with the Sussex team and beyond. You can find Joe on the weekends celebrating his greatest achievement yet: hanging out with his grandchildren.

Gary Olander, Assistant Project Superintendent

Gary has worked for various engineering and construction companies, gaining experience in site and building design, as well as performing field engineering in heavy marine construction. With his vast experience, he formed his own business where he worked as an Independent Contractor for 20 years building a variety of structures along with renovating homes and businesses. Gary was born and raised on Cape Cod. The Cape gave Gary a love for sailing & the ocean and New Hampshire a love for skiing. Gary enjoys spending time with his wife Marcy, good friends and with their Golden-Doodle, Riley.

Will Parran, Project Superintendent

Born and raised in Huntingtown, Maryland, Will began his construction career as a member of the Baltimore Carpenters' Union. He joined Local 101 and began the four-year apprenticeship program. Upon completion, he received his journeyman certification. He worked with a subcontractor working with metal stud framing, drywall installation, door and hardware, ceiling grid installation, and concrete forming.

He joined the Sussex Development in 2018 and started as a carpenter and was quickly promoted to Assistant Project Superintendent. After proving his expertise with the completion of two projects, Will was promoted to Project Superintendent.

Some of Will’s hobbies are small woodworking projects, outdoor activities, traveling and participating in 5K races with his family.

Justin Grenzebach, Project Superintendent

Justin began his career in construction as a teenager, helping his father with flooring projects up and down the East Coast. This piqued an interest in the built environment and lead him to study Urban Planning at Virginia Commonwealth University. While in college, he continued to work for various construction projects, gaining experience as an assistant superintendent, project engineer, and finally as a project superintendent with a general contractor from Raleigh, NC. You can find Justin spending his free time collecting and listening to vintage records, maintaining a yoga practice, and exploring graphic design.

Ryan Maxwell, Estimator

Ryan is a Virginia Beach native and grew up around the construction industry. His grandfather owned a sheet metal company, and his father working for various trades as a project manager and estimator. Ryan’s construction experience started in the field as a ductwork installer and eventually moved on to estimating and managing federal projects with a general contractor, specializing in plumbing, mechanical, and electrical. You can find Ryan spending time with his family in his free time, learning aspects of computer technology, or gaming (board games, video games, or any competitive games).

Christine Silva, Accounting and HR Assistant

Christine joined the Sussex Team in 2023 as a part of the Accounting department. Born and raised in Rhode Island, she worked for a general contractor for many years as a construction administrator. Interested in business, she obtained her Associate in Science in Business at the Community College of Rhode Island in 2012. She is eager to put her vast knowledge of construction and business into her position. A recent transplant to Hampton Roads, you can find her on the weekends with her family going on day trips, discovering parts of her new home, and relaxing by crocheting and gardening.

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