Movers and Shakers: Willis A. Construction Announces Staff Promotions

LAKEWOOD RANCH - With the start of 2013, Willis A. Smith Construction looked ahead to promoting its staff to satisfy emerging needs within the company. Among the promotions for the year include Zachary "Zach" Beller, Bradley "Brad" Ellender and Paul Archacki.

Zach Beller was promoted to Project Manager from his former role as an Assistant Project Manager earlier within the year. In his new role, Mr. Beller will be heading construction operations in conjunction with Willis A. Smith's Nathan Carr, for the Sarasota National Cemetery's Patriot Plaza project.

Joining the Willis A. Smith team in July 2011 as an Assistant Project Manager, Mr. Beller started full force with the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), School of Dental Medicine, located in Lakewood Ranch. Early in his career, Zach worked as a Project Engineer for the 56,000 square foot Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo with Synder Langston, a Real Estate and Construction advising firm. He continued work with the California-based firm until November of 2009 as an Assistant Superintendent. Mr.Beller holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Management from California State in Long Beach, California.

Brad Ellender has been promoted to Project Manager from his former role as an Assistant Project Manager earlier this year. In his new role, Mr. Ellender will be heading the third phase of a series of renovations for Plymouth Harbor. Brad joined the Willis A. Smith team in 2011 withhis first project, the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM),School of Dental Medicine. 

Post-graduation from Louisiana State University in 2002, Mr. Ellender worked for Harrah's Entertainment, a hotel and resort casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana. In his position as Financial Analyst and Project Coordinator, Mr. Ellender practiced many of the same principles of time management, scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation and team collaboration required for his next role as an Assistant Project Manager for Pulte Homes out of Tampa, FL. Brad later went to work for CRS Building Corporation in St. Petersburg as a Project Manager andSuperintendent before joining the Willis A. Smith team. Brad holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business and Economics.

Paul Archacki was also promoted from Assistant Project Manager to Project Manager. In his new role, Paul will oversee the final phase of the Booker High School Rebuild. Mr. Archacki joined the Willis A.Smith team in 2008 with his first project at Sarasota County Technical Institute Phase 1A/2. Paul has two years experience in land development and seven in commercial construction. He graduated from the University of Florida in 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and later received a Master of Arts in Construction Management in 2004. Paul is also a certified LEED AP with Willis A. Smith Construction.

Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. is a construction management firm headquartered in Lakewood Ranch, primarily serving Southwest Florida since 1972. The company has a longstanding reputation for superior construction, and offers its clients' particular expertise in the areas of commercial, industrial, education, healthcare, museum specialty work and sustainable construction. The firm is also a member of the Florida GreenBuilding Coalition, the U.S. Green Building Council and Sustainable Sarasota. With 15 LEED accredited professionals on staff, Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. is well established as the regional industry leader for green construction delivery.

For more information on the company, visit www.willissmith.com.