This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Safety Week. It’s an opportunity to honor the dedication of our field staff, subcontractors, and others who contribute to fostering robust safety cultures at our project sites. At Williams Company, our Safety Committee is dedicated to fostering a culture of uncompromising safety excellence. We will accomplish this through proactively identifying risk, continuing education, rigorous adherence to regulations, and collaborative efforts with all stakeholders. Our mission is to safeguard the lives of our employees, subcontractors, clients, and communities in which we work, setting the standard for leading safety practices. As we commemorate Safety Week’s milestone, we thank those who are dedicated to safety and committed to improving safety standards across our sector. #constructionsafety #constructionlife #safetyweek
Lauren Rollins Promoted to Marketing Specialist
We are thrilled to announce that Lauren Rollins has been promoted to Marketing Specialist! Lauren has demonstrated exceptional dedication and creativity in her role and has made significant contributions to our marketing team! Her innovative ideas and commitment to excellence have not only enhanced our brand’s presence but have also driven our success forward.
Join us in congratulating Lauren on this well-deserved promotion! We are confident that she will continue to bring our marketing efforts to new heights!
Construction Complete on the new Starkey Ranch K-8 Classroom Building Addition
Williams Company in Tampa applauds Pasco County Schools for their visionary Starkey Ranch K-8 School expansion. This fast-growing school’s two-story, 20-classroom addition was completed in just eight months, transforming portables into a permanent facility.
Featuring tilt-up concrete and steel joists, the expansion is designed to boost STEM and CTE education with state-of-the-art classroom technology and innovative features. A true leap forward for the community’s educational future! Thank you to the team for a job well done!
Anna Canterini was named 2024 ESOP Association Florida Chapter Employee of the Year
What an amazing Spring Seminar hosted by the Florida Chapter of The ESOP Association! It was packed with great learning and networking opportunities, plus a special highlight: our very own Anna Canterini was a panelist sharing her insights on building an employee ownership culture.
Plus, we are thrilled to announce that Anna Canterini was named the 2024 ESOP Association Florida Chapter Employee of the Year! Out of 45 ESOP Companies in the Florida Chapter, Anna truly stands out, and she was named one of the three finalists for the entire NATION! She, along with the other two finalists, will be honored in Washington DC on May 7th at The ESOP Association National Conference, and the National winner will be selected. There are 18 chapters across the nation that include over 11,000 people. Congratulations, Anna Canterini, on being named Employee Owner of the Year!
Williams Company Celebrates Founders Day
Our company’s founder, JJ Williams, was born on March 26, 1883, in Georgia. Annually in March, we honor him with Founders Day. This year, the celebration included a catered lunch from Bento and ice cream from Kelly’s Ice Cream.
Our legacy of providing construction excellence began in 1920 when J.J. Williams, ventured into the construction realm of Orlando, a then-quiet citrus town, laying the groundwork for what would become a legacy in quality housing renovations during the Florida Land Boom. His mission? To provide client satisfaction.
The post-WWII era brought J.J.’s sons, Ralph and Randall, into the fold, propelling the family business into a new era of crafting quality homes across central Florida. The 1960s saw us branching into commercial construction management, adding concrete and carpentry to our in-house skills. Fast forward to between 1970 and 2000, the third generation, Bruce and Alan, fresh from the University of Florida, spurred our rapid growth.
In 2007, we took a monumental step, becoming an employee-owned company, thus greatly enlarging the “Williams Family” beyond its original roots.
Our journey, fueled by the strength, commitment, and devotion of our team, forms the bedrock of our legacy. We’re proud of our past and excited for our future, continuously honoring the foundation laid in 1920.
2024 Tour de Cure Lake Nona
Cycling for American Diabetes Association
Shoutout to everyone who joined us at the 2024 Tour de Cure in Lake Nona! Williams Company has proudly participated for 14 years, and this year alone, we raised $205,000 for the American Diabetes Association. Together, we were part of the massive $775,000 raised by over 700 cyclists at Tour de Cure Orlando!
It’s all about teamwork! Thank you to our subcontractors, vendors, individuals, and our own crew at Williams Company for contributing to this amazing achievement. Special kudos to Drew Broderick, Garrett Early, and Margaret Dewar for leading our successful clay shoot events in Orlando and Tampa, which were a significant part of our fundraising efforts!
With 10 riders from our company this year, we’re looking to grow next year. Join us for a great cause – exercise, food, beer, and camaraderie!
March 2024 Weigh-In
Williams Company’s 6th Annual Take Aim At Diabetes
Williams Company has been a steadfast advocate for the American Diabetes Association for more than 15 years, emphasizing our commitment to giving back to our community and supporting charitable causes. We have a genuine passion for assisting others.
This year marks our 6th consecutive year sponsoring a sporting clay shoot in aid of ADA’s Tour de Cure event. We enhanced our tradition of hosting well-coordinated and enjoyable events by introducing a new event in the Tampa market, led by our dedicated staff in the Tampa office.
Collectively, we saw an impressive turnout with over 280 participants firing over 14,000 shots, all aimed at combating diabetes. We successfully met our fundraising goal, generating over $200,000 through donations, sponsorships, raffles, and prizes. Williams Company takes immense pride in being recognized as the nation’s top donor to the American Diabetes Association this year, setting a new record for the State of Florida by surpassing all previous corporate and individual contributions. We extend a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, participants, and the dedicated Williams Company staff who volunteered their time to orchestrate this exceptional event.
Looking ahead, we’re already in the planning stages for next year’s event. Stay tuned for opportunities to join us in making a difference!
SDOC Island Village Elementary School Grand Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
Williams Company was honored to be a part of the grand ribbon-cutting for the School District of Osceola County’s Island Village Elementary School. The festivities were complete with breakfast, and the musical talents of the Celebration High School Band, adding to the celebratory atmosphere of this very significant occasion.
In addition, our Project Manager, Freddy Torres, gave an amazing speech on how honored we are as a company to play a pivotal role in building vibrant educational environments that inspire learning and creativity and enhance our communities.
Island Village Elementary School is a Schenkel Shultz Architecture 2-story school prototype designed for 948 students and focuses on a modern learning environment with flexible and collaborative spaces. We are proud to say the school’s construction surpassed the high-performance air leakage requirement of 0.15 cfm/sq. ft of surface area and accomplished an impressive air leakage rate of only 0.04 cfm/sq. ft. of surface area!
Want to learn more? Check out this video: https://youtu.be/AqRDWCYoCdQ
Williams Company Celebrates Women’s History Month with Mabel Sanchez
In celebration of Women’s History Month and the monumental impact women have made throughout history, we take a moment to acknowledge Mabel Sanchez’s contributions. For a remarkable 25 years, Mabel has been a pivotal figure at Falcon Construction Services, a key sector of Williams Company specializing in self-perform concrete.
Mabel’s tenure at Williams Company spans her entire career, during which she has found her role as a carpenter and finisher immensely fulfilling. She reflects, “Everything I have learned from day one has been rewarding. It is exhausting, heavy work considered only for men, but I like everything I have achieved and learned. I am not a woman who gives up!”
For an in-depth look into Mabel’s journey and insights, here is our exclusive interview with her:
How long have you worked for Falcon Construction Services?
I have been working with the company for almost 25 years.
¿Cuánto tiempo lleva trabajando para Falcon Construction Services?
Llevo casi twenty-five años trabajando en la empresa.
Can you share your journey into the construction industry and what inspired you to pursue this career path?
I have worked in the company my entire life. Everything I have learned from day one has been rewarding. It is exhausting, heavy work considered only for men, but I like everything I have achieved and learned. I am not a woman who gives up. I like the challenge, and construction has made me grow and trust that I can achieve and contribute more.
¿Puedes compartir tu trayectoria en la industria de la construcción y qué te inspiró a seguir esta carrera?
Llevo trabajando aquí en la empresa prácticamente toda mi vida, todo lo que he aprendido desde el primer día ha sido gratificante. Es un trabajo agotador, pesado, agotador y considerado sólo para hombres; pero me gusta todo lo que he logrado y aprendido. No soy una mujer que se rinde, me gustan los retos y la construcción me ha hecho crecer y confiar en que puedo lograr y aportar más de mí.
Could you highlight a project or accomplishment that you are particularly proud of in your construction career?
My first job was in 1999 at Williams Company in Vistana. This project was one of the most complicated, there were days when I was tired but at the end of each day, I was excited to see the progress and quality of our work. Every day that passed, I was excited to see the result, which was an achievement and a source of pride for me. This project was the one I was most proud of because it was my start in construction.
Podrías destacar un proyecto o logro del que estés particularmente orgulloso en tu carrera en la construcción?
Mi primer trabajo fue en 1999 y fue en la empresa Williams en Vistana. Este proyecto fue uno de los más complicados. Había días en los que estaba cansado, pero al final de cada día estaba emocionado de ver el progreso y la calidad del trabajo que estábamos haciendo. Cada día que pasaba solo esperaba ver el resultado final y eso es un logro y un orgullo para mí. Este proyecto fue del que me sentí más orgulloso porque fue mi inicio en la construcción.
As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, what message would you like to share with young women considering a career in construction?
Let them dare to challenge themselves. Do not be afraid; yes, it is a heavy job considered only for men, but here I am with more than 25 years of experience, and I do not regret working here; women can also dedicate themselves to construction. Always be safe and respect yourself.
Mientras celebramos la Semana de las Mujeres en la Construcción, ¿qué mensaje le gustaría compartir con las mujeres jóvenes que están considerando una carrera en la construcción?
Que se atrevan a desafiarse a sí mismos. No tengan miedo, si, es un trabajo pesado considerado solo para hombres pero aquí estoy con más de twenty-five años de trabajo y no me arrepiento de trabajar aquí, las mujeres también pueden dedicarse a la construcción. Esté siempre seguro y respétese.
What advice would you give to other women who are navigating their way through the construction industry?
Good luck to all of them, and may they not give up; we can show that there are also great women in construction. We have the same ability to create and carry out large projects, whether as a team or alone.
¿Qué consejo le darías a otras mujeres que se están abriendo camino en la industria de la construcción?
Mucha suerte a todas y que cada una de ellas no se rinda, podemos demostrar que también hay mujeres chingonas en la construcción. Tenemos la misma capacidad para crear y llevar a cabo grandes proyectos ya sea en equipo de trabajo o solos.
Meet our newest Senior Project Manager and Superintendents!
We are thrilled to extend a heartfelt welcome to the newest members of our team who joined us in February of 2024, as they embark on an exciting journey with us! Please welcome:
David Hotvedt, Senior Project Manager
Dave brings 23 years of construction expertise with significant achievements in the Education, Multi-family and Senior Living markets throughout Central Florida. We are thrilled to have Dave join our talented staff as we continue expanding into new markets.
Brandon Rustin, Superintendent II
Joining us in Orlando, Brandon Rustin has an impressive 25 years of experience in the construction industry. His expertise spans a preconstruction background and, most notably, as a lead Superintendent. Brandon’s diverse project portfolio features significant contributions to educational, municipal, and healthcare sectors, underlining his comprehensive skill set and dedication to excellence.
Scott Richardson, Superintendent II
We are also delighted to welcome Scott Richardson, a seasoned Superintendent from Tampa with over two decades of experience. A Chicago native, Scott has distinguished himself as a Superintendent II specializing in healthcare facilities. His extensive background includes working on several college campus projects, which include ground-up, multi-level dormitories.
We look forward to working alongside our newest team members!