David E. Sessions
Show More
Chairman
As Chairman, David Sessions has total responsibility for specific client relationships and the authority to commit the resources of the company on all aspects of those projects. David has been with Willis A. Smith Construction since 1988 and brings to each project more than 39 years of multi-disciplined experience in educational, retail, healthcare, religious, resort and performing arts construction.
Education
University of Florida, Bachelor of Science, School of Building of Construction – 1983
Certifications
Certified General Contractor, State of Florida, 1985
USGBC (US Green Building Council) LEED AP
Affiliations
Bradenton EDC – Vice Chair 2021, Chair 2022, Currently Past Chairman
Gulfcoast Community Foundation – Board Member – Currently Chairman 2023 – 2024
Manatee County Construction Code Board of Appeals 1991-2006
Sarasota Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizens Advisory Group 1991-2010;
Chairman 1995, 2000, 2002 & 2004; Vice Chairman 1994, 1999, 2001, 2003 & 2009
Bradenton Area EDC Executive Board Member 2015 – Current
SCOPE (Sarasota Openly Plans for Excellence) 2002, 2009-2018
Leadership Manatee 2004-2005
Sarasota Education Foundation 2003-2010; Board Chair 2009-2010
Startups Chairman 2004-2014
Peace River Electric Cooperative Board 2002-2010; President 2006-2007
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors 2007-2013
Sarasota County EDC Board Member 2008-2016; Chairman 2010-2011
American Red Cross SW Florida Chapter 2013 – Present
Leadership Florida Class 30
John LaCivita
Show More
President/CEO
As President/CEO of Willis A. Smith Construction, John LaCivita provides executive oversight of projects. Part of the Willis A. Smith Construction family since 1996, John brings more than 35 years of multi-disciplined experience in educational, public sector, historic restoration, retail, healthcare, resort, religious and performing arts construction.
Education
University of Florida, Bachelor of Science, School of Building of Construction 1991
Certified General Contractor, State of Florida CG-C057210 – 1993
USGBC-LEED AP
ASHE Certification – Healthcare Construction Certificate
Memberships and Associations
Visit Sarasota Board of Directors – 2021 to Present
Argus Foundation Board of Directors – 2014 to Present, Member Since 2003
President 2020-2021, Immediate Past President 2022
Bridge of Hope 2010 Flight of Hope Chair
Easter Seals Board November 2008 & Easter Seals Foundation February 2009-2018
Gulf Coast Builder’s Exchange Board of Directors, Seat 7 – 2002-2005
Gulf Coast Business Review “40 under 40” 2003
Leadership Florida 2008-2009 Class XXVII
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce
Leadership Sarasota County Class 2004-2005
Executive Committee Member 2006-2012
Chairman – Adult Leadership Program 2005-2006, President 2018
Board Chairman 2018-2019, Past Chair and Present Board Member
Sarasota County Development Services Advisory Committee
Board Member 2006 to Present
Sarasota County General Contractors Licensing and Examining Advisory Board
Board of Directors 2005 to Present, Vice Chairman 2019-2020
The Pines of Sarasota Board of Directors, Corporate Board Member Since 2010 – Chairman of Property Committee
Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay – 2007 to Present
Sarasota County Education Foundation – Board Member 2010 – 2016
Sarasota One Hundred Club – Member since 2020
Taylor Aultman
Show More
Vice President
Taylor Aultman, LEED AP, joined the firm in 2004 and has 22 years of experience. Taylor managed notable projects for the School Board of Sarasota County, the FSU – Ringling Museum of Art and the Ringling College of Art & Design.
Education
B.S. Building Construction – University of Florida – Suma Cum Laude
Sigma Lamda Chi- Construction Honor Society
Certifications
Certified General Contractor, State of Florida
USGBC (US Green Building Council) LEED® Accredited Professional
ASHE Certification – Healthcare Construction Certificate
ASHE/AHA Managing Life Safety – 15 hours
ASHE/AHA Advanced Infection Control – 7 hours
OSHA 30 Hour Certification
Affiliations
SRQ Chamber of Commerce – Young Entrepreneurs Academy – Co-chair 2015-17
SRQ Chamber of Commerce – Adult Leadership Program- Chair 2019-2020
SRQ Chamber of Commerce – Adult Leadership Program Board of Directors,
Council Member, and Current Chairman
SRQ Leadership Alumni- Class 2012
Gulf Coast Builders Exchange
Tiger Bay Sarasota – Member
Argus Member
Nathan Carr
Show More
Vice President
Nathan Carr has been with the firm since 2004 and has 18 years of experience. Nathan has managed projects for The School District of Manatee County, LECOM, the Ringling College of Art & Design, The Patterson Foundation at the Sarasota National Cemetery, The School Board of Sarasota County, Manatee County Government, Bayside Community Church, and Suncoast Community Church.
Education
University of Florida – College of Design, Construction and Planning
Dean’s List – Graduated First in Class
Member and Treasurer of Sigma Lambda Chi (SLX) – Building Construction Honor Society
Certifications
Florida Certified General Contractor
USGBC (US Green Building Council) LEED ® Accredited Professional
Affiliations
Manatee Chamber of Commerce
Chamber Board Member – 2020 – 2023
Green Business Committee & Downtown Redevelopment Committee 2005-2020
Leadership Manatee County 2006-2007
Manatee Education Foundation Board Member 2019-2020, Board Chair 2022 – 2024
Vice Chair 2020-2022 ( Board Chair 2022 – 2024)
Economic Development Corporation – Bradenton Area
Lakewood Ranch Little League – Board Member
SDMC-McNeal Elementary School – School Advisory Council Chair 2017-2018
Manatee Tiger Bay Member
Rotary ADA Playground Project – Board Member 2018
Miracle League of Manasota – Board Member – 2009 – 2011
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Member
Economic Development Corporation – Bradenton Area
David Otterness
Show More
Vice President
David Otterness has been with the firm since 2002. David manages many clients in the nonprofit, arts, higher education and healthcare sector. Many of his notable projects are located at The Ringling, Sarasota Opera House, USF Sarasota Manatee, USF St. Petersburg, New College of Florida, Tidewell Hospice and Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Education
University of Florida – School of Building Construction 2002 with honors
Sigma Lambda Chi – Construction Honor Society – Lifetime Member
Certifications
Certified General Contractor, State of Florida CGC1508975 – 2004
USGBC LEED® Accredited Professional
OSHA 30 HR Certification
Affiliations
Sarasota Chamber of Commerce- Adult Leadership Program Class 2010
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Executive Program
Gulf Coast Community Foundation Board Institute Program 2016
Healthcare Construction Certificate (HCC), American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE)
Easterseals of Southwest Florida – Board Member
Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance – EDC Board Member – Board Chairman 2023-2024
Gene Witt Elementary – Student Advisory Committee
Brett Raymaker
Show More
Vice President
Brett Raymaker joined the firm in 2003 and has 22 years of experience and has managed projects for Sarasota County Government, the School Board of Sarasota County, the Ringling Museum of Art, the Out-of-Door Academy, East Manatee Fire Rescue District and Tidewell Hospice.
Education
University of Florida – School of Building Construction
Graduate with honors and lifetime member of the Construction Honor Society
Certifications
Certified General Contractor, State of Florida
USGBC (US Green Building Council) LEED® Accredited Professional
OSHA 30 Hour Certification
Affiliations
U.S. Green Building Council Member
Gulf Coast Builders Exchange – Board Member 2018 – Board of Directors & Executive Member
First Tee of Sarasota/Manatee – Board of Directors Since 2021
Leadership Sarasota County, Class of 2011
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated General Contractors
ACE Mentor Program of America
Robbie Gronbach
Show More
Vice President Preconstruction Services
Robbie Gronbach joined Willis Smith Construction in 2010 and as Vice President of Preconstruction Services, Robbie has oversight of all projects in the early stages of planning and design development through final completion/approval of the Guaranteed Maximum price.
Education
M.S. Building Construction – University of Florida
B.S. Building Construction – University of Florida
Certifications
USGBC (US Green Building Council) LEED® Accredited Professional
OSHA 30 Hour Certification
Affiliations
United States Green Building Council Myakka Branch Executive Council – Secretary 2015
Florida Green Building Coalition Member/Certifying Agent
SLX Construction Honor Society – Lifetime Member
Katie Kominos
Show More
Senior Project Manager, Shareholder
Katie Kominos, joined the firm in 2016 and has 15 years of experience. Katie has managed some of the firm’s most notable projects including the Marie Selby Gardens Master Plan – Phase One, the Sarasota County Siesta Key Fire Station No. 13, and the Elizabeth Moore International Center for Coral Reef Research & Restoration in Key West.
Education
M.E. Construction Engineering – University of Florida
Certifications
Commercial Contractors License – State of Louisiana
OSHA 30 Hour Certification
Affiliations
Business Observer 40 Under 40 Award Winner Class of 2023
Rick Scherzer
Show More
Senior Project Manager, Shareholder
Rick Scherzer joined the firm in 2016 and has 13 years of experience. Rick has managed notable projects for Sarasota County, the City of North Port, and the East Manatee Fire Rescue District.
Education
Masters of Building Construction – University of Florida
B.S. in Building Construction – University of Florida
Certifications
OSHA 30 HR Certification
LEED Certified Green Associate
H. Duff Williamson Top Estimating Award, 2010
Affiliations
American Institutes of Constructions – Associated Constructor
Sigma Lamda Chi National Honorary Construction Society