David E. Sessions
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CEO
As CEO, 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
Gulf Coast Community Foundation Board – 2019 – Present
Bradenton Area EDC – Executive Board Member – 2015-Current
Leadership Florida – Class 30
Economic Development Corporation – Sarasota County
Board Member: 2008-2016, Chairman – 2010 & 2011
Leadership Manatee 2004-2005
Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors – 2007- 2013
Peace River Electric Cooperative Board 2002-2010, President 2006-2007
Sarasota Education Foundation 2003 – 2010, Board Chair 2009-2010
Startups – Chairman – 2004-2014
SCOPE (Sarasota Openly Plans for Excellence) – 2002, 2009-2018
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
John LaCivita
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President
As President 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
Argus Foundation – Board of Directors 2014 – present
Argus Foundation Member Since – 2003
Bridge of Hope – 2010 Flight of Hope Chair
Easter Seals Board – November 2008 – 2016
Easter Seals Foundation – February 2009
Gulf Coast Builder’s Exchange Board of Directors – Seat 7 – 2002 – 2005
Gulf Coast Business Review “40 under 40” 2003
Gulfside Bank Board of Directors
Leadership Florida 2008-2009 Class XXVII
The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce – Board Chairman 2018 – 2019
Leadership Sarasota County Class 2004-2005
Executive Committee Member – 2006 – Present
Chairman – Adult Leadership Program 2005 – 2006
Sarasota County Development Services Advisory Committee – Board Member Since 2006 – 2016
Sarasota County General Contractors Licensing and Examining Advisory Board – Board of Directors – Since 2005 – Present
The Pines of Sarasota – Board of Directors – Corporate Board – 2010 – 2016
The Pines of Sarasota, Inc. – Chairman of the Board 2016 – Current (Property Board of Directors)
Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay – 2007 – Present
Sarasota County Education Foundation – Board Member – 2010 – 2016
Sarasota Gator Club – Member
Visit Sarasota Board of Directors – 2021 – Present
Taylor Aultman
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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
Adult Leadership Program- Chair 2019-2020
Adult Leadership Program – Council Member 2015-present
SRQ Leadership Alumni- Class 2012
Gulf Coast Builders Exchange
Tiger Bay Sarasota – Member
Argus Member
Nathan Carr
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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
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
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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
Gene Witt Elementary – Student Advisory Committee
Brett Raymaker
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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
Leadership Sarasota County, Class of 2011
Associated Builders and Contractors
Associated General Contractors
ACE Mentor Program of America