Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. takes a great deal of pride in the level of professionalism that makes up the staff. The success of the firm is truly a team effort. The top management at Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. brings years of experience to the leadership roles. Well rounded in construction, architecture, finance, business ethics and human resource allocation, the primary focus of top management is to develop, educate and inspire the staff to excel – all for the benefit of the clients.

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