Management team pivotal in continued growth of national construction management firm

SEEKONK, Mass. – October 8, 2014 – D.F. Pray, a national general contractor and construction management company, is proud to announce key leadership promotions. D.F. Pray has promoted:

• Michael Burke to Executive Vice President
• Ronald H. Laprise, Jr. to Senior Vice President
• Gary Smith to Senior Vice President
• Vincent H. Villella to Senior Vice President
• William “Bill” Hoffmann to Vice President

“D.F. Pray’s leadership team has been pivotal to the continued growth and success of the company in New England and nationally,” said Scott Pray, president of D.F. Pray. “Each leader is a consummate professional in his respective area of expertise, and together they represent 124 years of service and dedication in making D.F. Pray an industry leader. These promotions reflect their roles in the firm’s expansion into new markets, and our recognition of their continued leadership in the future.”

Michael Burke ~ Promoted to Executive Vice President

A longtime employee of D.F. Pray, Burke brings three decades of experience in all facets of the firm, including estimating, business development, and construction operations, with a particular focus on large projects. He has helped to grow D.F. Pray’s business and establish long-lasting relationships with the firm’s largest clients nationwide. Some of Burke’s national clients include CVS, Titleist, Chic-fil-A, Atria, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Ronald H. Laprise, Jr. ~ Promoted to Senior Vice President

Laprise has been promoted to senior vice president of corporate operations management, with a focus on safety and health. Laprise is responsible for managing, implementing, and promoting D.F. Pray’s Safety and Health Program to all field operations and corporate staff.  He provides direction and resources to support the on-site safety efforts of the firm’s projects, and personally conducts project audits to monitor safety performance. Since joining D.F. Pray 28 years ago as a carpenter foreman, Laprise has held several progressive management positions prior to this promotion. Laprise’s extensive experience with retail, industrial and municipality projects has provided him with a wealth of knowledge in construction means and methods, which he brings to every client project.

Gary Smith ~ Promoted to Senior Vice President

Smith began his career at D.F. Pray in 1986, working his way up to the position of senior vice president of special projects. His understanding and involvement with local and state licensing requirements has helped to grow D.F. Pray’s reputation as an experienced national general contractor. Smith holds and maintains licenses in 39 states. A LEED accredited professional, Smith is responsible for overseeing D.F. Pray’s many energy conservation and green initiatives. He was also vital to the creation of  the company’s “School of Continuing Education” LEED Certification program, which provides LEED training and guidance to employees, subcontractors and clients.

Vincent H. Villella ~ Promoted to Senior Vice President

An experienced team leader who joined D.F. Pray in 1984, Villella has extensive experience in all aspects of commercial construction, including proposal development and estimating, staff and budget management, vendor selection and pricing, risk management, and subcontractor selection and supervision. Villella utilizes his extensive skills, experience, and training to successfully meet the needs of a diverse clientele on complex projects, many with budgets of $20 million or more. His portfolio includes a variety of mixed-use developments, manufacturing, and retail projects, many of which were phased and renovated while occupied.

William “Bill” Hoffmann ~ Promoted to Vice President

Hoffmann has 30 years of commercial construction experience in all aspects of design/build, remodeling, and out-of-the-ground projects. He works closely with clients, architects, and engineers to foster successful business relationships, and remains involved throughout the lifecycle of a project, overseeing plan review through final project completion. Hoffmann’s project guidance results in financial accountability, project controls, strong vendor relations, and timely response to client needs. His portfolio includes renovation and remodel projects for some of the largest national retailers in the country.

About D.F. Pray

Founded in 1959, D.F. Pray is a construction management company specializing in design/build and general contracting services in the U.S. and Canada. Focused on the specific needs of each client, D.F Pray is a single-source contractor with the experience and expertise to manage complex projects from design and planning through construction and project delivery. The firm’s portfolio includes new construction, renovation/remodel, tenant fit-outs, and roll-outs for commercial, industrial, retail, educational, and public clients. With headquarters in Seekonk, Mass., D.F. Pray employs more than 115 industry professionals in its seven offices throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, please visit www.dfpray.com.