Investor Spotlight: Skanska USA

February 4, 2016

 
 
Skanska USA is a leading national and local provider of construction management and general contracting, design-build, and program management services. The firm serves a broad range of industries, including corporate commercial, health care, government, education, life science, high-tech, aviation, civil, sports, and entertainment. Skanska has 39 offices nationally and employs more than 8,300 employees committed to sustainable construction.
 
In the early 1990s, a regional office was opened in Tampa to construct the 100 North Tampa Office Building. This effort ultimately kicked off unprecedented growth for Skanska in Florida. Today, there are three full service offices in Florida, located in Orlando, Tampa, and Ft. Lauderdale. Skanska Florida is proud that over 75 percent of their business comes from repeat clients.
 
Senior Vice President Roger Stephan has more than two decades of experience in the industry, more than half of which has been with Skanska. He is a dedicated construction specialist with extensive experience in planning, managing all aspects of a project, fast-tracking, health care, and educational facilities. He has been involved in a number of high profile projects for clients, including Morton Plant Mease, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida, MetLife, Moffitt Cancer Center and Tampa International Airport. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Louisiana State University and is a licensed general contractor.
 
What business expansion or relocation project has had the biggest impact on Tampa and Hillsborough County?
The expansion currently taking place at the Tampa International Airport will have significant impact, both near and long term, on the region’s economic growth. While the airport already serves 17 million passengers a year, this number is expected to grow to 35 million by 2041, making this a major investment to accommodate future passenger growth.
The airport has selected Skanska USA to lead the expansion and renovation of its main terminal and concessions, and we are proud to be a partner in this game-changing project. As part of the main terminal’s expansion, additional space will be created for dozens of new restaurants and shops, including home-grown brands that are part of the fabric of the Tampa Bay area. Not only will this project further enhance the quality of service the airport offers to domestic and international travelers, but it will also give the airport a competitive advantage over other Florida airports.
 
What makes Tampa and Hillsborough County an ideal place for a corporate headquarters?
A diverse group of factors are contributing to Tampa and Hillsborough County’s appeal as an ideal location for corporate headquarters, including its highly educated and trained workforce, Tampa’s cultural diversity, the state’s favorable tax climate, and great weather year round.
While Skanska has offices across Florida, our headquarters for the state is in Tampa. From a location standpoint, Hillsborough County is uniquely positioned as a central access point for the northern and southern parts of the state and is home to one of Florida’s leading international airports.
Not only is Hillsborough County’s business environment attractive to corporations, but so is the quality of life it offers. Our cultural amenities include the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts, the Tampa Museum of Art, as well as major sports franchises such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tampa Bay Rays.
 
What role do you see your organization playing in helping to shape our community’s future?
At Skanska USA, we focus on building what matters to better our communities through developing innovative projects, making contributions to the neighborhoods where we live and work, and providing career and development opportunities for our professionals. For example, we created a Young Professionals Group in Tampa, which consists of team members who are engaged at a deeper level and committed to giving back.
Amongst the initiatives our Skanska team is involved in are back-to-school drives, collecting supplies for Hillsborough and Pinellas County schools, gathering toys for children undergoing treatment at Tampa General Hospital during the holiday season, and working with Metropolitan Ministries to distribute food and toys to families in need in the local neighborhood.
 
Where do you derive the most benefit for yourself and your organization as an Investor of the EDC?
Skanska has been a member of the organization for several years now, and our involvement has given us the opportunity to connect and build meaningful relationships with business and economic leaders in Hillsborough County. It also enables us to make more strategic decisions at the local level because we are kept abreast of the county’s business and economic plans. We are also playing an active role in driving business growth and long-term economic value to our Hillsborough community.