Vecellio & Grogan News & Photos Index

News & Photos Index

V&G Draws On Extensive Experience In Mountainous Regions
(4th Quarter 2011) -- Vecellio & Grogan is working with Chesapeake Energy in the ridgelines of northern West Virginia to correct a number of gas well drilling sites which were originally constructed by another contractor and have begun to fail or slide.

Driving In Harsh Winter Weather Calls For Extra Safety Steps
(4th Quarter 2011) -- Harsh winter conditions, such as snow, freezing temperatures or icy roads, make driving more challenging. Here are some tips to help you stay safer.

Vecellio Family Foundation Supports Higher Education, Provides $110,000 For 11 Scholarships
(4th Quarter 2011) -- Three dependents of Vecellio Group employees and eight other graduating high school seniors received scholarships worth a total of $110,000 from the Vecellio Family Foundation in 2011.

Long-Timers Demonstrate Skill And Dedication Needed To Succeed
(4th Quarter 2011) -- A message from Leo A. Vecellio, Jr. -- When measuring business success, it’s natural to think in terms of a financial report. But beyond how a company fares with its customers and suppliers is another important metric: how it fares with its employees.

Construction or Art? Work ‘Lens’ Itself To Both
(4th Quarter 2011) -- Two Vecellio Group project photos were prominently recognized recently, one as a runner-up in ENR's 2011 Images of the Year in Construction contest, while the other was published in Transportation Builder magazine's annual "Through The Lens" photo feature.

V&G Mines Decades Of Experience Providing Reliable Coal Site Preparation
(3rd Quarter 2011) -- With coal markets energized by high oil prices and global steel demand, mine operators are turning to Vecellio & Grogan’s site preparation services as a cost-effective way to access their reserves.

V&G Rises To Meet Grading and Bridge Challenges In WV
(3rd Quarter 2011) -- Vecellio & Grogan’s grading and bridge crews faced especially difficult construction challenges on two West Virginia highway projects, but once again have proved up to the task.

Project Owners Can Boost Buying Power, Spur Economy
(3rd Quarter 2011) -- A message from Leo A. Vecellio, Jr. -- For project owners, one of the upsides during a slow economy is getting more work done for less money due to the extremely competitive bidding environment.

Sharpe Tops Five Years With No ‘Lost-Time’ Incidents
(3rd Quarter 2011) -- Sharpe Bros., a Vecellio & Grogan division serving the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina with grading, paving and utilities services, has surpassed another safety milestone by working more than five years with no "lost-time" incidents.

2011 Vecellio Lecture Features John Hillman, Inventor of Hybrid-Composite Beam for Bridge Construction
(3rd Quarter 2011) -- John R. Hillman, Engineering News-Record’s 2010 Award of Excellence recipient, presented this year’s Vecellio Lecture at Virginia Tech. Hillman holds three patents for his invention of the Hybrid-Composite Beam (HCB) used in bridge construction.

Vecellio Group VP Safety John West Retires
(3rd Quarter 2011) -- John West, the Vecellio Group’s Vice President of Safety, has retired after nearly 37 total years of service with Vecellio & Grogan, Ranger Construction, and Vecellio Management Services.

Group Welcomes Mark Ligon, VP Safety
(3rd Quarter 2011) -- Mark Ligon has joined the Vecellio Group as VP of Safety, replacing John West, who has retired.

Got Concerns? Make an Anonymous Report at www.VecellioGroupEthics.com or Call 877-210-7643
(3rd Quarter 2011) -- The Vecellio Group has improved online access to its ethics website, launched last year for reporting potential concerns. The website now has a new name that is easier to remember: www.VecellioGroupEthics.com.

In Memoriam: Mike Sherwood
(3rd Quarter 2011) -- Lennis E. “Mike” Sherwood, who started as a Laborer and became one of Vecellio & Grogan's top Project Superintendents during his 53 years with the company, passed away this year.

Noted Bridge Builder V&G Provides Expertise To Design-Build Partners, GCs
(1st/2nd Quarter 2011) -- As a proven bridge builder with decades of experience, Vecellio & Grogan wants to span the gap when general contracting or engineering firms need an innovative bridge partner on design-build projects, or when GCs need a bridge subcontractor.

Mine Site Work Includes Reclamation, Excavation and Overburden Removal
(1st/2nd Quarter 2011) -- At Buck Lilly Surface Mine in Rupert, WV, Vecellio & Grogan is performing mine reclamation and overburden removal for Greenbrier Smokeless Mining. The company is also performing excavation and overburden removal for a surface coal mine in Virgie, KY, for Viking Acquisition Group.

For Best Value On Site Work, Go With High-Quality At Fair & Honest Price
(March 2011) -- Vecellio & Grogan is performing excavation and stormwater work for the parking areas and outparcels of a new Walmart in Huntington, WV. That’s not unusual, as V&G specializes in all types of site work. What makes this job stand out is that the Walmart is already built and open for business.

Providing Excellent Value Is at the Core of Our Diversified Operations
(1st/2nd Quarter 2011) -- A message from Leo A. Vecellio, Jr. -- Providing exceptional value has been a key factor in our success over the decades and has earned us a trusted reputation in the industries we serve.

Group Recognizes 145 Supervisors In Annual Safety Awards Program
(1st/2nd Quarter 2011) -- The Vecellio Group's annual Supervisor Safety Awards program honored 145 supervisors who performed at or above four high-level benchmarks, based on criteria tracked throughout the year.

2010

National Magazine Features V&G Bridge Construction In Photo Feature
(4th Quarter 2010) -- A Vecellio & Grogan bridge construction photo was recently featured in a national magazine's showcase of transportation construction projects around the country.

What Drives Long-Term Success? A Resilient, Resourceful Team
(4th Quarter 2010) -- A message from Leo A. Vecellio, Jr. -- In our many decades as a contractor, we’ve experienced a number of boom and bust cycles. One thing has held true throughout these cycles and it holds true today: the men and women in our lines of work are hardy, resilient folks.

Turning Asphalt Into ‘Diamonds’: Sharpe, Ranger Earn Commendations
(4th Quarter 2010) -- All 10 Vecellio Group asphalt plants once again meet the high standards of the National Asphalt Pavement Association’s Diamond Commendation program, which establishes criteria for excellence in plant operation and maintenance.

Vecellio Foundation Provides $100,000 For 10 College Scholarships In 2010
(4th Quarter 2010) -- Since 1973, the Vecellio Family Foundation has helped dependents of Vecellio Group employees, as well as students at selected West Virginia high schools, to further their education. This year the Foundation funded 10 college scholarships worth $10,000 each.

Vecellio Companies ‘Do The Right Thing,’ Set Up Anonymous Ethics Hotline & Website
(4th Quarter 2010) -- When the Vecellio Group tells its employees to “Do The Right Thing,” that’s not just a company motto. The Group has set up an ethics hotline and website so any concerns can be reported anonymously.

Use Your Head — Wear Your Hard Hat!
(4th Quarter 2010) -- Hard hats are a necessary item in our personal protective gear and their use is a mandatory part of our safety protocol.

Vecellio & Grogan Project Notes
(4th Quarter 2010) -- Vecellio & Grogan continues making good progress on new road construction in West Virginia and mine site-prep work in Illinois.

User Fee Would Fund Six-Year Transportation Bill
(3rd Quarter 2010) -- A message from Leo A. Vecellio, Jr. -- Raising taxes during a slow economy may seem backwards, but when it’s a pennies-per-gallon user fee on gasoline to pay for a multi-year surface transportation bill, then it makes good sense .

Group’s Safety Records Honored
(3rd Quarter 2010) -- The Vecellio Group’s emphasis on safety is reflected in the safety records of its companies and divisions, with most seeing hundreds of thousands of hours worked with no lost-time incidents.

V&G’s $32 Million Corridor "H" Project: One Of Toughest Jobs Ever
(3rd Quarter 2010) -- A Look "Through The Lens" at Vecellio & Grogan's Corridor "H” Highway Construction Project in Grant County, West Virginia.

V&G’s East Beckley Bypass Job Rises High Above Cranberry Creek
(3rd Quarter 2010) -- A Look "Through The Lens" at Vecellio & Grogan's East Beckley Bypass Construction Project in Beckley, West Virginia.

In Memoriam: John DeFrehn, V.P. — Finance
(3rd Quarter 2010) -- John DeFrehn, a 40-year employee who rose through the ranks to become the Vecellio Group’s Secretary/Treasurer and Vice President — Finance, passed away in June after a long illness.

Better Education? Vorster Explains How At Virginia Tech’s 2010 Vecellio Lecture
(3rd Quarter 2010) -- “Teaching and Learning: The Critical Balance in Effective Education” will be presented by Michael C. Vorster, the David H. Burrows Professor Emeritus of Construction Engineering at the school.

ENR Ranks Vecellio Group As #177
(3rd Quarter 2010) -- Vecellio Group, Inc. is currently ranked #177 on “The Top 400 Contractors” list, published annually by Engineering News-Record.

Matt Farley Promoted to V.P. — Structures
(3rd Quarter 2010) -- Matthew A. Farley has been promoted to Vice President —Structures at Vecellio & Grogan. His previous title was Structure Operations Engineer, where he led V&G’s bridge estimating team and assisted with field operations.

Vecellio & Grogan Crews Digging Deep, Rising High
(1st/2nd Quarter 2010) -- V&G's workload includes digging a slope shaft at Deer Run Mine in Hillsboro, IL, and bridge construction in Beckley, WV.

Vecellio Group Reviews Latest CAT Equipment
(1st/2nd Quarter 2010) -- Management from the Vecellio Group and subsidiaries, including Vecellio & Grogan, visited Caterpillar’s Illinois demonstration center recently to review new equipment.

Sharpe Bros. Project Photo Is Finalist In ENR Contest
(1st/2nd Quarter 2010) -- A photo of paving work by Vecellio & Grogan's Sharpe Bros division was selected as a finalist in Engineering News-Record’s 2009 photo contest.

Safety Leads the Way to Efficient Production
(1st/2nd Quarter 2010) -- A message from Leo A. Vecellio, Jr. -- Working safely is the first order of business for our Group. At every division and level, we have safety training and monitoring programs in place to make sure this message stays front and center.

April Brings Safety Awareness
(1st/2nd Quarter 2010) -- National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week was held in April, as was National Safe Digging Month, with both promoting increased jobsite safety.

V&G Earns CAWV Safety Commendation
(1st/2nd Quarter 2010) -- In recognition of Vecellio & Grogan’s exemplary safety record last year, the Contractors Association of West Virginia recently presented the company with a 2009 Certificate of Safety Achievement, Honorable Mention, Highway Division.

2009

Vecellio Group CEO Elected ARTBA Foundation Chairman
(4th Quarter 2009) -- Leo A. Vecellio, Jr., has been elected to chair the development arm of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association, the industry’s leading advocate before Congress and the White House, it was announced at the association's recent national convention.

Vecellio Group Ranks #157 On ENR's "Top 400 Contractors" List
(4th Quarter 2009) -- Vecellio Group, Inc. consistently appears in the top half of Engineering News-Record's annual "Top 400 Contractors" list and the 2009 rankings are no exception. Based on 2008 contracting revenues, the Group moved up to #157 on the list.

Vecellio & Grogan Awarded Two Projects Totaling $52 Million In WV
(3rd Quarter 2009) -- Crews are reaching new heights on a $19.8 million stimulus bridge project in Beckley, while in Grant County the company will build a $32 million section of Corridor H.

Paving Caps $200 Million In Piedmont Triad International Airport Work
Jose Garnica-Sosa runs a compactor as a FedEx plane lands in the background. (3rd Quarter 2009) -- Heavy/highway contractor Vecellio & Grogan and its grading and paving division, Sharpe Bros., are capping five and a half years of site development, road- and bridge-building, and runway construction to accommodate expansions at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, NC.

Sharpe Bros. Applies Its High-Quality Paving Expertise
To Resurfacing Projects For HOAs, Property Managers
(3rd Quarter 2009) -- High-quality industrial, highway and runway paving is just part of the asphalt line-up at Sharpe Bros. The Vecellio & Grogan division also specializes in milling and resurfacing roadways and parking areas in the North Carolina's Piedmont Triad area.

Vecellio Group Operations Extend “No Lost Time” Safety Records
(3rd Quarter 2009) -- Vecenergy marks five years, Sharpe Bros. reaches three years, and White Rock Quarries and Vecellio & Grogan's Beckley shop crew both surpass one year with no "Lost Time" incidents.

Safely Building Infrastructure Takes A Total Team Effort
(3rd Quarter 2009) -- A message from Leo A. Vecellio, Jr. -- Building and maintaining transportation infrastructure takes a total team effort. So does keeping everyone safe in and around our job sites.

Torgersen Gives 2009 Vecellio Lecture
(3rd Quarter 2009) -- Professor Paul E. Torgersen, an Industrial Engineer whose career at Virginia Tech spans 43 years, including 20 years as a Dean and seven as University President, is the presenter of this year’s Vecellio Lecture, held at the university in October.

Energy Plant Sprouts Up On V&G Earthwork
(1st/2nd Quarter 2009) -- Vecellio & Grogan crews are making excellent progress preparing the site for a new Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in St. Paul, Virginia.

Annual Supervisor Awards Prove Safety Pays
(1st/2nd Quarter 2009) -- Recognizing the important role Supervisors play in keeping crews and work zones safe in the day-to-day operations of its companies and divisions, the Vecellio Group presented more than 160 Supervisor Safety Awards and bonuses for job performance in 2008.

Results Prove Job Site Quality, Safety and Efficiency Are “Worth Doing Right” A message from Leo Vecellio, Jr.
(1st/2nd Quarter 2009) -- “If something’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” That old saying is just as true today as it’s ever been and we strive to take that attitude to heart throughout our organization.

Shelby Jarrell Retires After 52 Years Of Service
(1st/2nd Quarter 2009) -- After hiring on as a Laborer at Vecellio & Grogan more than five decades ago, Shelby Jarrell retires as a Vice President of Ranger Construction.

Smile... You're On 'Vecellio Group' Camera!
(1st/2nd Quarter 2009) -- Here are a few snapshots of some people behind the scenes at the Vecellio Group...

Great Deal For 401(k) Savers: 50% Match
(1st/2nd Quarter 2009) -- In a welcome bit of economic news, participants in the Vecellio Group’s 401(k) plan received the same generous gift from the company this year as in 2008 — a 50 percent match on all contributions up to 6 percent of an employee’s paycheck.

Vecellio Group's VanGuard Magazine, Marketing Brochure Earn 5 Communicator Awards
(1st/2nd Quarter 2009) -- The Vecellio Group's VanGuard newsmagazine and an energy division marketing brochure have been named five-time winners in the 2009 Communicator Awards, hosted by the International Academy of the Visual Arts.