WTS Arkansas September Lunch Program

1200 President Clinton Avenue,Little Rock AR 72201

15 September, 2022

Description

WTS Arkansas's quarterly lunch program will be hosted at the Clinton Presidential Center on September 15. Join us as we hear from a panelists of professionals speaking on supply chain issues and outlook for the Arkansas Transportation Construction Industry. The panel will be moderated by Matt Benzanson, Garver Program Controls Manager. Matt Bezanson is an infrastructure professional with a broad range of experience including project finance, risk management, design, and construction management of major public works projects. He has strong understanding of risk and project finance from his experience as an infrastructure investor where he closed more than $6 billion worth of privately financed infrastructure transactions. Matt is a Program Controls Manager at Garver and focuses on helping clients optimize their project costs and schedules to get the most out of their funding. The panelists will include Grady Harvell, W&W|AFCO Steel President & COO, David Foster, APAC Central Area Manager & Senior Project Manager, and Steve Thweatt, Lion Oil Company Senior Director. Please read their biographies below to learn a little bit more about these amazing leaders! Grady E. Harvell is an Arkansas native who rose from humble beginnings to become an accomplished engineer and executive leader of the largest structural steel fabrication and erection company in North America – W&W|AFCO Steel. Harvell received his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering, graduating as the Senior Scholar, from the University of Arkansas. After graduation, Harvell began his working career as an engineer trainee at Little Rock-based AFCO Steel in 1972. The year 2022 marks Harvell’s 50th year with the company (now W&W|AFCO Steel). After nearly a decade working as an engineer, in 1980, Harvell became AFCO Steel’s General Sales Manager. In this role, he was charged with managing various aspects of AFCO’s operation, from estimating building and bridge projects to ensuring their timely completion. In 2002, AFCO Steel was purchased by W&W Steel of Oklahoma City, and the two companies merged to become W&W|AFCO Steel. In 2018, Harvell played a crucial role in W&W|AFCO Steel’s purchase of Hirschfield Steel of San Angelo, Texas. With the acquisition of Hirschfield Steel, W&W|AFCO Steel became the largest structural steel fabrication and erection company in North America. Harvell was named President and COO of AFCO Steel in 2002. In 2015, he transitioned into the same role with W&W|AFCO Steel – the role that he continues to hold today. Harvell is a member of various professional societies, has served on various boards and councils, and has received numerous awards throughout his accomplished career. In 2020, he was inducted into the University of Arkansas College of Engineering Hall of Fame. In 2022, Harvell received the American Institute of Steel Construction Lifetime Achievement Award and was also inducted into the Arkansas Construction Hall of Fame. David Foster received his BS in Civil engineering in May of 1989 from the University of Arkansas. From there, he went on to work for the Federal Highway Administration from 1989 to 1996. At the FHWA, David was a part of the Highway Engineer Training Program and went on to become the Area Engineer for the southern portion of the state, including Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette and Lake Charles. In 1997, David moved back to Arkansas and became the Field Engineer for ArDOT in the Harrison RE office. From there, he became the assistant RE & RE in the Bentonville RE office. In 2005, David started at APAC – Central, where he works as an Area Manager/ Sr. Project manager. He currently works on estimating for Oklahoma and Arkansas operations, aggregate/asphalt production and construction operations in northwest Arkansas. In 2015, he was inducted into the Arkansas Academy of Civil Engineers. Steve Thweatt has worked in the asphalt business since 1978. He has seen the asphalt industry change and grow with Chris-T, Riffe, New England Petrol, Charter Oil, Elf Asphalt, Koch Industries, Sem Materials, Ergonomic/Lion Oil, and Delek Asphalt. He has held a multitude of positions such as Operations Manager, VP of Operations and Transportation, Supply and Transportation Manager, Sales Manager, and VP Asphalt Marketing. Steve is currently the Senior Director at Lion Oil Company where he oversees operations, marketing, logistics, and technology. Steve is also on the Board of Directors for AAPA, Cystic Fibrosis, and Wright Asphalt Texas.