2024 Hall of Fame/Hall of Fame Legacy Award Winners
August 5, 2024
On August 3, 2024 Carolinas AGC celebrated hard work, perseverance and achievement. We paid tribute to ten individuals; five of whom have left an incredible legacy on our industry, and five who are still paving the road for future leaders to follow. Each of the individuals who were honored embodies the skill, integrity and responsibility that Carolinas AGC and the Associated General Contractors of America stand for. We hope that this award and event expressed the appreciation and gratitude that we have for them, their companies and their work.
The winners and their families were honored at the 2024 Carolinas AGC Summit in Myrtle Beach, SC.
Hall of Fame Legacy Awards
Andy Clark, Clark Pavement Marking
Mr. Andrew Larry Clark (Andy), an Apex, NC native, was just 69 years old when he passed away in September 2023. Andy started his adulthood driving dump trucks and then moved on to be a dispatcher for the State Highway Patrol. It was during this employment he became interested in striping parking lots as a part-time job. Finding his passion for striping in the 1980’s, he left the Highway Patrol and began striping full-time, eventually expanding into the NC roadways. After a catastrophic work zone accident and rehabilitation, he sold his assets in 1987 to Allied Striping and became an employee of Allied for a short period, running their North Carolina operations.
In 1989, Andy started Clark Pavement Marking, Inc. with five employees, which eventually peaked at 100 employees. Clark Pavement Marking was Andy’s life, and his workforce was considered his extended family. Safety was of the utmost importance to him, and his goal was to always bring “his boys” home the same way he sent them out.
Andy was an initial member of the Carolinas ATSSA Chapter (American Traffic Safety Services Association), as well as a member of CAGC, CAPA, ARBTA, and the NC Truckers Association. He was also a huge private supporter of many charities throughout Wake County and North Carolina, but the Miracle League of the Triangle, Special Olympics, and the Central and Eastern North Carolina Food Bank were most important to him.
Berry Jenkins, Carolinas AGC
Berry Jenkins graduated from North Carolina State University in 1965 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Upon obtaining his PE, he went to work for NCDOT for 32 years until his first retirement in 1997. For his contributions and service to the State of North Carolina he was granted the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is the highest honor given by the Governor.
Berry then joined Carolinas AGC as the North Carolina Highway Director. He strengthened the relationship between NCDOT and the Highway contractors through exemplary leadership of the CAGC/NCDOT Joint Committee and several other transportation specialty committees. In his 22 years with CAGC, Berry made a profound impact on association members and the construction industry; so much so that he was awarded the Carolinas AGC Build with the Best Pinnacle Award in 2015—the only CAGC employee to receive this award.
Carolinas AGC President & CEO, Dave Simpson, said “Berry and I worked side by side for 22 years while he was with CAGC after an exemplary career with the NC Department of Transportation. We really miss Berry and it's safe to say that he is smiling from Heaven about our Berry Jenkins Work Zone Safety Memorial Fund.”
Berry Jenkins, Carolinas AGC
F.A. Triplett, Fred Triplett, and Tom Triplett are Hall of Fame Legacy Winners from United Infrastructure Group.
Fredrick Amzi Triplett, known as F.A., was born in Chester, SC in 1889. In 1924, in partnership with R.H. Small, the Small-Triplett Construction Company began construction on its first bridge in Morristown, TN. His work later progressed into Alabama, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. In 1946, the partnership became F.A. Triplett, Inc., with F.A. as the sole owner.
F.A. was active in CAGC and passionate about contributing to the construction industry. The South Carolina Highway Commission referred to F.A. as a pioneer in bridge construction. He was known as a man of integrity with impeccable ethics who was held in high esteem by the highway industry, including his competitors, who he willingly helped when asked.
Mr. Fred Triplett, (son of F.A. Triplett) was born in 1927. Upon serving a year in the Army and graduating from Clemson College with a degree in Civil Engineering, Fred began his career in his father’s business. In 1952, he started the Inland Bridge Company, Inc. and built bridges in Georgia and the Carolinas.
In 1965, he and Jim Peek became co-owners of Triplett-Peek Inc., formerly F.A. Triplett, Inc. In 1970, Fred and his brother-in-law Bob Vaughan started Bridgebuilders Inc. as co-owners.
Fred was an innovator and inventor. He designed and built an overhead crane that was used on several of his bridge jobs in the 1950’s and 60’s. In 1976, he was honored as “Employer of the Year for South Carolina” by the Disabled American Veterans for his design and modification of a crane with hand controls to accommodate a disabled veteran and former crane operator. Fred was Chairman of the Bridge Division of the Carolinas AGC in 1981, member of the SCDOT/CAGC joint committee, and a member of the Board of Directors of South Carolinians for Better Transportation from 1982-1988.
Fred was active in civic affairs, as well serving on the Chester County School Board from 1967 to 1980, including a term as chairman in 1972. He was a member of the board of directors of Southern Bank and Trust, as well as the local board of directors of First Union National Bank. He was actively involved in his church, Purity Presbyterian, serving as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, deacon, and elder.
Mr. Tom Triplett (son of F.A. Triplett) was born in 1929 in Chester, SC. He graduated from Clemson College in 1951 with a Civil Engineering degree and formed Inland Bridge Company in 1952 with his brother Fred. In 1954, Tom went out on his own to become the sole owner of James T. Triplett, Inc.
Tom founded several companies including Shugart Mfg and Industrial Learning Corporation. He also co-founded L.R. Ryan Inc, A.E. Anderson Inc, and Ryan & Ryan, Inc. In 1978, he aligned several companies and key employees into United Contractors, which later became United Infrastructure Group.
In addition to his civic work and active political involvement, including running for U.S. Senate, Tom volunteered for many organizations including the South Carolina Traffic Safety Council and the National Research Council for the Construction Industry.
He diligently served on various CAGC committees and other transportation advocacy groups, as well as taught the Universal Enterprise System at George Washington University.
Tom was an inventor with 30 domestic and foreign patents, including barges, cranes, trailers, screeds, and forms. He authored the book “Where to America?” to promote a better understanding of free enterprise principles and develop an appreciation for America’s freedom and opportunity,
Like his father, Tom was respected by his contemporaries for his contribution to the construction industry and local, state, and federal organizations. He is remembered by many as being an avid American patriot.
Hall of Fame Awards
Claudia Dodgen, Crowder Constructors
Claudia Dodgen, who has been with Crowder since 2000, currently serves as Vice President of Employee Services and People Development. Her oversight ranges from HR and Benefits to Crowder YOUniversity, an integrated learning and coaching track for all Crowder employees. Prior to joining Crowder, Claudia worked with Provant, a performance management consulting organization, and was a co-owner and principal with LeadFirst & Associates, Inc., a leadership development and change management firm. Her passion is using her expertise to focus on Crowder’s Leader Development.
Claudia has been an integral part of Carolinas AGC’s HR Committee since 2010, and she has served as Chair of that committee several different times. She also volunteers on the NC Bar Association/CAGC Joint Committee, the CAGC Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the CAGC Council on Women in Construction, and has served many years on the CAGC Foundation Board of Trustees. Additionally, she serves as a NC Business Group on Health board member and has chaired The Learning Collaborative in Charlotte.
Bill Norwood, State Utility Contractors, Inc.
Bill Norwood began his career with Dickerson Utility in 1977, and he played a pivotal role in the establishment of State Utility Contractors when the company transitioned from the Dickerson Group. Starting as an estimator, Bill's dedication and leadership qualities quickly propelled him through the ranks; by 1993, he had ascended to the position of President, marking the beginning of a transformative era for the company.
Under Bill's visionary leadership, State Utility Contractors flourished. He was instrumental in the company's transition to a 100% Employee-Owned Company in 2008 and growing the team of 50 employees to more than 150 by the time he retired in 2016. This growth underscored his effective leadership and commitment to fostering a thriving work environment.
Bill was highly committed to Carolinas AGC and his community. His CAGC involvement included volunteering on the Workforce Development Board, the NC PAC Governing Committee, the NC Legislative Committee, and the CAGC Board of Directors, where he served as Chair in 2006. His active participation in various organizations throughout Union County earned him Union County Man of the Year in 2010. His legacy is marked not only by his professional accomplishments but also by his unwavering commitment to community service and employee empowerment.
Lynn Shealy, Mashburn Construction
Lynn Shealy graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1974 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He began his career with Daniel Construction Company in the Nuclear Power division and worked at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station as Area Civil Engineer where he was later promoted to Project Civil Engineer. Lynn then joined the GMK Architectural Firm and started its general contracting division. In 1985, Mashburn Construction hired Lynn as a Project Manager, where he rose through the ranks to ultimately serve as President. Lynn finished his career as Vice-Chairman of the Board for Mashburn Construction from 2011-2013.
During his career, Lynn actively served the construction industry in several capacities. He co-chaired the CAGC/AIA joint committee and participated in CAGC’s Workforce Development Committee, where he represented CAGC in the political arena with the SC State Board of Education. As a Workforce Development representative, Lynn worked for many years with SC Midlands school districts, especially Lexington School District One, developing curriculum and encouraging students in the trades of construction, and then hiring them as interns and later as full-time employees. Lynn was also active in developing curriculum at Midlands Technical College for the construction industry. Lynn also served on the CAGC Board for two different terms and was Building Division Chair in 2003-2004.
Mike Trammell, FORVIS
Mike Trammel, lead partner with Forvis Mazars (formerly FORVIS), has been an active member of Carolinas AGC for over four decades. Mike has over 35 years of experience working as a trusted advisor to contractors of all types and sizes, providing them advisory, assurance, and tax strategy services. He assists companies with operational, strategic, risk management, and succession issues, as well as financial and management systems, and tax planning. He also works with various construction-related groups concerning the long-term health of the industry and its member firms. Mike often speaks to construction industry groups, including Carolina AGC, regarding organizational leadership, as well as industry-specific issues.
Dedicating his entire professional career working in the construction industry, Mike has served as a controller and CFO for a general contracting firm and also holds a South Carolina General Contractors License. He is an active member of the American Institute of CPAs, and serves as an AGC Media Resource member, in addition to being a longtime CAGC sponsor. A graduate of Wofford College with a B.S. degree in accounting, he is past member of the alumni executive council and Terrier Club board of directors and is very involved in the community where he lives.
Jim Triplett, United Infrastructure Group
Jim Triplett serves as CEO of United Infrastructure Group, a third generation design-build organization started by his grandfather F. A. Triplett in 1924 and continued by his uncle Fred Triplett and father Tom Triplett. He began working for his father in 1974 at the young age of nine and then went on to receive his BSCE from Clemson University in 1986. Jim officially began his structural engineering career with Ralph Whitehead & Associates before returning to his father’s company in 1992.
Jim is active in the design and construction industry in the Southeast and routinely serves on various boards and committees for AGC, ARTBA, AASHTO/AGC/ARTBA National Joint Committee, and several other industry organizations. In regard to CAGC, Jim has served on the SCDOT/CAGC joint Committee since 2003, the South Carolina Bridge Committee for many years, and on both the CAGC Foundation Board of Trustees and the CAGC Board of Directors. He has even opened his own home to host CAGC member events. Outside of his professional work, Jim serves as a Deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill and in various other capacities with several community ministries.