Making Waves

Chances are you've seen Scott Loiacano's work, even walked through it.

Thirty-year-old Loiacano, a project manager for Wright Construction Corp., has handled preconstruction aspects of projects ranging from major retail centers to residential towers.

Loiacano headed up the rebuilding of Fire Station No. 1 in Charlotte County, which was lost to Hurricane Charley. That project garnered the Best in Construction Summit Award, Metal Building Division, from the Lee Building Industry Association. He recently completed a building at Schandler Hall Community Park in Fort Myers, and was involved with the construction of two high-rises at Shell Point Retirement Community-the kind of multifaceted project he'd like to head up someday.

"My most recent notable projects were the SuperTarget stores on Ben Hill Griffin Parkway and at the corner of U.S. 41 and Daniels [Parkway] in Lee County. I'm particularly proud of them because they opened as scheduled, even though we had to deal with hurricanes and permitting delays," says Loiacano.

He also pioneered the company's metal-building division, a specialized team that designs and builds the pre-engineered buildings. "I oversee everything from design to fabrication to erection," he explains.

The Auburn University graduate credits his success in part to co-workers. "I couldn't do what I do without the skilled people I work with and learn from," he says.

And while work takes up most of this young professional's time, his personal life has gone to the dogs-in a good way. He and his wife, Becca, 29, volunteer for Homeward Bound, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rescuing and adopting retired and injured racing greyhounds. They help with education and finding homes for the dogs. "We got involved after adopting our first greyhound, Blitz, six years ago," says Loiacano. Now they are the proud companions of Dutch and Earl. "We want to raise awareness about these dogs so we can get them adopted."

He also actively supports Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Paralyzed Veterans of America. "Participating in organizations like this helps me strengthen my community," he says.

-Lauren Bernaldo