Wednesday, July 2, 2025
By: Cara Jackson

From schools to major hospitals, Curtis DeLaquil (BSBC ’04), Chris Newton and Jake Nellis (BSBC ’01) are reshaping the Tampa Bay area — not just through what they build, but through how they mentor and lead. All three began their careers at JE Dunn Construction. Whether rebuilding after disasters or leading multimillion-dollar health care expansions, their work can be found across the city they call home.

Their professional paths have been closely linked for more than two decades, but they started at the University of Florida. Together, they’ve played a foundational role in developing and growing JE Dunn’s Tampa office with a focus on educational and hospital facilities.

All three began their careers in the early 2000s, and in 2015, they were reunited at the newly established Tampa office. “When I had the opportunity to come down to Florida and work with Curtis and Jake and start the office up, I jumped at the opportunity,” Newton said.

What began as a six-person team has grown to more than 60 employees, including the three UF alumni.

“Curtis and Chris and I just get each other. We’ve worked together so long, there’s an ease and trust. That kind of synergy is rare,” Nellis said.

Shared beginning, different paths

While all three began at the same place, each brought a distinct perspective to JE Dunn.

DeLaquil, a 2004 graduate of UF’s M.E. Rinker, Sr. School of Construction Management, initially worked on high-rise urban projects in Atlanta for JE Dunn. In 2009, he shifted his focus to educational construction after working on a summer renovation at Sutton Middle School. Now he is the group manager at JE Dunn’s Tampa office.

“From that point forward, I stayed on school construction projects,” DeLaquil said. His early experience with complex educational builds helped him continue leading school projects after relocating to Tampa.

In Tampa, he led the $58.6 million reconstruction of Clearwater High School while the school remained in session and helped rebuild Tampa Heights Elementary School after

Hurricane Irma. He is also the president of the ACE Mentor Program of Tampa Bay and volunteers with local youth sports through the YMCA and Tampa Bay Little League.

Chris Newton followed a different path. A 2001 graduate of the Warrington College of Business, he earned his degree in finance but shifted his career to construction after he discovered a passion for building.

He began his journey with JE Dunn in 2001 and is now a general superintendent who leads field operations for multiple major builds, including The VIV, the firm’s first

high-rise and largest project in the area by square footage.

“I’ll always be a builder at heart,” Newton said. “Now, I’m more in the realm of building people than I am of building buildings.”

Newton originally helped lead the Morton Plant Hospital expansion, a project left behind by another company, which became JE Dunn’s first major health care project in Tampa. At the time, there were still only approximately 10 employees, who were all working on the project.

“We’re the new kid on the block in the multifamily market down here in the Tampa Bay area,” Newton said. “But we feel like we are setting ourselves apart in the market, and the sky’s the limit.”

Nellis, a Tampa native and 2001 Rinker School graduate, was initially drawn to golf course architecture. But his early construction experience from his father and encouragement from fraternity brothers directed him to building.

Now vice president and office leader for JE Dunn’s Tampa office, Nellis has overseen projects across the state and helped grow the team from six employees to more than

60. He highlights projects like Tampa General Hospital and Tampa Heights Elementary among the most meaningful projects he’s worked on.

More than the blueprints

These alumni aren’t solely connected by alma mater or resumes; they share beliefs in mentorship, collaboration and giving back to the communities they serve.

As president of the ACE Mentor Program of Tampa Bay, DeLaquil helps high school students with hands-on experience in fields such as architecture, construction and engineering.

“Learning about the kind of struggles these kids have, and knowing that you are helping them become a better version of themselves …is pretty rewarding,” DeLaquil said. “It’s not something that you can describe — just a pretty cool feeling.”

Nellis is active on the boards of the Academy Prep Center of Tampa, St. Mary’s School and Jesuit High School, where he supports long-term planning and facilities committees. He also helped nominate the Academy Prep Center of Tampa for JE Dunn’s $150,000 Cornerstone Grant.

“A lot of my nonprofit work is all education-based,” Nellis said. “We love working with schools and great opportunities for children, teachers and administrators, to have a better learning environment,”

Newton’s impact centers on supporting his teams and mentoring on and off job sites. “I’m more into making sure that we are supporting all of our folks,” he said. “My pride now is watching them grow and learn in their careers.”

The next generation

Even as their careers have progressed, DeLaquil, Newton and Nellis remain committed to helping the next generation of builders. They frequently attend career fairs and industry events, providing insights on not just the technical side of construction but also on the values that define them.

They all emphasize the importance of character, commitment and the willingness to step up.

For DeLaquil, that means encouraging young professionals to challenge themselves and stay committed. Nellis frames it through servant leadership, advising students to lead through service early in their careers. Newton reminds future builders that fulfillment often lies in the work itself, not just the outcome.

“Construction is not easy,” Newton said. “The world is not easy, but it’s very rewarding. You have to be in it for the right reasons. You have to love it. You have to be passionate.”

Even after decades in the field, their passion hasn’t faded.

“I’ve told people before that I could win the lottery tomorrow, and I’d probably keep doing my job,” Newton said, “because I enjoy it so much.”