DeVita & Associates, Inc., a Greenville, SC-based firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services and solutions, today announced the celebration of 25 years in business. Established in October 1984, DeVita began operations in Greenville with two employees. Currently with 50 employees, the company has offices in Midlothian, Va. and Kolkata, India.

“The past 25 years have been an exciting and successful journey,” commented Frank DeVita, the firm’s founder and president. “Reaching this significant milestone allows us to stop and reflect on our accomplishments. Our employee-owners, our loyal and longstanding clients, and our business partners have all played a critical role in shaping our company into the successful firm it is today, and we have much to be thankful for.”

In 2008, DeVita became an employee-owned company with the formation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). “Our employee-owners are committed to the success of our clients and our firm, and that is evident in the consistent level of service we have provided to our clients over the years.” DeVita’s management team includes Frank DeVita serving as President; Derrick Hiott, Vice President and General Manager of the Precast Division; Lee Chapman, General Manager of the Commercial Division; Craig Boozer, Controller; James Williams, General Manager of DeVita & Associates of Virginia, LLC; and Atinendu Deb Roy, Chief Operating Officer of DeVita Engineering (India) Pvt. Ltd.

The company continues to be guided by its core values and client-centered focus that the DeVita name was built on. Its management team and employee-owners uphold the firm’s mission to continue successful growth by exceeding client expectations, achieving operational excellence and developing outstanding people. This commitment has resulted in the firm’s recognition as one of South Carolina’s Fastest Growing Companies in 2007 and 2008 and one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina in 2008.

DeVita & Associates, Inc. – a Greenville-based firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services – has been selected for several AT&T and Tractor Supply stores.

Working with architectural firms BRPH and Kamus + Keller, DeVita is providing mechanical, electrical and plumbing design services for the AT&T projects throughout the southeast region of the United States. The engineering design is for a prototype up-fit, and the stores range from 3,500 to 5,000 square feet each.

The Tractor Supply projects include four prototype stores and one retrofit store, and each store is between 15,000 and 24,000 feet. DeVita, working with Oxford Architects and ICS, is providing mechanical, electrical and plumbing design services for these projects located in California, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas.

DeVita & Associates, Inc., a Greenville-based engineering firm, announced today the formation of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Under the terms of the plan, DeVita will be a 100% employee-owned company.

“At no time has DeVita & Associates been better positioned for this transition,” commented Frank DeVita, founder and president. “We have talented people who are committed to our firm and its growth, an experienced management team and strong operations and client relationships. We have the best people for the markets we’re competing in, and to help support the firm’s continued success it was time to expand the ownership group and provide our employees with a stake in the company as it continues to grow.”

DeVita’s management team will remain the same with Frank DeVita serving as President; Derrick Hiott, Vice President and General Manager of the Precast Division; Lee Chapman, General Manager of the Commercial Division; Craig Boozer, Controller; James Williams, General Manager of DeVita & Associates of Virginia, LLC; and Atinendu Deb Roy, Chief Operating Officer of DeVita Engineering (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Frank DeVita and his Executive Team decided the time was right to determine the future of the company and began developing a leadership plan in 2006. After receiving inquiries about the business and its availability to be acquired, the team agreed that employee ownership was the best choice for the future of DeVita & Associates.

“Who better to partner with than the people who have contributed to the success of this firm,” DeVita said. “An ESOP fits our culture very well because we have employees who already act like owners, and that is the best way to create a firm that will last through multiple generations of leadership.”

With 65 employees world-wide, DeVita & Associates has seen significant growth and success over the past several years, including the formation of DeVita and Associates of Virginia in 2008 and establishment of DeVita Engineering (India) in 2007, both wholly-owned subsidiaries of DeVita & Associates, Inc. DeVita was named one of South Carolina’s Fastest Growing Companies in 2007 and 2008 and was also named one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina in 2008; both are testaments to the company’s commitment to the success of its clients and employees.

“I am excited for everyone at DeVita,” commented Derrick Hiott. “We all work hard to provide quality services that exceed our client expectations, and this ESOP is an excellent way to reward the people who are committed to our company and its mission.” In addition to the ESOP, DeVita opted to continue the company’s 401(k) plan.

Research shows that employee owned companies that effectively promote employee involvement outperform competitors by a substantial margin.

DeVita & Associates, Inc. – a Greenville-based firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services – is pleased to announce its involvement in the Camp Spearhead project.

Working with DP3 Architects, DeVita provided mechanical, electrical and plumbing design services for several facilities at the camp’s new location in Pleasant Ridge Park. The project includes a lodge with a dining hall and kitchen, administration building, four cabin pods with four cabins each, and an activities building.

Founded in 1969 and operated by the Greenville County Recreation District, Camp Spearhead is a residential camp for youth and adults with special needs. The camp is relocating to its permanent home in Pleasant Ridge Park after the land it was located on since 1990 was recently sold.

DeVita & Associates, Inc. – a Greenville-based firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services – recently completed several projects for national retailers Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.

Working with Atlanta-based architectural firm Phillips Partnership, P.C., DeVita provided mechanical, electrical and plumbing design services for these projects. Recent Urban Outfitters stores completed are located in San Antonio, Texas; Paramus, N.J.; Savannah, Ga. and Albuquerque, N.M.

DeVita is currently working on a store for Urban Outfitters in a 207-year-old building in Charlottesville, Va. The firm also completed renovation projects for Anthropologie stores in Greensboro, N.C. and Ridgeland, Miss.

DeVita worked on plans for a total of 15 new or renovated Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie stores, ranging in size from 8,000 to 12,000 square feet each. Both of these retailers provide unique clothing, jewelry and products for the home and have locations throughout the United States.

DeVita & Associates, Inc. was honored as one of the Palmetto state’s top-performing companies during the presentation of the South Carolina’s Fastest-Growing Companies^sm 2008 program’s Top 25 winners, where it was ranked 17th in the state. In addition, the engineering firm is ranked 18th on the 2008 list of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina among small- to medium-sized companies.

The South Carolina’s Fastest-Growing Companies program, co-sponsored by Elliott Davis, LLC and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, recognizes an exceptional and diverse assembly of businesses from across the state. For the past seven years, Elliott Davis and the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce have named a list of 25 entities as South Carolina’s Fastest-Growing Companies, chosen for percentage increases in both gross revenue (or assets) and full-time employment over the previous fiscal year.

The Best Places to Work in South Carolina initiative, produced by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the Society for Human Resource Management’s SC State Council and SC BIZ Magazine, identifies and recognizes South Carolina’s most innovative and top-notch employers. The selection process is based on a two-part assessment, including a questionnaire about employee benefits, policies and procedures and an employee survey, conducted by independent research firm Best Companies Group. The Best Places to Work in South Carolina initiative seeks to raise the bar among our state’s employers by promoting excellence and employee satisfaction in the workplace.

“Being recognized as one of South Carolina’s Fastest-Growing Companies this year is certainly an honor and a designation that allows us, as a high-growth firm, to stop and reflect on our recent accomplishments,” commented Frank DeVita, the firm’s founder and president. “And I’ve always known that we traditionally have had very hard-working and committed people here at DeVita and being named to the list of the Best Places to Work, although a pleasant surprise, was a testament to the commitment level of our employees. We are pleased that our achievements and work philosophy have earned these distinctions, and I directly attribute our success to our clients and employees.”

This is the first year DeVita & Associates has participated in the Best Places to Work in South Carolina program and the second consecutive year the firm has been named to the Top 25 list of South Carolina’s Fastest-Growing Companies.

DeVita & Associates, Inc. – a Greenville-based firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services – recently completed several projects for Red Robin Gourmet Hamburgers.

DeVita was selected to provide mechanical, electrical and plumbing design services for six Red Robin locations throughout the Southeast and the firm has recently completed projects in Farragut, Tenn.; Panama City, Fla.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Mishawaka, Ind. DeVita worked with DP3 Architects of Greenville, S.C., on these projects, which included both stand alone restaurants and in-lines.

DeVita & Associates – a Greenville-based engineering firm providing mechanical, electrical, structural and precast consulting and design services – recently announced the addition of four professionals to its staff.

Catherine Lilie, P.E., joins DeVita’s Precast Division as a Structural Engineer. She will apply her specialized precast/prestressed concrete experience to assist with drawings and shop tickets and to coordinate project details for precast structures. Prior to joining DeVita, Lilie worked as a Structural Engineer at HWH Architects Engineers Planners, Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio for eight years. Lilie, a Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.), is a graduate of Ohio University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

Carrie Scott joins DeVita as the Human Resources/Payroll Specialist. With nearly 10 years of experience, Scott will manage benefits programs, coordinate hiring efforts and oversee payroll and other duties related to human resources. Her previous work experience includes serving as the Human Resources Manager for First Data Merchant Services and Cintas Corporation. Scott attended the University of South Carolina where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources Management & Marketing. She is certified as a Six Sigma Yellow Belt and earned OSHA certification in 2004. Scott is also a member of the Junior League of Greenville, having recently served on the Board of Directors and currently serves as the co-chair for Home Run for Healthy Kids.

James “Tim” Tharpe joins DeVita’s Commercial Division as an Electrical Designer and is responsible for designing lighting and distribution systems. He has extensive experience in electrical design having worked at Jordan & Skala Engineers in Norcross, Ga. as an Electrical Designer for 14 years. Prior to that, he worked as an AutoCAD Draftsman for Tanner Consultants, Inc. in Buford, Ga. Tharpe studied Drafting at Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville, Ga.

Fred Walker, P.E., joins DeVita as Mechanical Group Leader for the Commercial Division. In this position, he will facilitate and oversee design work for mechanical and plumbing engineers, designers and CAD operators. Walker has more than 25 years of experience and comes to DeVita from Pickering Associates in Parkersburg, W. Va. where he served as Senior Mechanical Engineer for more than six years. His experience also includes working as an independent engineering consultant and as a Plant Engineer with American Electric Power Co. for 13 years. Walker graduated from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, Tenn. where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from David Lipscomb University. He is a Professional Engineer (P.E.) registered in seven states and is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

DeVita & Associates, Inc. – a Greenville-based firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services – is pleased to announce that it was recently selected to provide design services for a SPINX Convenience Store.

Working with Greenville-based DP3 Architects, DeVita is providing mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering design services for a new SPINX location in Piedmont, SC. SPINX’s latest store design features more than 4,500 square feet of space designed to meet consumers’ demand for fast, convenient services and high quality products. The SPINX Company, Inc. operates more than 75 convenience stores, primarily throughout Upstate, SC and along the I-85 corridor, and supplies gasoline to an additional 60 stations in North and South Carolina.

DeVita & Associates, Inc. – a Greenville-based engineering firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services – recently completed a precast engineering and design project in Nashville, TN.

DeVita provided engineering and design services for the River Pier Landing Condos, which is comprised of five elevated levels of 18 condominiums, 17,000 square feet of retail space and 370 parking spaces. This Total Precast Building System features a restaurant under the parking deck and integrated precast balconies. Consisting of brick and sandblast finishes with reveals, the structure involved extensive design and detailing, including 590 total precast/prestressed members for the parking structure and 1,060 precast/prestressed members for the condos. Metromont Corporation was the precast producer for the project. The architect for the project was Artech Design Group out of Chattanooga, TN.

DeVita & Associates – a Greenville-based engineering firm providing mechanical, electrical, structural and precast consulting and design services – is pleased to announce the addition of Richard Hanks, Olin Blanton and Thomas McClintock to its staff of professionals.

Richard Hanks joins the firm as a Mechanical Designer in DeVita’s Commercial Division. In this position, he will design HVAC and plumbing systems for commercial and industrial projects. Hanks has extensive experience in mechanical design having worked at LeBlanc-Welch in Greenville, SC and Diversified Design in Anderson, SC as a Mechanical Designer. Hanks graduated from Clemson University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Olin Blanton and Thomason McClintock join DeVita as Project Coordinators in DeVita’s Precast Division and will complete checking of overall design, documentation and detailing of structural precast/prestressed concrete structures.

Blanton has 28 years of precast experience and comes to DeVita from Metromont Corporation where he served as Area Sales Manager. He graduated from Spartanburg Technical College where he earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Design Technology Management, and he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Wesleyan University.

Prior to joining DeVita, McClintock worked at Coreslab Structures Inc., in Columbia, SC as a Master Scheduler/Safety Manager/Materials Manager for nearly four years. His experience also includes work as a Production Administrator for Ohio Valley Precast in Fairfield, OH, and Project Planner for Flexicore Systems, Inc. in Huber Heights, OH. McClintock is a graduate of Ohio State University where he earned is Bachelor of Science degree.

DeVita & Associates of Virginia – a full-service engineering consulting and design firm based in Midlothian, Va. – is pleased to announce that it has added two new employees to its staff. DeVita & Associates of Virginia, formerly Quality Design Consultants, is provides precast design and consulting services as well as mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural engineering for regional clients and projects.

Vladimir Ekshtat joins the firm as a Precast Drafter. In this position, he will assist in preparing structural precast drawings and shop tickets and coordinate project details for precast structures. Ekshtat most recently worked for CEI, Inc. in Ashland, VA as a Drafter. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in telecommunications engineering from Moscow Telecommunication University in Moscow, Russia.

Rich B. Trinca, Jr., joins DeVita as Project Manager working closely with precast project teams to oversee the design, documentation and detailing of precast projects. Trinca comes to DeVita from UNI-T Alternative Energy in Loganton, PA, where he served as President. Other work experience includes Product Development and Marketing Directory for T&A CAD Services, Project Manager/Systems Manager at CEI and Design Engineer for Pittsburgh Flexicore. Trinca, who holds an AutoCAD Advanced certification, attended Georgia Tech and majored in Aerospace Engineering.

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DeVita & Associates, Inc. – a Greenville-based firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services – is pleased to announce that it has completed projects for two retail programs in the foodservice market.

DeVita provided mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural design services for two Farm Fresh Stores. The firm worked with the Atlanta office of Lyman, Davidson, Dooley, Inc. (LDDI) on these projects. Farm Fresh Stores is an upscale supermarket chain with 44 stores in Hampton Roads and Richmond, VA and Elizabeth City, NC.

DeVita also provided mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering design services for several new Jason’s Deli stores built in Charlotte, NC; Dallas, TX and Chandler, AZ. The firm worked with DP3 Architects, Ltd. in Greenville, SC on these projects. Jason’s Deli is a restaurant chain with nearly 200 locations throughout the U.S.

DeVita & Associates, Inc. – a Greenville-based engineering firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services – recently completed the Pelham & 85 Commerce Center project in Greenville, SC.

DeVita provided precast engineering and design for the 108,000 square foot office/warehouse facility. With 50,000 square feet of exterior precast walls, the project involved extensive design and detailing of the eight inch thick insulated precast/prestressed wall panels. Metromont Corporation was the precast producer for the project. The architect for the project was RMS Architecture, and the general contractor was Marsh Bell Construction Company.

DeVita & Associates, Inc. – a Greenville-based firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services – was recently selected to provide engineering design services for one T.J. Maxx store and four Havertys Furniture stores.

Working with the Tampa office of Lyman, Davidson, Dooley, Inc. (LDDI), DeVita is providing mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural engineering design services for a new T.J. Maxx location in Sumter, SC. T.J. Maxx is a Massachusetts-based off-price retailer with more than 850 stores nationwide.

DeVita was also selected to provide mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering design services for Havertys locations in Jacksonville, FL; Mobile, AL; Little Rock, AR; and Murphreesboro, TN. The firm is working with MSTSD of Atlanta, GA on these projects. Havertys is a full-service specialty retailer of home furnishings and accessories with over 100 locations throughout 17 states.

DeVita & Associates – a Greenville-based engineering firm providing mechanical, electrical, structural and precast consulting and design services – is pleased to announce the addition of Stacy Frady, Sanders Gatlin, Ryan Gray and Elaine Roberts to its staff.

Stacy Frady joins the firm as a Structural Engineer in the Precast Division. In this position, he will assist with precast drawings and shop tickets and coordinate project details for precast structures. Frady has several years of experience in Structural CAD and Engineering and most recently worked at Seaboard Services in Taylors, SC and at DBE prior to that. Frady graduated from Clemson University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.

Sanders Gatlin joins DeVita as a Mechanical Engineer. He will be the lead mechanical designer for various commercial and industrial projects. Prior to joining DeVita, he worked as a Mechanical Engineer specializing in HVAC design for Diversified Technology, Inc. in Greenville. Gatlin is a graduate of Clemson University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Ryan Gray, E.I.T. joins the firm as an Electrical Engineer. He will design electrical systems for a variety of industrial and commercial projects. Before coming to DeVita, he worked as an Electrician for J. Frank Blakely in Spartanburg, SC. Gray is a graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he earned is Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering obtained registration as an E.I.T. (Engineer In Training).

Elaine Roberts joins DeVita as a Structural Designer and will be responsible for producing structural drawings and project details. She previously worked as a Designer for Bonitz Contracting in Greenville, SC, producing shop drawings and ship tickets for light gauge manufactured panels. She is a graduate of Greenville Technical College, where she majored in Architectural Engineering and earned Associate’s degrees in Architectural Technology, Construction Technology and Advance CAD. She is a member in Architectural Engineering Committee at Greenville Tech and a former member of National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).

To sustain its growth and expand into the Mid-Atlantic region, DeVita & Associates announced today the acquisition of Virginia-based Quality Design Consultants (QDC), an engineering firm with 18 years of successful business in the Richmond area, forming DeVita & Associates of Virginia, LLC. With the acquisition completed in December 2007, DeVita, a full service engineering consulting firm based in Greenville, SC, is well positioned to provide professional design services to the booming construction market in the region.

“There is much growth and opportunity throughout the Virginia region, especially for our Precast division, and we felt that QDC was a perfect match, sharing our core business values and our vision to grow and serve the market regionally,” commented Frank DeVita, President of DeVita & Associates, Inc. “Teaming up with QDC will not only expand our market presence in the Mid-Atlantic region but it will enhance our ability to recruit talent to the firm.”

DeVita & Associates, recently named one of South Carolina’s Fastest-Growing Companies^sm Top 25 winners, has experienced significant growth over the past several years, and the move to acquire QDC is designed to sustain this high-growth trend by bringing additional market opportunities and expanding its recruiting area for engineers and other technical professionals.

“We are excited about becoming DeVita & Associates of Virginia,” commented James Williams, General Manager of DeVita’s Virginia office and former Principal of QDC. “We were immediately impressed with DeVita, its people and work ethics. The firm’s core values are centered on integrity, the key trait on which QDC was founded. ”Williams and former QDC Principal and Co-founder Glenn Burdette built QDC’s success by offering quality design and detailing service to regional precast concrete producers.

James Williams will serve as the General Manager of DeVita’s Virginia office. Williams, a Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensed in multiple states, has more than 24 years of engineering design and management experience.

According to DeVita, the firm plans to hire 10 to 12 professional engineers and support staff within the next 12 months for its new location. Initially, the Virginia office will focus on providing Precast design services for regional clients and projects and eventually will expand its Commercial division, including mechanical, electrical and structural engineering services, to the area.

“During our high-growth trend, first and foremost we seek to better serve all of our clients and the market needs for professional engineering services, and we feel confident that our expansion into the Virginia market will bring more opportunities to both our clients and associates,” DeVita added.

DeVita & Associates of Virginia will be located at 5309 Commonwealth Centre Parkway in Midlothian, Va. The company is currently seeking experienced engineers and other technical professionals with precast experience. For more information about DeVita and its Virginia office, please contact Frank DeVita at 864-232-6642 or James Williams at 804-732-4283.

DeVita & Associates, Inc. – a Greenville-based firm providing a full range of quality engineering design services – recently completed a precast project for Rudolph G. Gordon Elementary School in Simpsonville, SC.

DeVita provided precast engineering, drafting and design services for the project, which involved a steel structure with approximately 244 precast concrete panels, totaling nearly 54,000 square feet of concrete. Multiple colors of set brick were cast into portions of the panels and varying sandblast were applied to provide a complete 8 ½” thick exterior wall.

Metromont Corporation was the precast producer for the project. The architect for the project was McMillan, Smith & Partners, and the general contractor was Matrix Construction Company.