BOCA RATON, FL Kaufman Lynn Construction, an award-winning full-service construction management and general contracting company, is poised for growth with the expansion of its Estero, Florida, office and a newly opened Cary, North Carolina, office. The company has also announced a series of new hires and promotions.

"The past year has been an exciting time for us as increased demand for new projects has required us to expand our regional presence and executive team," said Michael Kaufman, President and CEO of Kaufman Lynn Construction. "We're thrilled to secure and promote top notch construction industry professionals who bring a fresh perspective, varied project experience and the highest level of commitment to excellence to Kaufman Lynn. They will help us to continue advancing our clients' visions beyond their expectations."

Tom Thrasher has been named Vice President of Operations in Kaufman Lynn's South Florida headquarters. Thrasher is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating project administrative and field activities including timeliness and budget considerations.  An Indianapolis, Indiana, native, Thrasher possesses 24 years of industry experience in heavy-civil, industrial, commercial and multi-family projects across the United States. He's held positions with Batson-Cook Construction, W.G. Yates and Sons, and Archer-Western/Walsh Construction. Thrasher's work experience includes building multiple dam projects, call centers and data centers for Blue Cross Blue Shield in Texas and various multifamily projects in several states. He was instrumental in completing a design-build new manufacturing facility for Mitsubishi Power Systems in Georgia that includes a zero-atmosphere chamber for testing electric turbine generators. Thrasher is OSHA 30-hour and LEED accredited. He holds a Bachelor of Science in construction engineering and management from Purdue University.

Jeff Blong has joined Kaufman Lynn Construction as Vice President of Preconstruction in its South Florida headquarters. Blong is responsible for the daily management, supervision, coordination and successful completion of the preconstruction phase of projects to meet cost objectives with respect to contracting, scheduling, estimating, purchasing and bidding of all major projects. Also, from Indianapolis, Indiana, Blong's 28 years of experience in the construction industry has encompassed work on a variety of commercial projects including performing arts centers, airports, churches and athletic facilities. He has held positions with Manhattan Construction Co., Hunt Construction Group, Hensel Phelps Construction Co., and others. A key project in his portfolio includes the Star in Frisco for the Dallas Cowboys, which serves as their new HQ and training facility. Blong received LEED AP BC+C accreditation and holds a Bachelor of Science in building construction & contracting from Purdue University.

Derek Wolfhope and Dan Root have both been promoted to Vice Presidents of Operations.

Wolfhope, originally from Richmond, Virginia, is a 10-year Kaufman Lynn Construction team member. Notable projects he's contributed to include the Art Square in Hallandale, Claude Pepper Community Center, Signature at Doral, South of Atlantic in Delray Beach, Residences at Broken Sound, Pembroke Pines YMCA, and Evernia Place in West Palm Beach. He's also contributed to the renovations of Palm Beach State College and the construction of numerous multi-family garden-style communities. Prior to joining Kaufman Lynn, Wolfhope held positions at Cornerstone Group, Pulte Homes and American Infrastructure. He is LEED AP accredited and holds a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Pennsylvania State University.

Dan Root, who oversees Kaufman Lynn's newly expanded Estero office in Southwest Florida is a Redding, Connecticut native whose experience spans 25 years in the construction of commercial, medical, hospitality and senior living facilities. Root recently led Kaufman Lynn's preconstruction and construction effort for Moorings Park at Grey Oaks, a new Continuing Care Retirement Community in Southwest Florida that included the construction of 12 residential buildings and site development. The project was recognized with an Excellence in Construction award by the Associated Builders and Contractors Florida Gulf Coast Chapter. Prior to working at Kaufman Lynn for four years as a senior project manager and project executive, Root held various positions over 17 years at TRITEC Building Company, Inc. and at Dynamic Building Corp. Root is OSHA 30-hour accredited and has certified general contracting licenses in Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. He majored in Business Administration at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire.

The company has also named Bryan Ardner as Vice President of preconstruction to lead Kaufman Lynn Construction's new Cary, North Carolina, office. Originally from Tiffin, Ohio, Ardner moved to North Carolina in 2009. He began his construction career by working in the field in 1978 and has since held positions with Danis Construction/RN Rouse, Lathrop Construction. Ardner has been instrumental in the construction of many healthcare projects, corporate offices and critical space data centers. He was also an integral member of the construction team for the Toledo Mud Hens Stadium. Ardner has earned an OSHA 30-hour accreditation and holds a bachelor's degree in construction management from the University of Cincinnati.