When new hires make headlines

In the latest update on Florida's unemployment rate, which currently stands at 10.6%, the Agency for Workforce Innovation said the state's construction industry shed 14,300 jobs, or 4.1% of all workers, over the year.

So when a construction firm hires new employees — even just a handful — it's news.

This time, the growing business is Willis A. Smith Construction Inc., a Sarasota-based construction company that has been in business since 1972. Its three new hires will assist with the firm's construction of the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) School of Dental Medicine, a $52 million project that broke ground last month.

Zach Beller signs on with Willis A. Smith as a project engineer, relocating from Gainesville to join the team. Brad Ellender, an assistant project manager, and Tyler Kelley, assistant superintendent, were also added.

Willis A. Smith Construction generated $50.1 million in 2009 revenues. Its young work force was highlighted in the 2010 edition of the Business Review's 40 Under 40 special issue; of note, 40% of Willis A. Smith's employees, including 14 project managers, are younger than 40 years old.