A testament to transferring: Derrick Semilia credits rise to vice presidency at leading construction management firm with transfer to UA

TRANSFERRING AND CARVING OUT A NEW PATH IN CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING

Upon graduating from high school, Derrick Semilia had a dream of playing professional football and wanted to compete collegiately to see where it could lead. His passion for the game led him to a small Division III liberal arts university where, after three semesters and two seasons, he came to the realization that making it to the NFL wasn’t a feasible goal — a realization that fueled his determination to carve out a new path for the future. Thus, in the winter semester of 2007, he boldly decided to transfer to The University of Akron (UA) and pursue a program that promised a career liberated from desk confinement and an opportunity to focus on diverse construction disciplines.

“I was blessed to find the construction engineering program when I did,” explained Semilia. “Upon completing my first year, I pursued a co-op for practical experience and had the great privilege of joining Hammond Construction. My time there allowed me to make significant contributions to one of their K-12 school construction projects. Reflecting on it now, this pivotal experience jump-started my career.”

CO-OP EXPERIENCE JUMP-STARTS CAREER

A premier Midwest construction management company, Hammond Construction is renowned for its unwavering commitment to prioritizing client needs. With over 50 years of industry expertise and a successful track record of delivering $3 billion in educational, health care, and commercial construction projects, the firm has perfected its services and processes to ensure a positive construction experience — an experience Semilia is proud to be a part of.

“By the end of my co-op, Hammond’s vice president recognized my potential and offered me a part-time position that could fit around my class schedule,” shared Semilia. “The industry exposure I gained while studying made my classes more engaging and relevant, integrating with the career I was pursuing. I strongly urge students to seek co-op opportunities early on because it’ll help them make informed decisions about their career paths. They might discover a better fitting major or, like me, start building valuable experience for the future.”

CONTACTS AND RESOURCES BUILD A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS

The two years of balancing academics and part-time work at Hammond laid a strong foundation for Semilia’s seamless transition into a full-time project engineer position. He emphasized that without his initial co-op opportunity through UA, his career would not have reached its current level, and he highlighted the valuable contacts and resources provided by the University post-graduation. He frequently reconnects with former classmates in the industry, which Hammond Construction often looks to for emerging talent as the company expands.

“Today marks almost 16 years since I began my journey at Hammond Construction, and I’m proud to have reached the position of Vice President of Project Management,” said Semilia. “In this capacity, I’ve led the development of our company’s procedure manual for the Construction Management Division to strengthen our processes and maintain our leading position in the industry. Additionally, I’ve taken on the role of project executive for major construction projects, guaranteeing client satisfaction from pre- to post-construction.”

AN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION LEADS TO FULFILLING CAREER

As vice president, Semilia guides Hammond’s project teams — comprising project engineers, project managers, senior managers and superintendents — to consistently deliver excellent client service. Moreover, he is dedicated to nurturing the professional growth of Hammond’s project staff through ongoing training and development initiatives. But despite the professional success he’s achieved for himself and others, Semilia’s greatest source of pride stems from the rewarding life his career has provided for his family.

“I’m immensely proud of graduating magna cum laude from The University of Akron in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technology,” Semilia expressed. “Through my 12 years of marriage, I’ve had the privilege of nurturing and raising two wonderful children — a 12-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter. The exceptional education I received from UA has empowered me to pursue a fulfilling career, allowing me to provide a secure and prosperous life for my family.”