Concrete Exposure Day

Leandro A. Goicoechea is the Director of Engineering and Construction for Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), where he holds executive authority over the airport’s facilities, infrastructure, and capital development programs. With more than 27 years of experience in the construction industry, Goicoechea specializes in planning and successfully delivering complex capital improvement projects. Having recently stepped into this senior leadership role, he understands firsthand the organizational, regulatory, and procurement challenges that come with managing large-scale airport modernizations. Goicoechea is a strong proponent of collaborative industry partnerships, leveraging the expertise of trusted vendors and business partners to navigate complex design, legal, and maintenance hurdles. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master's degree in Engineering Management from the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico.

Darin Brown is a Project Manager with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC, where he leads complex heavy civil and horizontal construction projects. With more than 33 years of experience across West Virginia and Southwest Florida, he specializes in roadway and bridge construction, airport development, water and wastewater treatment facilities, underground utilities, earthwork, and stormwater management. For the past 22 years, Brown has managed projects throughout Southwest Florida for public and private clients, including FDOT, Lee, Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Collier, and Palm Beach counties, and Babcock Ranch. He is known for strong stakeholder and owner relationships and for creative solutions that improve project performance and protect budgets. His current work includes the 5.5-mile SR 31 Widening Project from Babcock Ranch to SR 78 and the Airside Improvements for Terminal Expansion Phase 2 at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW). Guided by the principles of leading by example and treating failure as not an option, Brown is committed to building and improving Southwest Florida’s infrastructure for future generations. He studied Engineering Technology and Business Management at West Virginia State University.

Jim Curry is an Operations Manager and Project Executive with Baker Construction, Inc., where he oversees operations across Southwest and Southeast Florida. With nearly two decades of experience in construction, he began his career in specialized technical marine engineering and has since moved into leading regional commercial and civil operations. Earlier in his career, he focused on large, high-risk projects, handling pre-construction modeling, budgeting, and client relationships for major public and private developments. Since joining Baker in 2018, Curry has worked primarily out of the company’s South Florida region, where his authority has grown to cover both structural and civil concrete operations. He is responsible for logistics, resource scheduling, safety, and regional production goals, leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing labor allocation to keep large-scale projects on schedule. Baker’s Florida work includes ultra-high-rise residential developments with massive concrete mat foundations and large transit and civil projects. The company is also part of the Southwest Florida International Airport Concourse E and Terminal Expansion, where it is building the structural footers and foundations and pouring the main cast-in-place concrete elements for the new concourse.

I left out “athletics” from his specialties since it looked like an error in the original, and I wrote “nearly two decades” to settle the 17-versus-20-year inconsistency. If you know his exact number of years, or that athletics work is accurate, tell me and I’ll adjust. He’s also not listed with a degree, so his bio doesn’t have an education line like the others.

"Jamie" James M. Driggers, is an Interim District Secretary at the Florida Department of Transportation. With over 24 years of dedicated service at the Florida Department of Transportation, Mr. Driggers brings a wealth of experience and leadership to his role as Interim District Secretary for District One. A licensed professional engineer in the State of Florida, he holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and has built a career marked by technical excellence and strategic foresight.

Throughout his tenure, he has held key positions including District Two Planning and Environmental Management Engineer, District 2 Program Management Engineer, and Senior Design Project Engineer. These roles have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of transportation planning, community stewardship, program delivery, and design execution.

His expertise spans the complex intersections of state and local governance, financial oversight, and stakeholder engagement. Known for his collaborative approach and commitment to innovation, Mr. Driggers continues to champion infrastructure solutions that enhance mobility, safety, and community connectivity across Florida.

Jose Armenteros

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Camagüey and a Master of Science in Conservation and Restoration of Historical Buildings from the “José Antonio Echeverría” Higher Polytechnic Institute in Havana, Cuba. With over 40 years of experience in structural and concrete materials engineering, his professional background spans forensic research, structural materials evaluation, project administration, and statewide materials oversight. He currently serves as the District Structural Materials Engineer for Districts 1 and 7, where he provides technical leadership in structural materials performance, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.

Ryan Cartwright

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the University of South Florida. His professional experience includes more than ten years in one of Florida’s largest prestressed concrete production facilities, where he managed engineering, estimating, and quality control operations. He currently serves as the Precast/Prestress Manager for Districts 1 and 7, responsible for the oversight and evaluation of 19 precast concrete production facilities across both districts.

Alex Otero

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Central Florida and has experience in concrete materials testing, precast/prestress operations, and materials coordination within the Florida Department of Transportation. He currently serves as the District Concrete Production Manager for Districts 1 and 7, overseeing regional concrete operations with a focus on quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and production performance.

Bogdana Grosaru is General Manager at S&S Precast, LLC, also serving as an Engineer, Estimator, and Quality Control Manager with over 6 years in the prestressed and precast concrete industry. Dual Bachelor’s degrees in both Civil Engineering (2020 FGCU) and Mechanical Engineering (2001 Gh. Asachi Technical University, Iasi, Romania), as well as an Associate’s degree in Legal Studies (2013 FSW). Extensive credentials across the field, holding advanced certifications including PCI Levels I, II, and III, FDOT 346 Field Inspector, and FDOT 450 Prestress, alongside foundational ACI Concrete Field and Strength Testing and CTQP Lab and Field Technician qualifications.

Darrin Vogeli is the Florida Account Manager for Penetron International with nearly two decades of experience in the concrete, construction, and building materials industries. His background includes ready-mix concrete, construction, estimating, business development, technical sales, and account management.

At Penetron, Darrin works with engineers, contractors, concrete producers, municipalities, and owners throughout Florida on concrete waterproofing and durability applications, with a focus on water and wastewater infrastructure, below-grade structures, hydrostatic foundations, and coastal construction.

He holds a Concrete Sustainability Specialist certification and earned his bachelor’s degree in Management and Entrepreneurship from the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business.

BS in Construction Manager.  I have been in the construction industry for 45 years with 25 of those years within the ready-mix concrete industry and the last 20 years with Penetron USA.  I am currently the Director of Strategic Accounts for North America.

As the founder of Miniopolis LLC, Brian Sodre’s mission goes beyond building homes—it’s about building futures. Mr. Sodre is deeply passionate about creating safe, sustainable, affordable workforce housing solutions that empower families, uplift communities, and leave a legacy that lasts for generations. Through innovation like 3D concrete printing and other strong prefabricated materials, he strives to redefine how homes are built, making homeownership more accessible.

His work isn’t just about construction; it’s about creating opportunities and changing lives. Growing up with a single mother, Brian understands the challenges many families face, which is why he dedicates himself to projects like the “Mother’s Nest,” where Miniopolis is building homes for single mothers in need. This isn’t just a business—it’s a purpose.

Mr. Sodre believes in challenging the status quo, pushing boundaries, and working relentlessly for change that might not pay off today, but will ripple through generations. He’s driven by the belief that the impact of the work will outlast today, transforming the lives of others in ways far beyond what’s measurable.

Brian:  “If you share my passion for creating a better future through housing, innovation, and community impact, I’d love to connect.”