Delmarva Veteran Builders Welcomes New Office Manager, Heather Welch to the Team

Heather Welch

SALISBURY, Md. – July , 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced the addition of Heather Welch to the DVB team. 

“Heather comes to us directly from Gillis Gilkerson with over 20 years of office management experience,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “We know she is up to the challenge of keeping us organized, efficient and forward thinking. We look forward to working with Heather as her expertise and experience is valuable to our team and our mission.” 

As the office manager, Heather will be responsible for managing all billing for DVB, preparing subcontracts, change orders and lien releases and maintaining vendor and subcontractor files. 

“I am honored to join the company in this newly created position and hope that I can contribute to DVB’s continued success in the future,” said Welch. 

Heather is a graduate from Snow Hill High School and attended Wor-Wic Community College. She has 21 years of office/customer service experience and close to two years of bookkeeping experience. Past employers include the City of Salisbury, Delmarva Dental Services and Western Branch Family Chiropractic Center. 

Heather, married to an Air Force Veteran, has two children and enjoys camping, boating and swimming with her family and two dogs.

Delmarva Veteran Builders Awarded Renovation of Cambridge Your Doc’s In

SALISBURY, Md. – June 8, 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced being awarded the renovation of Your Doc’s In, at 300 Sunburst Highway in Cambridge, Maryland. The project includes interior and exterior renovations of the entire building which covers approximately 3,200 square feet of medical office space. 

“We are excited to bring something new to a community that does not currently have a walk-in emergency clinic,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders, president. “Projects like this allow us to provide a comfortable, functional space for the professionals caring for patients within that community. We are confident that we can get the work done within the designated timeline.” 

Delmarva Veteran Builders Awarded Bethany Beach Pump House Project

SALISBURY, Md. – May 14, 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced being awarded Phase II of the Bethany Beach Pump House project at 434 Collins Avenue, Bethany Beach, Delaware. 

“We are excited to get started on the Bethany Beach pump house because it is DVB’s first municipal project, said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders, president. “The newest addition to the team, Lee Beauchamp, brings an extensive amount of experience to this type of project from the work he did in the public sector with water and waste water initiatives.” 

The scope of work includes the construction of a 700 square foot town water system pumping facility. The pole building will house two high service water pumps. As a resort town, Bethany Beach experiences a drastic flux in its population during the summer months. The demand for water increases with the growth in visitors and residents in the town. In order to maintain pressure in the system the town was required to keep its original one million gallon tank full at all times. With the addition of the new tank, the town will have more options to keep the necessary water pressure to meet the demands in the summer and winter months. 

“We added a second water tower to our system due to demand and water age and needed a pumping station to connect the two towers,” said Ron Foreman, Director of the Water Department for Bethany Beach, Delaware. “We hired Delmarva Veteran Builders to build the pump house so we could effectively control and maintain the appropriate pressure in the system.” 

The project is scheduled for a Memorial Day completion date. For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.

Delmarva Veteran Builders Hired to Retrofit and Renovate Atlantic General Pediatric Care

SALISBURY, Md. – April 22, 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced it has been hired to retrofit and renovate Atlantic General Pediatric Care on Gina Renee Plaza on Route 50 in Ocean City, Maryland. The 2,350 square foot project will be for the relocation of a local AGH pediatrician and allow for the addition of a new pediatrician under the AGH umbrella. 

“Delmarva Veteran Builders is thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Atlantic General again,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “We look forward to growing the relationship we have with Atlantic General and will continue to support them in meeting the healthcare needs of the community.” 

“Delmarva Veteran Builders is familiar with the building because of the renovation they did on the primary and specialty patient care center,” said Kim Justice, Vice President of Planning/Operations, Atlantic General Hospital. “Because of the time limitations and being that we were very satisfied with the original job, we awarded this project to Chris and his team.” 

For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.

Delmarva Veteran Builders Starts Construction on Redevelopment of Eastern Shore Medical Center

SALISBURY, Md. – February 16, 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced it has been hired to redevelop and remodel 4,500 square feet of medical offices for Eastern Shore Medical Center on 915 Eastern Shore Drive in Salisbury, Maryland. 

“We were thrilled when the folks at Eastern Shore Medical Center reached out about a new expansion project,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “It is always gratifying to be able to help a local business grow and flourish here on the Shore.” 

The remodel will require crews to gut the building and construct a new exterior, install a new roof and interior fit out. The project is scheduled to take between 12-13 weeks with an opening date in May, 2015. 

“We have outgrown the space we are currently in,” said Gidget Carey, manager, Eastern Shore Medical Center. “Delmarva Veteran Builders did the work on our original building and we were very happy so we went back to Chris for this project. He gets the job done, is friendly and easy to work with.” 

Eastern Shore Medical Center is a group medical practice and has recently grown to six doctors. The new space will be three times the size of the original office space. 

For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.

Chris Eccleston of Delmarva Veteran Builders, recently testified in Annapolis on behalf of House Bill 243

February 14, 2015

Ms. Mary Beth Carozza

State Delegate, District 38C

Maryland House of Delegates

Re:  HB 243

Dear Ms. Carozza,

It is with great excitement I write a letter of support of your proposed legislation (HB 243) to increase procurement percentage goals of 0.5% to 5% for veteran owned businesses in the State of Maryland.  I believe this legislation will increase participation of existing veteran owned businesses already doing business with the State of Maryland, but also provide incentives for others to become entrepreneurs. In the case of veterans they have been labeled Vetreprenuers by the National Association of Veteran Owned Business Association, of which my company Delmarva Veteran Builders is a member.  This legislation will show that Maryland is taking national leadership on providing incentives and opportunities for our Veterans.

I am personally committed to increasing any and all opportunities for our veterans and have done so with the start of my business Delmarva Veteran Builders in 2013.  My company was started to bid on federal and State of Maryland construction projects that had small business goals or veteran owned business goals around Delmarva.  I have also taken another step forward by committing to provide veterans work opportunities through employment or subcontracting on my construction projects.  To date, four (4) of our five (5) team members are veterans and we have provided many subcontracts to veterans or other veteran owned businesses.  It is my opinion that we as a society have the duty to provide the American dream for our veterans and that is what drives me every single day.  They defended it and now they should earn and live it! 

To date, our company has landed several construction projects through the State of Maryland; however, most have been through the small business procurement program and not the veteran owned procurement goals.  I search on almost a daily basis for local and state municipal construction projects in the Delmarva area.  Since our start we have completed three (3) projects with Salisbury University and have an ongoing project with Maryland Department of General Services.  We also are waiting on another project to begin in the spring which is a new homeless shelter for Queen Anne’s County and Our Haven House ministries.  We are currently working for Gilbane as their general trade’s contractor for the new Salisbury University Academic Commons project.  As you can see, Delmarva Veteran Builders is a growing company started first-hand because of Maryland’s veteran owned business program.  Passing this legislation will increase job opportunities for our Maryland veterans and Delmarva Veteran Builders is your proof.  This will allow us to have more bidding opportunities, more construction projects, and provide more employment or subcontracting opportunities for our veterans.

Respectfully,

 Christopher Eccleston, President

Delmarva Veteran Builders

Delmarva Veteran Builders Completes CFS Office Renovation and Fit Out

SALISBURY, Md. – December 18, 2014 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced the completion of a renovation and tenant fit out for CFS Comprehensive Financial Solutions at 953 Mt. Hermon Road in Salisbury, Maryland. 

“We worked closely with CFS to deliver a finished product that would meet their operational needs,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “The space is clean, professional and provides functionality for the business.” 

“We hired Delmarva Veteran Builders for this project because
they came back with the most comprehensive proposal and we highly respect Chris for his reputation and certainly as a veteran,” said Mark Engberg, certified financial planner for CFS. “That was important to us.” 

Delmarva Veteran Builders demolished the existing 3,300 square foot space to make room for the tenant fit out. The project, completed in ten weeks, included interior renovations and new floor plan modifications. DVB gutted the building that was originally designed as a large space divided by multiple cubicles. The new layout, designed by Fisher Architecture, now includes office space, a conference room, lobby, and kitchen and cubicle space. 

“When we started the business 26 years ago we occupied 300 square feet of space and slowly grew to fill the entire building on Main Street,” said Bruce Robson, Co-Founder, CFS Comprehensive Financial Solutions. “When we realized there was no more room for us to grow into, we knew it was time to move. Delmarva Veteran Builders presented the best price, came highly recommended and met our timing demands without a problem.” 

“Our goal was to be in our new office comfortably before tax season,” said Mark Engberg, certified financial planner for CFS. “Chris delivered on his promise and got us in earlier than anticipated. If anything came up during the building process, Chris would always say,” I got it.” And he meant it.” 

For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.

Delmarva Veteran Builders Receives 2014 ABC Delaware Excellence in Construction Award

SALISBURY, Md. – November 25, 2014 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced it has received a 2104 ABC Delaware Excellence in Construction award for the restoration work the company completed on the Wicomico County States Attorney’s Office building located on Main Street in the heart of Historic Downtown Salisbury, Maryland. 

Delmarva Veteran Builders (DVB) joined the Devreco development team to perform preliminary construction budgeting and constructability reviews. Once selected by Wicomico County, Delmarva Veteran Builders started construction in May, 2013 with a planned completion date set for March, 2014. The project instantly ignited a pride in ownership as the entire construction team lives and works in downtown Salisbury. 

“It is very exciting to be honored with this award being such a young company,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “It is a testament to all tradesmen, 

subcontractors, designers, and owners on what teamwork and pride in one's work is all about. It takes many hands to renovate a building of that size and it shows the commitment and dedication of each member to deliver a quality construction project in our community. Congratulations to the project, design, and construction team for this award and on a job well done.” 

"This is a well-deserved award for a project that not only exemplified excellence in the construction methods and 

procedures, but also displayed how a community can come together in order to meet a goal and service a need,” said 

Joey Gilkerson, Principal Devreco, LLC. “The States Attorney's Office was in dire need to expand out of the courthouse in 

Salisbury. Thanks to Delmarva Veteran Builders, completing the project on time and on budget, we made this a reality." 

“Taking a 19th century building and installing 21st century amenities is no easy task,” said Brad Gillis, Principal Devreco, 

LLC. “However DVB completed this task on time and on budget. Our client, Wicomico County is pleased with the 

outcome and we have DVB to thank for implementing the vision.” 

The team spent months working with the States Attorney’s Office and Child Advocacy Center to develop construction documents based on the needs and wants of the organizations while maintaining the original construction estimate. 

Meetings with the future tenants to gather information on how the organizations operate on a daily basis were beneficial to the design and construction functionality of the building. This also gave the construction team a better understanding of the project and allowed them to work closely with subcontractors early in the building process which allowed DVB to deliver occupancy 90 days ahead of schedule in January, 2013. 

“This building helped improve the overall moral of the entire staff,” said Wicomico County States Attorney, Matt Maciarello. “We are within walking distance to our hospital, courthouses, health department, and social services, and all the other agencies we interact with on a daily basis this improves our overall functionality as an organization. With new access control systems we can now have more collaboration between local law enforcement agencies and our attorney's. Our new conference is large enough to provide training, all hands meetings and roundtable meetings with other departments.” 

“When treating children who are victims of trauma you can’t have a sterile atmosphere,” said Michelle Hughes, Executive Director, Life Crisis Center. “We were given the opportunity to give input on the space and share our needs. They listened and now we have a kid-friendly space that is calming for the children and their families. We now have space for all advocates to come together to help these kids tell their story. It is a dream come true." 

For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.

Delmarva Veteran Builders Hired to Build Atlantic General Health System Facility

SALISBURY, Md. – October 21, 2014 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced it has been hired to build a patient care facility for Atlantic General Health System on Gina Renee Plaza on Route 50 in Ocean City, Maryland. The 3,700 square foot project will be home to a primary and specialty patient care center. DVB will demolish the existing structure, build a new floor plan that will include a new HVAC system. 

Initial plans are for the Atlantic General Health System location include a family practice physician, a pediatrician, and an internal medicine physician as well as a nurse practitioner to provide same day appointments for AGH patients. In the near future, AGH will add a same day urgent care center, offering similar care as provided in the Atlantic ImmediCare Centers. 

Long term goals will be to expand and provide specialty care which could include, Gynecology, Neurology, Dermatology, Urology, etc. and potentially out-patient diagnostic services such an out-patient lab or imaging services in other areas of the building. 

“Delmarva Veteran Builders is excited to work with Atlantic General in providing a structure that will support healthcare services to a growing community,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “We take pride in working with partners on projects that ultimately help people in the local community. I learned that this is one of the fastest growing communities with limited access to Primary Care services. We are happy to help in any way we can. As Kevin Costner’s character said in Field of Dreams - If you build it, they will come.” 

For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.