NEWS
Chris Eccleston of Delmarva Veteran Builders Named Entrepreneur of the Year
Chris Eccleston has been named Palmer Gillis Entrepreneur of the Year by Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE).
SALISBURY, Md. – November 6, 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced president Chris Eccleston has been named Palmer Gillis Entrepreneur of the Year by Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE). Chris received the $2,000 cash award at MCE’s Awards Banquet on Thursday, November 5th at Salisbury University.
“It is a humbling experience to be recognized by your peers and other business pioneers in the community,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “I accepted this honor on behalf of the entire DVB team because I truly believe that the growth and success of our business is due to the quality workforce that I have the privilege to pull from - our United States Armed Forces Veterans.”
The runners up included Lisa M. Brooks, Pharmacist and owner of Clayton’s Pharmacy in Cambridge and Walter Moore, president and CEO of APPI Energy in Salisbury. All three top finalists were selected by a panel of judges made up of local business and civic leaders. Fourteen other entrepreneurs were nominated.
Three years ago Chris Eccleston launched Delmarva Veteran Builders with a mission to develop a company with a veteran workforce. Being familiar with the level of training and work ethic veterans’ experience, it was his goal to provide them with a career in construction once they return from their service to the country. Delmarva Veteran Builders has maintained a 65% veteran workforce throughout its growth.
Eccleston also gives back to his community by serving on multiple Boards including the Chamber of Commerce, the Board of License Commissioners, the Workforce Investment Board, and Lower Shore Enterprises. He serves in the
Sunrise Rotary Club, on the Winter Wonderland of Lights Committee, and formerly served on the Board of Habitat for Humanity and the Lions Club.
For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.
Delmarva Veteran Builders Welcomes New Assistant Project Manager, Daniel Mills to the Team
Delmarva Veteran Builders announced the addition of Daniel Mills to the DVB team.
Daniel Mills
SALISBURY, Md. – October 26, 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 Daniel Mills to the DVB team.
“Daniel is a driven, hardworking addition to the DVB staff,” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders. “He brings with him a background in construction management, a degree in security management and ten years of service in the United States Airforce. His skills and talents are an asset to the company and our mission.”
Daniel served nine (of ten) years active duty in the United States Air Force as an In-Flight Refueler. He deployed to Qatar in March, 2015 for four months. Prior to joining the Air Force, Daniel worked in the construction business in his home state of Mississippi. He is a graduate of Southwestern College and is currently pursuing a Masters in construction management.
“I was excited to learn about DVB when we moved to the area from Kansas,” said Daniel
Mills. “My wife is from the area and we wanted to be near family. When I heard about the opportunity Chris had available it was a great fit especially with my background in construction. I haven’t been here long but I already enjoy the comradery between the entire team.”
Daniel received the honor of Senior Airman Below the Zone after 18 months of service, a title usually given only after three years of service. After this (ahead of schedule) promotion, Daniel was awarded Airman of the Year
in 2009. He also became NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) of the Year, awarded in 2014.
Daniel and his wife Kyle live in Salisbury with their two children, Sydney, 6 and Harper 3.
Delmarva Veteran Builders Receives Seven Seals Award From ESGR
DVB announced being the recipient of the Seven Seals Award from ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve).
SALISBURY, Md. – October 14, 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced being the recipient of the Seven Seals Award from ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve).
The Seven Seals Award is the broadest and most inclusive award given by ESGR and is presented at the discretion of the State Chair or by ESGR senior leadership. The Seven Seals Award recognizes significant individuals or organizational achievement, initiative, or support that promotes and supports the ESGR mission, to include the efforts of the more than 4,700 volunteers who carry out ESGR’s mission across the Nation on a daily basis.
Veteran Daniel Mills nominated Delmarva Veteran Builders for the Seven Seals Award.
“I nominated Delmarva Veteran Builders (DVB) for the company’s commitment to hiring Veterans and willingness to be supportive of current Reserve component service members and employees.”
“Our mission from day one was to provide local job opportunities to our Veterans; our mission will never be complete but it is clear that we are making an impact locally and people are starting to notice. This strengthens my belief that we have the most well trained workforce that knows how to serve and doesn’t know how to fail. ” said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders, president. “We are honored to be recognized on such an elite level and will continue to uphold our commitment to the well-being of our Veteran staff, Reserve employees, and business partners.”
Delmarva Veteran Builders will be presented the Seven Seals Award by during a ribbon cutting event on Thursday, October 22, 2015 at 4pm at DVB headquarters, 212 West Main Street, The Gallery Building, Suite #302, Salisbury, MD 21801.
More about ESGR
The ESGR (Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve), a Department of Defense office, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian
employers. The ESGR awards program is designed to highlight civilian employers who go above and beyond in support of their military and veteran employees.
The Nation has relied heavily on Guard and Reserve service members since entering continuous operations more than a decade ago. Employer support enhances retention rates in the Armed Forces and in the end, strengthens our national security. To recognize employers who support their Guard and Reserve employees, ESGR grants a series of Department of Defense (DoD) awards. Recognizing supportive employers is vital to ESGR’s mission. ESGR’s 54 State Committees actively promote awards as a key element in furthering employer support, while strengthening relationships between service members and employers. DoD awards honor the sacrifices made by so many employers year after year.
For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.
Delmarva Veteran Builders Awarded AGH Dermatology Tenant Fit Out
DVB announced being awarded a tenant fit out for Atlantic General Hospital Dermatology.
SALISBURY, Md. – October 5, 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced being awarded a tenant fit out for Atlantic General Hospital Dermatology. The 4,200 square foot project is located in Strawberry Square in Selbyville, Delaware. Delmarva Veteran Builders plans to complete the job in ten weeks by the beginning of December, 2015.
This project is DVB’s forth job for Atlantic General Hospital in the past 3 years. The demolition of the existing space has already begun and plan to start the construction of new the space in the next two weeks.
“It is clear that we have built more than just construction projects with Atlantic General Hospital, said Chris Eccleston, Delmarva Veteran Builders, president. “We deliver on our promise and we have a service company filled with service members. Plain and simple we serve our clients and repeat business speaks louder than words.”
For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.
Delmarva Veteran Builders Completes Retrofit and Renovation of Atlantic General Pediatric Care
DVB announced the completion of the retrofit and renovation of Atlantic General Pediatric Care on Gina Renee Plaza on Route 50 in Ocean City, Maryland.
SALISBURY, Md. – August 20, 2015 – Delmarva Veteran Builders, the region’s only commercial construction firm dedicated to bringing employment to U.S. Armed Forces Veterans, announced the completion of the retrofit and renovation of Atlantic General Pediatric Care on Gina Renee Plaza on Route 50 in Ocean City, Maryland. The 2,350 square foot project was completed for the relocation of a local AGH pediatrician and allows 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.”
For more information, visit www.delmarvaveteranbuilders.com.
Delmarva Veteran Builders Welcomes New Office Manager, Heather Welch to the Team
DVB announced the addition of 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
DVB announced being awarded the renovation of Your Doc’s In, at 300 Sunburst Highway in Cambridge, Maryland.
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
DVB announced being awarded Phase II of the Bethany Beach Pump House project at 434 Collins Avenue, Bethany Beach, Delaware.
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
DVB announced it has been hired to retrofit and renovate Atlantic General Pediatric Care on Gina Renee Plaza on Route 50 in Ocean City, Maryland.
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.