Location
Florida
Fort Myers, FL
Naples, FL
Thomas Marine Construction
Building in Florida since 1982
Florida Leadership Team
Jim
Hopper
President of O-A-K Florida
As President of the Florida Division, Jim brings more than 30 years of construction experience spanning Colorado, Florida, and Wyoming, including 21 years with two leading general contractors before founding and managing his own firm. He has delivered more than $300 million in projects, ranging from high-rise office buildings and K-12 schools to cultural centers and healthcare facilities.
With expertise in preconstruction, budgeting, and project execution, Hopper ensures seamless transitions from concept to completion. His leadership will focus on operational excellence, client service, efficiency, and developing future leaders. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science & Management from Kansas State University. Outside of work, he enjoys the Florida lifestyle, spending time with his family boating, fishing, and biking.
Kevin
Shimp
President of Thomas Marine Construction
Kevin joined O‑A‑K in 2007, becoming a division President after facilitating the agreement for Thomas Marine Construction’s sale to Owen‑Ames‑Kimball Company. He is responsible for daily business operations as well as field construction on all projects. Being a hands-on leader, it is not unusual to see Kevin out on the project sites operating equipment and supporting his teams in any way.
Matthew
Zwack
Sr. Director of Client Relations
Matthew, a LEED Accredited Professional, became involved in the construction industry in 1996, working his way to Foreman for Mills Construction Company in South Dakota, where he built commercial buildings from the ground up. After moving to Southwest Florida and becoming a Lead Finish Carpenter, he joined Owen‑Ames‑Kimball in 2005 as an assistant superintendent. His experience with public, private, civil, and architectural projects allows Matt to lead with confidence.
Abel
Natali
Sr. Director of Preconstruction
Abel Natali is a dedicated leader not only in his role as Sr. Director of Preconstruction - Florida at Owen-Ames-Kimball, but also in his commitment to his community. At O-A-K, he leads a team of estimators that complete successful projects from beginning to end. He also serves as a crucial member of other teams, such as the United Way Allocations Committee, FGCU Construction Advisory Board, Bishop Verot High School Facilities Committee, and the IMAG Board.
A proud Gator, Abel earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and business administration from the University of Florida, where he graduated cum laude. Throughout his career in construction management, he has also obtained a LEED AP credential and CCM and CSI accreditations, as well as a Florida General Contractor license. Additionally, he is O-A-K’s Project Executive for the Lee County Port Authority, where he oversees key initiatives and infrastructure projects.
In his free time, Abel enjoys spending time with his wife, Jackie, and their three energetic boys, coaching Little League and volunteering with youth sports programs
Ellen
Bisogno
Director of Collier County Operations
Ellen has an extensive background in the construction industry, which spans over four decades. Her journey began as an owner’s representative for a significant project comprising the construction of a 350-room hotel and a 70-unit condominium complex. Additionally, she managed the completion of three five-story office buildings
Following that, she had the opportunity to work with various firms in New York City, where she honed her skills as an owner’s representative for both new constructions and renovations. This experience allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in managing large-scale projects.
Over the years, she has held several key positions, including regional operations and facilities manager, director of operations, and owner/president. These roles have equipped her with a comprehensive skill set that enables her to oversee multiple large-scale projects and ensure their successful completion on time and within budget.
Rob
Rotchadl
Sr. Director of Strategy and Finance
As Senior Director of Strategy and Finance for O-A-K, Rob Rotchadl brings nearly 20 years of experience helping organizations connect financial strategy with business goals. He has spent his career partnering with leadership teams to turn big-picture ideas into practical plans that drive performance, support growth, and create long-term value. His background includes financial planning and analysis, forecasting, performance management, and strategic decision-making.
Before joining O-A-K, Rob served as Vice President of Finance for a multi-entity commercial real estate services platform, where he led long-range planning, forecasting, and business performance efforts. At O-A-K, Rob works closely with company leaders to improve planning processes, provide greater financial insight, and help teams make informed decisions that support the company’s continued success. He earned his MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Ryan
Propp
Director of Field Operations
Ryan leads the team as Director of Field Operations for O-A-K, beginning with the company in 2005 as a superintendent. With a strong trades background, particularly in carpentry and finish trades supervision, Ryan excels in managing challenging projects. As Chief Safety Officer for the Florida Division, he ensures the highest safety standards are maintained on all job sites. Ryan’s expertise in fostering relationships between owners, subcontractors, and field personnel ensures smooth operations. His lead-by-example approach and longtime field expertise make him highly regarded by clients.
Taylor
Sawatzky
Sr. Director of Business Development and Marketing
Taylor Sawatzky is a dynamic business development leader known for building strong relationships and driving growth across the construction industry. With a proven history of creating strategic partnerships and delivering effective development initiatives, he has established himself as a trusted connector and problem solver within Southwest Florida.
Raised in LaBelle, Taylor began his professional journey in public service, gaining valuable experience in community engagement, project management, and government operations. He later transitioned into the building industry, where he combined his passion for innovation with his commitment to serving the local community.
Taylor is a certified Project Management Professional and Certified Public Manager, a veteran of the United States Armed Forces, and a graduate of Leadership Collier. Today, he continues to apply his unique blend of leadership, integrity, and strategic insight to support O-A-K’s mission and long-standing reputation as a community centered construction leader.
Celebrating our Intern Class of 2026
This summer, 28 interns joined O-A-K across our Michigan and Florida offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Traverse City, Naples, and Fort Myers. Each intern was was assigned to active projects and put to work.
The pathway is real
Over the past decade, at least 14 former interns have moved into full-time roles with O-A-K.
Brian Filipek interned in 2015 and is now a Project Manager. "The company's reputation initially attracted me to the internship, but it was the people and culture that convinced me to stay," Filipek said. Marco Garcia interned in 2020 and returned in 2024 as a Project Superintendent. Carlos Rapalo interned in 2024 and became an Assistant Project Manager in 2025. Sammuel Presmy worked the Cape Coral Technical College expansion as an intern and joined full-time in May 2026 as an Assistant Project Manager.
Employee-owned since 1891, O-A-K gives interns room to grow and people willing to invest in that growth. Many stay on part-time while finishing their degrees, then join full-time after graduation.
Fridays Together: Learning Every Department
Every Friday, interns from all offices came together in-person and virtually to learn the functions that run O-A-K: Preconstruction, Marketing, Safety, Project Management, Accounting, and Superintendent work. Construction does not happen only in the field. These sessions showed our interns the full machine behind a project: Preconstruction planning the work, project managers driving it forward, superintendents leading the field, safety protecting everyone on the jobsite, accounting keeping it honest, and marketing telling the story.
Ian Miller, a Florida Gulf Coast University student, is proof our interns value their time at O-A-K. Ian first interned with us in 2025 on the FGCU Cohen Student Union renovation, following the project from active construction through closeout. He returned this summer for a new project and a wider view of the business.
"O-A-K's internship program is designed to give students meaningful, real-world experience that simply can't be replicated in a classroom," said Jim Hopper, Florida Division President. "Our interns become valuable members of project teams, participate in problem-solving, interact with clients and trade partners, and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to successfully deliver complex construction projects."
Meet Kejsi from O-A-K Florida
What comes next
To the 2026 intern class: thank you for your hard work. You strengthened our teams this summer, and we can't wait to build with you again. Interested in an O-A-K internship? Send a message with your resume to camilag@oakmi.com, or learn more on our Careers Page.
Open Positions
Want to join a people-first company that values employee growth, teamwork, safety, and strong project leadership? View our open positions below and apply today!
Senior Estimator
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