Florida Construction News staff writer
ORLANDO – The Central Florida chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recognized the region’s top commercial construction projects and industry leaders Saturday (Oct. 17) at its annual Excellence in Construction Awards.
The masquerade-themed gala celebrated achievements across 210 project entries, ultimately distributing 126 Eagle Awards to general and specialty contractors.
The awards honor builders for their safety, quality, and craftsmanship across the merit shop construction industry.
Hensel Phelps took home the night’s top honor as General Contractor Project of the Year. KHS&S Contractors was named Subcontractor Project of the Year for its specialized work on Universal’s Dark Universe project.
The chapter’s Free Enterprise awards, which recognize projects built using free enterprise principles, were awarded to Balfour Beatty for its work on Universal’s Super Nintendo World and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk projects, as well as Gaylor Electric, Inc. for its work on Project Tarpon.
The organization also highlighted community and workforce leadership. Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. was named the ABC Workforce Champion of the Year. Individual honors included Juan Garcia of PCL Construction Services, Inc., who was named Beamer of the Year, and Carson Kahle of Hubble Contractors, LLC, who earned the ABC Young Professional of the Year award.
Beyond the top chapter honors, dozens of merit and trade-specific awards were distributed to regional contractors.
Among the EIC Merit Award recipients was the $18 million Comfort Inn & Suites Sanford Airport, a 111-room hotel project managed by Orlando-based general contractor Lamm & Company Partners. Orlando-based specialty contractor Drywall Elements earned recognition for its scope of work on the four-story facility, which included interior metal stud framing, insulation, drywall installation, and final finishes.
Everaldo Dos Reis, vice-president of construction for Drywall Elements, praised the workforce behind the Sanford development in a company press release, stating he could not be prouder of his team’s craftsmanship in bringing the project to reality.
2026 ABC Central Florida top award winners
- General Contractor Project of the Year: Hensel Phelps
- Subcontractor Project of the Year: KHS&S Contractors (Universal P902 – Dark Universe)
- Free Enterprise Award: Balfour Beatty (Universal P904 – Super Nintendo World; Universal P903 – How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk)
- Free Enterprise Award: Gaylor Electric, Inc. (Project Tarpon)
- Workforce Champion of the Year: Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc.
- Beamer of the Year: Juan Garcia, PCL Construction Services, Inc.
- Young Professional of the Year: Carson Kahle, Hubble Contractors, LLC
Notable trade category winners
- Interior Finishes (Residential/Multifamily, 5M) Eagle Award: Percopo Coatings Company (1991 Main Street, Sarasota)
- Plumbing (Health Care, Under $500,000) Award of Merit:W. Gay Mechanical Contractor, Inc. (Advent Health – Kissimmee Medical Office Building LINAC Changeout)
- Roofing (Residential/Multifamily, 5M) Honorable Mention: P&A Roofing & Sheet Metal, Inc. (29 N Wynwood Plaza, Miami)
