After almost a 50 year career, our amazing friend and professional, Mark Range, has retired. His leadership left a lasting impact on us all, inspiring qualities we aim to embody. Check out the summary of Mark’s career below, and a quick interview with Mark and our VINCI Construction USA Digital Communications Coordinator, Savannah Cahill.

Mark’s journey in the construction business is a testament to his dedication and adaptability. Growing up on the move, accompanying his father, who worked with Lane Construction in the dynamic field of construction, Mark experienced a childhood marked by changing landscapes and diverse projects. Beginning his career in July 1976 in Elkview, West Virginia, on Project I-79, Mark served under his father, Richard “Red” Range, as a Project Manager.

Over the span of 47 years, Mark’s career took him to various corners of the United States. His time in West Virginia extended over five years across three distinct projects. Subsequently, he transferred to Texas, contributing six years to projects in San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Dallas. Another relocation took him to Pennsylvania and Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where he worked under Darryl Emig, a connection that later revealed a small-world coincidence with Nick Vendetti in Hampton Roads.

Mark’s diverse roles, including utility worker, surveyor, grade operator, supervisor, and more, prepared him for a pivotal role when he was asked to provide technical advice on automation equipment for Virginia Paving in Loudon, Northern Virginia. It was there that Mark decided to make Loudon his home, becoming the Operations Manager and later taking on roles as Project Manager and Plant/Area Manager over the course of 29 years in the asphalt end of construction.

In 2009, Mark was called to relocate to Hampton Roads to assist with the operations of a newly acquired facility. His contributions and leadership have been invaluable, participating in significant projects involving Interstates, Airports, Ports, Naval facilities, Tunnels, and more. Mark’s commitment to safety and his selfless approach, always putting others first, earned him the respect and admiration of his teams. As he retires, Mark leaves behind a legacy of success and mentorship, having set up his team in Hampton Roads for a prosperous future. Despite the mixed emotions of his departure, Mark is undoubtedly loved and will be greatly missed by those who had the privilege of working alongside him.

INTERVIEW WITH MARK RANGE

S. Cahill: How did you get started at VPC?

M. Range: My Father worked for Lane for 42 years, so after high school I decided I wanted to be like him so I started building road Projects with The Lane Construction Corporation in 1976 right out of high school. Went from job to job for 18 years in several different states. After 18 years I jumped into our asphalt division in Northern Virginia for 16 years then we acquired a plant in Norfolk Virginia so I was assigned down to this new plant in Norfolk and have been at that location for 13 ½ years.

S. Cahill: Reflecting over your time with VPC, what’s it been like?

M. Range: When i look back now it seem to have gone by fast, but 47 ½ years have gone by and I have spent most of my life in this business. I have had the pleasure of meeting many great people that I have worked with, learned from and some have become lifelong friends. I have worked on a lot of different projects in a number of different states and with these great people we shared many successes. I always got a sense of pride looking back at a finished project knowing I was part of the team that built it. I will miss that part along with seeing the people that I have spent a life time working with.

S. Cahill: What are you looking forward to most in retirement?

M. Range: Moving to Florida and Looking forward to spending time with my family. I have been married to my Wife Madeline for 43 years and we have two daughters Kelly and Alyssa. Kelly has our two Grand kids Luca and Riley. Also looking forward to doing some traveling and seeing my sisters and brother more often and some of my old friends at my own pace and time frame. I will have time to play a little more golf and some more camping. And lastly just not having to get up and go to work every day or night and weekends. Can’t wait.

S. Cahill: What’s some advice you’d like to leave for your team members?

M. Range: This type of work is challenging, hard, hot and crazy hours, but this is the business we have chosen to be in so you have to accept that part of it. After you get by that part of it the rest is all about Attitude. With a great attitude and the willingness to help each other out you build a stronger team to tackle each day, I have your back and you have mine mentality. Treat people with respect the way you would like to treated and this will serve you well I guarantee it. Appreciate your other team members when they help you while having your back and say thanks once in a while, do this and you will get the same in return. There are many people that are all around you that help you out every day and you don’t even realize who they are but I can tell you they’re not just the people on your crew. Appreciate the other departments in the company, because without all of us working together none of would have a job, so thank them for what they do. We are all paid to do a job, and like Mr. Cahill likes to say JUST DO YOUR JOB. Simple as that. Be thankful we work for the great company we have.