Construction firm hires 35-year industry veteran

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Willis Smith Construction has named Bruce Loeppke director of the health care division.

Loeppke, with more than 35 years of experience in health care design and construction, will be a key part of the firm's marketing and business development teams, a statement says. He has a background in architectural engineering and specializes in mechanical building systems, engineering and construction.

Loeppke's other credentials include being a registered professional engineer, LEED accredited, a member of the Florida Healthcare Engineering Associated and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering. He is also a part of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, the statement says.

Founded in 1972, Willis A. Smith Construction Inc. reported $74 million in revenues in 2015, a 2.5% increase over its $72.2 million in 2014 revenues. The company has 71 full-time employees.