Tampa Bay construction manager overcomes political turmoil, language barriers

Maria Escalona was working on the type of project that can only happen in Miami when she got the call that brought her to Tampa.

The now 35-year-old project manager for JE Dunn Construction was one of the leaders on the build out of a high-end independent living facility with bars, beauty salons, game rooms and party rooms. A memory care center was attached. This was a place aimed at Miami’s wealthy, artistic class and had been the kind of project that had helped Escalona prove herself. “It was like a party house, but with a lot of luxury in it,” she says.