Kelvin Enfinger Jr., Vice President of Greenhut Construction and the 2025 Chair of ABC Florida, the state's largest commercial construction association, argues that the future of construction depends on leaders who understand the work from the ground up. His career path from tradesman to executive offers a model for tackling the industry's most pressing challenge: the skilled workforce shortage.
Enfinger's leadership philosophy is rooted in his early experience working in skilled trades. "Starting in the field as a tradesman gave me a unique opportunity to understand the aspects of what individuals do day in and day out," he explains. This hands-on foundation informs his approach to managing multi-million dollar projects across healthcare, aviation, education, industrial, and office sectors. When complications arise, such as underground contamination or logistical challenges, his team benefits from practical knowledge gained through direct experience.
As ABC Florida's chair, Enfinger addresses the critical issue of attracting young talent to skilled trades. He criticizes societal pressure that pushed a generation toward higher education when many might have thrived in trades. "We pushed a lot of kids into higher ed that probably didn't need to be pushed into higher ed," Enfinger notes. He emphasizes that skilled trades offer good jobs and family support without student debt, contrasting with fields like coding where AI is automating jobs. "What we won't see in my lifetime, probably in anyone's lifetime, is artificial intelligence being able to take the place of a plumber, electrician, or HVAC tech, carpenters, anybody that works with their hands," he states.
Greenhut's tagline, "Choose Local, Choose Greenhut," reflects a commitment to local expertise in Northwest Florida. Enfinger highlights the advantages of deep knowledge of local conditions, community partnerships, and economic circulation within the region. "When clients contract with us, they're contracting with a local general contractor who's using local subcontractors who have local employees," he explains. "We're circulating those tax dollars back in the community." This local insight has proven valuable on projects in the Pensacola market, where Greenhut navigates budget constraints and complex site conditions.
Enfinger takes pride in projects that leave a legacy, particularly healthcare and education facilities. "Any time that we complete a healthcare project, I see that as something that leaves a legacy that will continue to serve a community," he reflects. Recent completions include the Leonardo MRO hangar facility, Myrtle Grove Elementary School, and the American Magic Facility, all finished in 2025.
His advocacy extends to policy engagement through ABC's Capitol Days, where he discusses industry issues with Florida lawmakers. A primary concern is immigration reform, which he believes must be addressed at the federal level. ABC National focuses on merit-based visa programs for construction workers. "We have a lot of great men and women in this country that come here to work and provide a living, families that want to be a part of this great country," he says. "For the ones that are here that are not bad actors and don't have criminal records, I think we should be able to expedite their visas through a merit-based visa program." More information on ABC's initiatives can be found at https://www.abc.org.
For aspiring leaders, Enfinger advises continuous learning, finding strong mentors, and listening more than speaking. "I had some really great mentors in my career," he reflects. "I tried to immerse myself in learning anything I could that was beneficial to this industry." As Northwest Florida grows in aerospace, manufacturing, and distribution, he remains optimistic about construction's future, stressing the need for skilled trades education and workforce development. "Northwest Florida is not just our home; it is our legacy," he concludes.
