Suffolk, one of the most innovative and successful builders in the country, has strengthened its Gulf Coast leadership team with the promotions of Robert “Trey” Black to Executive Vice President of Gulf Coast Operations and Matt Smith to Chief Operating Officer, Central Florida, along with additional promotions within its Tampa and Sarasota operations. The appointments strengthen Suffolk’s leadership at a pivotal time for the region, as sustained population growth and investment drive demand for new healthcare, education, transportation and commercial development.
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Suffolk has strengthened its Gulf Coast leadership team with the promotions of Robert “Trey” Black to Executive Vice President of Gulf Coast Operations and Matt Smith to Chief Operating Officer, Central Florida.
As Suffolk prepares to support this next phase of growth, Mr. Black and Mr. Smith bring complementary strengths to their new roles. Mr. Black’s experience leading complex projects and teams across diverse markets, paired with Mr. Smith’s deep understanding of Suffolk’s operations, people and culture, will position them to strengthen execution, deepen client and trade partner relationships, and help guide the company’s continued growth. Both will report to Pete Tuffo, President of Gulf Coast and National Gaming at Suffolk.
“Building strong teams and developing people is central to how we lead at Suffolk,” said Mr. Tuffo. “Trey and Matt exemplify that approach. They understand that strong results come from investing in people, building trust with clients and partners, and creating a culture of accountability and collaboration. Their leadership will help our teams perform at their best and deliver work that reflects Suffolk’s standards.”
Mr. Black will lead Suffolk’s overall business across the market, overseeing its portfolio, client relationships and project teams in the Tampa and Estero offices. He will help set the region’s strategic direction, align resources and capabilities, and ensure consistent performance across projects.
Mr. Black joined Suffolk in 2025 as Chief Operating Officer, Central Florida. He previously held leadership roles with leading national and global builders, overseeing large-scale projects across multiple markets and delivery models. An Army veteran and former Staff Sergeant, Mr. Black served five years on active duty, including three combat deployments, experiences that shaped his disciplined, team-oriented leadership style. His experience leading complex projects across markets has reinforced the importance of pairing strong teams with the right technology and data to improve decision-making and project delivery.
“Suffolk’s commitment to using technology, data and innovation to improve how projects are planned and delivered is a meaningful differentiator in our industry,” said Mr. Black. “I look forward to building on that foundation as we expand into new sectors, strengthen client relationships and raise the standard for construction excellence across Central Florida and the Gulf Coast.”
Mr. Smith will lead day-to-day execution across Suffolk’s Central Florida business, with responsibility for project delivery, team development, resource planning and operational performance.
Mr. Smith joined Suffolk through the company’s Career Start program after graduating from the University of Florida in 2013. Over more than a decade, he has advanced through the organization while working on projects in Florida and California. In his new role, Mr. Smith will continue advancing Suffolk’s technology-driven approach, combining exceptional people with data, AI and innovation to deliver smarter, more efficient outcomes.
The company has also recognized the contributions of two longtime Suffolk leaders with additional promotions supporting its Tampa and Sarasota operations.
As Vice President of Preconstruction, Corey Smith, a 13-year Suffolk veteran, helps clients and project teams make better-informed decisions earlier by aligning scope, budget, schedule, procurement and constructability before construction begins. Suffolk’s preconstruction approach is a key differentiator, combining deep project expertise with technology, data and AI to identify risk, evaluate options and improve decision-making. As a leader in applying these tools to construction, Suffolk is helping create more predictable outcomes and giving clients greater certainty from the earliest stages of a project.
Brian Stathers, a five-year Suffolk veteran, has been promoted to Vice President of Operations. Mr. Stathers has played a key leadership role for the general contractor in its expansion to Sarasota, where Suffolk is currently managing the development of the historic Mira Mar property.
These leadership advancements within the organization reflect Suffolk’s ability to attract experienced industry leaders, develop talent from within and create long-term career opportunities for the exceptional people who drive the company’s success.
Suffolk has managed some of the most notable projects in the region, including the EDITION and Asher Residences in Tampa; The Residences at 400 Central in St. Petersburg; Great Wolf Lodge and the hotel at Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, in Naples; Tampa General Hospital Urgent Care in Babcock Ranch; Aster & Links in Sarasota; Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers; and the guitar-shaped Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, among others.
About Suffolk
Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. Suffolk is an end-to-end business that provides value throughout the entire project lifecycle by leveraging its core construction management services with vertical service lines that include real estate capital investment, design, self-perform construction services, technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies), and innovation research and development.
Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $10 billion in annual revenue, 3,500 employees, and offices in Boston (headquarters); New York City and Westchester County, New York; Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, and Estero in Florida; Dallas; Los Angeles, Milpitas, San Francisco and San Diego; Las Vegas; Portland, Maine; New Haven, Connecticut; Herndon, Virginia; and Salt Lake City.
Suffolk manages some of the most complex, sophisticated projects in the country, serving clients in every major industry sector, including healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, transportation/aviation, federal government and public work, mission critical, advanced technology, and commercial. Suffolk is privately held and led by Founder, Chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #7 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
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