“The Groundbreaker Awards honor the incredible individuals and teams who are transforming the way we build, and the communities in which we live”,” said Tooey Courtemanche, President, Founder, and CEO of Procore. “These awards put a spotlight on construction leaders who are challenging the status quo, and elevating the construction industry. Congratulations to all the winners for their unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership.”
The competition was very close this year, with Procore selecting 21 companies, projects, and individuals as finalists. Head of Procore’s Construction Education Program, Kassy Slaughter, presented the seven awards to the winners:
Groundbreak of the Year: Cornelius Griggs, President & CEO of GMA Construction Group
President and CEO of GMA Construction Group Cornelius Griggs is a leader in construction who has successfully blended business success with social impact. He founded GMA to transform communities, focusing on affordable housing, education, and healthcare. GMA employs 60 full-time staff, with 65% being minorities and 30% women. Under Griggs’ leadership, GMA has grown from $1 million in revenue in 2015 to $400 million in backlog for 2025. His vision is transforming the industry, showing that meaningful community impact and business success can go hand-in-hand.
Excellence in Safety & Health: Ryan Companies
At Ryan Companies, both physical and mental safety is a top priority. For over three years, they’ve maintained zero lost time due to injuries across 12 million+ hours worked. By joining the White House Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose, Ryan is distributing naloxone at over 100 sites nationwide. They also foster a strong safety culture through regular training and partnerships with subcontractors who share their commitment to safety. This unwavering dedication to safety underscores Ryan’s commitment to protecting their people and setting a higher standard for the industry.
Excellence in Community: Prince George’s County Public Schools, Gilbane Building Company
The Gilbane Building Company has positively impacted the community through innovative project delivery and corporate initiatives. The Prince George’s County Public Schools Blueprint Project brought six new schools to Maryland, serving 8,000 students and awarding 33% of contractors to minority-owned businesses. The project’s innovative delivery approach cut delivery time in half, reduced costs, and ensured long-term maintenance. Gilbane has set a new benchmark for school construction by prioritizing economic inclusion and partnering with diverse businesses.
Excellence in Innovation: Skanska
Skanska’s commitment to “Innovation with Impact” ensures the technologies they adopt address real-world challenges and add measurable value for project teams, customers, and communities. Skanska has enhanced project outcomes with cutting-edge technology, using solutions such as drones, AI, AR/VR, and production tracking dashboards. Their approach is driven by internal collaboration and partnerships with industry leaders, including Procore, cmBuilder, Nextera Robotics, DroneDeploy, and Resolve. Skanska's focus on productivity, safety, and sustainability is shaping the future of construction.
Excellence In Culture & Workforce Development:McCarthy Holdings, Inc.
McCarthy Holdings, Inc., is the oldest privately held national construction company in the U.S. With 160 years of experience, McCarthy is committed to delivering exceptional results and fostering positive experiences for all. As a founding member of Time for Change, the company partners with colleges and organizations to bring women, minorities, and veterans into the workforce. With over 8,000 employees and extensive training programs, McCarthy also engages with K-12 and college students to promote construction careers.
Excellence in Sustainability: Multiplex Construction
Multiplex Construction Canada is committed to sustainability, with goals of achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its supply chain by 2050 and eliminating on-site and office emissions by 2030. As the first Canadian construction company with a Science-Based Target and the first global contractor to sign the World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Commitment, Multiplex follows a Decarbonization Roadmap that includes alternative fuels, embodied carbon assessments, and low-carbon solutions. Through these initiatives, Multiplex fosters industry-wide collaboration to drive emissions reduction across the construction process.
Excellence in Project Delivery - People’s Choice Award: UAB Altec Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building byComfort Systems USA Mid SouthM.J. HarrisUniversity of Alabama Birmingham
Voted by our live Groundbreak audience, the project team consisting of Comfort Systems USA Mid South, M.J. Harris, and the University of Alabama Birmingham was named the winners of the inaugural “Excellence in Project Delivery- People’s Choice Award”.. Comfort Systems USA Mid South performed all HVAC and plumbing for the UAB Altec Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building – a 175,000 sq ft. facility designed to accelerate advancements in precision medicine, informatics, and data sciences. This included the installation of over 154,000 lbs. of ductwork, over 4,100 linear feet of carbon steel pipe, and over 25,000 linear feet of copper piping. The new building will increase UAB’s research capacity by 16% and help scientists generate $100 million in additional grants.
To learn more about the 2024 Groundbreaker Awards finalists and winners, please click .
