Landry/French Construction is planting roots in St. Petersburg as it expands beyond its Northeastern base and into the Southeast.
The full-service commercial construction firm announced the opening of a new office in St. Petersburg this week and the hiring of Scott Hutchison as Regional Executive Vice President for the Southeast. The move marks a strategic step for the company as it seeks to grow its footprint across Florida and the broader region.
Chairman and CEO Kevin French described the expansion as a natural progression for the firm, which has built a portfolio of complex projects across healthcare, education, commercial, aviation and industrial sectors.
“Expanding into the Southeast is a natural next step for our firm,” French said in a prepared statement. He credited Hutchison with bringing deep regional knowledge and a track record of building strong teams and client relationships.
The St. Petersburg office will serve as the hub for Landry/French’s Florida operations. Company leaders said it will support business development and project delivery throughout the state and into neighboring Southeastern markets.
Hutchison brings more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry. He began his career as a superintendent and advanced through roles including project manager, project executive, director of construction and vice president. His background spans regional operations, client development and oversight of large-scale commercial builds.
In his new role, Hutchison will oversee regional strategy, business development and operational performance while leading the firm’s Florida-based team.
Recent projects tied to Hutchison’s experience include ground-up cancer treatment facilities and medical office buildings across Florida. He has also worked on high-profile commercial developments, including a luxury retail flagship in Miami and a major event center in Tampa.
For Hutchison, the appointment carries personal significance. He was born and raised in St. Petersburg and said returning to help establish the firm’s presence in his hometown is especially meaningful.
“St. Petersburg is an exciting and meaningful location for Landry/French as we expand into the Southeast,” Hutchison said. “It’s especially rewarding to continue building in the community while establishing a strong local team and delivering the high-quality projects the firm is known for.”
Hutchison earned a degree in business management from Florida State University and holds a Florida general contractor’s license.
Landry/French has also added Daniel Iwano as project superintendent and Denise Young as client relations manager, to support project execution and client development efforts in Florida. The trio will form the foundation of the company’s Southeast leadership team as it competes for work in a region that continues to see steady growth in healthcare facilities, mixed-use developments and commercial construction.
The opening comes as St. Petersburg and the broader Tampa Bay region remain active construction markets, with ongoing investment in medical facilities, retail centers and large-scale civic and entertainment venues.