Brian Sudduth, President & CEO, Miller Construction Company

In an interview with Invest:, Brian Sudduth, president and CEO of Miller Construction Company, said that despite market uncertainty, Palm Beach remains a stronghold of opportunity for the firm. “That said, South Florida — and Palm Beach County in particular — remains an incredibly attractive place for investment. Last year was excellent for us, and we anticipate this year being even better,” Sudduth said.

What have been the most significant changes over the past year that have affected Miller Construction Company, and in what ways?
Palm Beach has been a booming county. We’ve seen substantial migration, business activity, and wealth moving into the area, and that momentum hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down. Even though we’re based in Fort Lauderdale, many of our employees live in Palm Beach County, raise their families there, and are deeply involved in the community. It’s a special market for us, and we’ve been fortunate to maintain consistent work in the area across several sectors, including industrial, marine, automotive, and office construction. These opportunities continue to grow, and we see a promising future ahead in the Palm Beach market.

What industries or types of services are driving growth, profitability, and demand for Miller Construction Company?
We’ve had great success with industrial projects, and we’re working on a major marine project on the north side of the county. We’ve also been involved in office renovations and repositioning of existing properties. More recently, multifamily housing has become a growing focus. It’s always been present, but it’s now more on our radar, particularly because of its continued strength from Boca Raton to Jupiter and across the county.

What is your outlook on commercial construction and real estate development in Palm Beach County and the surrounding area?
That’s a tough question to answer at the moment because there’s quite a bit of uncertainty in the market. That said, South Florida — and Palm Beach County in particular — remains an incredibly attractive place for investment. Last year was excellent for us, and we anticipate this year being even better. However, we’re navigating challenges like high interest rates, rising land and construction costs, and the impact of tariffs. These factors tighten deal margins, and even slight fluctuations can affect the viability of projects. While some investors have stepped back, others are moving forward. So, while we see caution in the market, deals are still happening. It’s a different environment than the post-COVID boom when nearly every project moved forward, but a more cautious approach isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

What are the main opportunities for growth or untapped potential for a company like Miller Construction?
Success in this environment depends on building true partnerships among all stakeholders in a project. It can’t be just about protecting one’s own interests at the expense of others. At Miller, we work closely with our clients to develop win-win solutions. That includes navigating cost escalations, tariffs, or labor shortages — challenges that can’t simply be excluded or offloaded onto others. Instead, we try to foster open communication and mutual understanding. We aim to provide value through expertise, understanding risks, and creating shared success for everyone involved — owners, subcontractors, design partners, and suppliers.

Are you integrating things like smart building systems or new construction technologies into your everyday operations?
There’s a wide range of construction technologies available today: smart buildings, building automation, AI integration, and more. But many of these choices ultimately come down to the end user’s comfort with the technology. For example, when smartphones first came out, not everyone used them. Now, they’re ubiquitous. In construction, we’re constantly working to integrate tools that streamline processes, things like prefabrication, offsite manufacturing, BIM, and 3D modeling. Construction remains a boots-on-the-ground industry, but these tools are evolving and giving us new ways to deliver more complex buildings with greater efficiency. No single innovation has radically transformed construction, but we’re gradually adopting multiple tools that help us work smarter.

What are the primary challenges facing the construction and development industry right now?
Uncertainty around future costs remains a major concern. This could be driven by tariffs, supply and demand dynamics, or other factors. Workforce development is another critical issue, especially how immigration policies might impact our current labor pool. Additionally, narrow project margins can make deals more vulnerable to even minor cost fluctuations. These variables introduce significant risk, which is why transparency and strategic planning are essential in today’s market.

What’s the importance of ensuring high-performance, durable development practices for safer, higher-quality construction?
I believe Florida, and especially South Florida, has been a national leader in resilient construction practices, particularly for hurricane resistance. Since Hurricane Andrew in the early 1990s, our building codes and construction methods have continually improved. We’re seeing higher finished floor elevations to mitigate flooding, stronger materials, and better structural engineering. Newer buildings are built to withstand these storms. While storm surge presents different challenges, our region has made significant progress in addressing those, too. Overall, South Florida leads the way in storm-resilient construction.

What makes Palm Beach an ideal market for Miller Construction compared to other areas like Fort Lauderdale or Miami?
Our people are the key. Many of our teammates live in Palm Beach County — their kids go to school there, their families are rooted there — and naturally, they want to work close to home. From a quality-of-life perspective, it’s an amazing place to live and work. While great clients can be found in any market, we’ve been fortunate to establish strong relationships in Palm Beach. When we have clients we value in that market, we make the effort to build and grow with them.

What distinguishes Miller Construction from your competitors in the industry?
Many firms can build a building, but at Miller, it’s about how we build it. We focus on the overall experience we deliver to our clients. Our goal is to exceed expectations at every stage, from early planning and preconstruction through to final delivery. We aim to be a true partner, sitting on the client’s side of the table and offering value at every step. For us, client satisfaction is a top priority, and that commitment is a major differentiator.

What specific measures or initiatives is Miller Construction implementing to improve the client experience?
We engage in regular strategic planning to ensure we’re continuously improving. One recent initiative has been expanding our multifamily platform to better support growth in that segment. We’ve brought on new team members to strengthen that focus. While we’re not making dramatic changes — because our model is already solid — we’re always refining our processes to better meet future challenges and client needs.

What is your outlook for Miller Construction in Palm Beach over the next two to three years?
Our outlook is very optimistic. While challenges remain — uncertainty, tighter margins, evolving market conditions — we’re still seeing projects move forward and deals get done. It may take more effort to bring them to fruition, but we’re confident in our team’s ability to succeed. We’re bullish about the opportunities ahead and committed to growing our presence in Palm Beach County.

What new projects are on the horizon?
We just broke ground on an exciting marina project in Palm Beach Gardens. It’s already underway, and we’re beginning to pour concrete. It’s going to be a fantastic project for both our client and the broader marine community in the area. Other projects are still in the pre-development phase, but we’re looking forward to continued growth.