Brian Yarborough, Business Unit Leader, DPR Construction

July 2026 — In an interview with Invest:, Brian Yarborough, Central Florida business unit leader at DPR Construction, discussed the rapid pace of development in Tampa Bay and the evolving demands facing the construction industry. He highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence infrastructure, supply chain complexity, and the importance of workforce development in sustaining the region’s growth. “In Central Florida alone, we have more than 200 craft professionals who put on their tool belts every day and perform trade work on our projects,” Yarborough said.

What changes over the past year have had the biggest impact on DPR Construction in Tampa Bay?

One of the most significant changes affecting our business right now is the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure and the broader advanced technology market. Even when those projects are not located directly in Tampa Bay, we still feel their influence because of the scale and pace of development happening across the country.

For example, data centers supporting AI are placing enormous demand on certain types of equipment and materials. That affects everything from procurement strategies to scheduling. We recently looked at a project where generator lead times suddenly shifted because another organization placed an order for 1,000 units at once. Situations like that can change timelines almost overnight, and it requires constant attention when planning projects.

Tampa Bay itself is experiencing tremendous growth. When you look across the region, there are multiple large-scale development initiatives underway. There is continued discussion around stadium projects, including the University of South Florida stadium and plans involving the Tampa Bay Rays. Major mixed-use developments like Water Street Tampa are advancing into their next phases, while projects such as the Gasworx redevelopment in Ybor City are gaining traction.

All of this activity is creating significant momentum across the market. It also places strain on the construction industry from a resource standpoint. However, it is balanced by the fact that the region continues to attract new talent and investment, which helps support the level of growth we are seeing.

Are there recent initiatives or approaches that stand out in how DPR is managing this environment?

One of the most important strategies for us is early engagement with clients. We spend a significant amount of time working with customers during the preconstruction planning phase so we can forecast potential challenges and deliver predictable outcomes.

Over the last several years, supply chain disruptions and pricing volatility forced us to refine that approach. While pricing has stabilized somewhat, we still see challenges related to equipment procurement and long-lead infrastructure components. Many of these items can take a year or even two years to secure.

Because of that, we are increasingly helping clients procure critical equipment much earlier in the process than in the past. In some cases, that happens even before trade partners are fully engaged on a project. Our goal is to get ahead of those constraints so the schedule does not become compromised later in the process.

Another major focus is workforce development. The construction industry has been talking about the skilled labor shortage for many years, but the demand we are seeing now makes that challenge even more pressing. As projects grow larger and more complex, having a strong pipeline of talent is absolutely essential.

How is DPR addressing workforce development and skilled labor shortages?

We believe we are in a unique position because we are a self-performing general contractor. In Central Florida alone, we have more than 200 craft professionals who put on their tool belts every day and perform trade work on our projects.

Because of that structure, we have always invested heavily in developing our craft workforce. Over the past few years, we have expanded those efforts significantly. That includes strengthening apprenticeship programs, offering foreman development initiatives, and creating leadership training for individuals who may not traditionally receive that kind of professional development.

Construction careers have tremendous potential, but we need to do a better job communicating that to younger generations. That is why we are reaching out earlier to students, including at the high school level. In addition to traditional college internships, we work with younger students to show them that the construction industry can offer a rewarding and stable career path.

Not everyone wants or needs to pursue a four-year degree. For many people, construction provides an opportunity to build a successful career, support a family, and contribute to their communities. Our goal is to give people the training and foundation they need to succeed in that environment.

Retention is another important part of the equation. Construction has historically been a mobile workforce, with individuals moving frequently from company to company. At DPR, we are proud to see more employees celebrating five-year and 10-year milestones. That kind of longevity is not always common in the industry, and it speaks to the culture we are trying to build.

How does DPR engage with the communities where it operates?

Community engagement is central to our culture. The people who work in our Tampa and Orlando offices live in these communities. They raise their families here, send their kids to school here, and build their careers here. Because of that, we feel a strong responsibility to support the places where we work.

In Tampa, one of our long-standing partnerships is with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Over the years, we have supported multiple projects across their campuses. Sometimes that involves construction improvements, and other times it involves volunteer work or mentorship opportunities.

We are also heavily involved with the ACE Mentorship Program, which introduces high school students to careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. Students regularly visit our offices, where they work with industry professionals and develop presentations based on real-world projects. Programs like that are extremely valuable because they expose young people to the industry and help them understand the wide range of opportunities available.

In Orlando, our team works closely with the New Image Youth Center, supporting community programs through volunteer projects and outreach initiatives. That can include everything from facility improvements to back-to-school drives or career exploration events.

How would you describe the current state of the construction sector in Central Florida?

Overall, I am extremely optimistic about the industry. When you step back and look at the regional and national picture, there are a tremendous number of opportunities across multiple sectors.

At DPR, we focus on five core markets: advanced technology, commercial, higher education, healthcare, and life sciences. In Central Florida specifically, we tend to see the most activity in commercial, healthcare, and higher education. However, when we look across our broader regional network, we maintain a healthy balance across all five sectors.

The commercial office market has slowed somewhat, particularly when it comes to speculative shell office buildings. However, we have seen significant demand for tenant improvements and renovation projects. Many companies are redesigning their offices as part of return-to-work strategies, which creates opportunities for modernization and repositioning.

AI and the expansion of data center infrastructure are transforming the broader construction landscape. Even if those projects are not directly located in our market, they are accelerating innovations that we can apply locally.

One example is prefabrication. Data center construction requires an enormous amount of speed and efficiency, which has pushed us to develop prefabricated building components such as electrical rooms, wall panels, and structural elements. These components can be manufactured in controlled environments and delivered to job sites ready for assembly.

That approach improves safety, reduces on-site labor requirements, and increases quality and consistency. It also allows us to deliver projects more efficiently, which is increasingly important in a fast-growing market like Central Florida.

What are your priorities for DPR over the next two to three years?

Our priorities remain centered on people, partnerships, and impact. First and foremost, we want to continue attracting, training, and retaining exceptional talent. Without the right people, it is impossible to deliver the kind of projects our clients expect.

We also want to continue working with customers who are building projects that matter to their communities. In Central Florida, that includes healthcare systems, universities, and commercial organizations that are shaping the region’s future.

Finally, we want to help evolve the construction industry itself. That means creating more career pathways, expanding workforce development, and introducing technologies and processes that improve safety and efficiency.

Construction is unique because the work we do lasts for generations. The buildings we construct today will serve communities for decades to come. Our goal is to make sure those projects are not only successful for our clients but also meaningful for the people and places they serve.