Over the last 12 years, Ricky Grogan has worked on some of the most complex bridge projects on the East Coast. He has lived in six states, plus Washington, D.C., with current residency in Florida. Employed by the Walsh Group, he is the project director for the six-year $960 million upgrade of the Howard Frankland Bridge, a vital artery connecting Tampa and St. Petersburg. Under Grogan's direction, team members have instituted unique solutions to significantly enhance the project's success. Those innovations include a method for safely and efficiently cleaning concrete piles, a groundbreaking engineered grouted connection to support water line footing that improved labor efficiency, and a creative approach for placing bridge decks on an island using conveyor systems. Collectively, these advancements have resulted in multi-million-dollar savings, elimination of safety hazards, and an accelerated project delivery timeline.

At 35 years old, Grogan's position as a project director is typically held by professionals in their mid- to upper-40s. He attributes his success to a strong work ethic, a knack for problem solving, and the ability to lead large teams (currently 360+ employees) while fostering a positive and results-driven culture. In 2024, he was selected for the prestigious Walsh Group Leadership Initiative, a two-year program reserved for the company's top performers.

He is a guest lecturer for Purdue's construction engineering capstone class, in which he also serves as a mentor, and he contributes to Robert Bowen's CE 597 course on leadership and advanced project management. In addition, he mentors students in the ACE (Architecture-Construction-Engineering) Program in Tampa Bay, FL.