Leading Panama City Beach Storm Damage Restoration Company Supports Local Team in Statewide and National Competitions
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLA. – Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL) is the Premier Platinum sponsor of Team EVOLVE, a group of dedicated community members participating in a variety of Spartan Races and obstacle course challenges throughout the year. Led by Coach JT Thompson, the 2019 team is comprised of VCGFL staff member Jason Cameron, local businesses, and Bay County Sheriff’s Office employees and their family members.
The team participates in six races obstacle course races throughout the year. The Spartan Sprint was a 3-mile race with obstacles held in Jacksonville, Florida on Feb. 24. The Bonefrog Race was a 9-mile race including 50 obstacles held in Talladega, Alabama on March 23. Emerald Coast Mud Run for Orphans was held on May 18 in Niceville, Florida. The first three have been completed and Team EVOLVE plans to participate in all.
“We are really grateful for the sponsorship from Venture Construction Group of Florida. Thanks to the support from our local businesses, we can continue to participate in a big way,” says JT Thompson, CEO and founder, Evolve with JT.
VCGFL sponsorship provided the opportunity for Team Evolve to get their training organized and purchase a sandbag for each member of the team for the first time. Team Evolve was displaced for several months after Hurricane Michael damaged their obstacle course, which critically disrupted their training program.
“We appreciate the sponsorship and investment in our community. This team means a lot to people here and for some it was something positive to look forward to that gave them confidence when there were so many real life obstacles they were dealing with. The sandbags were such a blessing to help us and instrumental to the team being able to continue to train. This was during a time when we really needed normalcy and the support of one another the most,” says Bethany Thompson, Evolve with JT, Nutrition & Personal Coaching.
Upcoming races include the Barbarian Challenge on June 15 in Gardsden, Ala.; The Bonefrog Challenge on October 19th in Charlotte, N.C. and the Tough Mudder Classic on Nov. 9 in Atlanta, Ga.
Team Evolve focuses on fitness, endurance and nutrition. Team members must commit to training schedules and competing in a minimum of three races throughout the year. The 2019 team trains every Wednesday night and Saturday morning, unless there’s a race on Sunday of that week, then they skip Saturday training. Training includes carrying sand bags of 25 pounds and 40 pounds, sprints, distance running, obstacle course training, tire flipping, pull-ups, air squats, burpees and cross fit.
“It’s been a life-changing experience. You really find out your limits. I’m stronger and more agile, not only physically, but mentally as well. I believe what we do outside of the workplace truly affects our performance in the workplace. As a construction company employee, listening to everyone’s storm stories on the team and what they’ve been through so far has been humbling. At the end of the day, it’s all about resilience, whether you’re running a race or recovering from the storm,” says Jason Cameron, disaster restoration specialist, Venture Construction Group of Florida. “After Hurricane Michael, we are #850Strong,” says Cameron of the growing hashtag campaign in support of the need for massive hurricane relief efforts in the Panhandle.
Recently, over six months after Hurricane Michael made landfall, scientists at NOAA’s National Hurricane Center determined that the storm’s estimated intensity at landfall was 160 mph, a 5 mph increase over the initial estimate, declaring Michael a category 5 storm. Michael is the first hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. as a category 5 since Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and only the fourth on record. On May 4, after 205 days without disaster relief funding, the Florida Senate passed a bill to ensure $1.859 billion will be allocated for Hurricane Michael relief and recovery.
As a storm damage restoration company dedicated to helping property owners before, during, and after the storm, VCGFL is a major advocate for giving back and supporting employee development.
About Venture Construction Group of Florida
Founded in 1998, Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL) is an award-winning leader in construction, restoration, renovations, roofing, storm damage repairs, and 24/7 emergency services throughout Florida, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Bahamas and the Caribbean. Specializing in industrial/ commercial projects, VCGFL assists property managers, condominium boards, homeowner associations, association boards, hotels, and business complexes with general contractor services, specialty construction, historical restoration, water and flood mitigation, and property repairs due to fire, flood, water, wind and hurricanes. With offices in Boca Raton, Ft. Myers, Naples, Panama City Beach, Orlando, Stuart, Tampa, San Juan, and Nassau, VCGFL is committed to operational excellence and exceptional customer service. VCGFL takes care of the details every step of the way including roofing, siding, windows, drywall, flooring, paint, gutters to rebuilding properties after major storm events from hurricanes, tornadoes, and hailstorms. VCGFL holds leading industry awards including the Roofing Alliance MVP Award, Coatings Pro Contractor Award, Pro Remodeler Forty Under 40 Award, Qualified Remodeler Top 500 Remodelers Award, Qualified Remodeler Master Design Award, Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association S.T.A.R. Spotlight Trophy for the Advancement of Roofing Awards in Sustainability and Community Service. CEO Stephen Shanton is an esteemed member of the prestigious Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). Entrepreneur Magazine hails “YEC Consists of Some of the Most Well-Respected Minds in Entrepreneurship.” Shanton is a certified member of the WindStorm Insurance Network™ and is a WIND Certified Umpire®, WIND Certified Appraiser®, and WIND Certified Fellow®. VCGFL carries the industry’s leading accreditations and is an exclusive certified National Storm Damage Center Preferred Contractor, Certified Member of the United Association of Storm Restoration Contractors. VCGFL is a proud member of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) Industry Members Association (EIMA); Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA); Insurance Appraisal and Umpire Association (IAUA); National Association of Home Builders (NAHB); National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA); Property Liability and Resource Bureau (PLRB); Restoration Industry Association (RIA). VCGFL is a registered U.S. Federal Government Contractor and holds leading certifications including Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, Mule-Hide Legacy Contractor, Certified CertainTeed Contractor, and Duro-Last Certified Contractor status. VCGFL credentials have been vetted and screened through independent third-party Global Risk Management Solutions. For more information, call 866-459-8351 or visit us online at www.VCGFL.com.
About Team EVOLVE
Team Evolve is an obstacle course race team and training program under the direction of Spartan SGX Coach JT Thompson. At Team Evolve, we provide a one-of-a kind-team environment that focuses on both individuality and teamwork, which fundamentally transforms each person, both on and off the field. The team has been featured in several media stories and has participated in several fundraising events to give back to the community. Learn more at https://www.evolvewithjt.com/teamevolve.
Media Inquiries:
Jennifer Greenawalt
Elev8 Consulting Group
Ph: 386.243.5388
Em: jennifer@elev8cg.com
Web: www.elev8cg.com
