GROVER CHESHIRE III 

In the mid-1970s, I worked with my father in the asphalt paving business, where I learned to read  blueprints and manage paving and grading operations in Fernandina and Amelia Island  Plantation. In 1979, I joined Sloan Construction, traveling throughout Florida to pave interstates  and major highways. In 1980, I moved into a supervisory role, and in 1981, we went to Lajes  U.S. Air Force Base in the Azores, Portugal. There, we completed the first full-scale recycled  asphalt project for the U.S. government, pioneering a process where old asphalt was milled and  recycled through an asphalt plant to repave runways. All our equipment and liquid asphalt were  shipped by sea, and Sloan even sent dynamite crews to excavate existing rock for the paving  operations. I helped with aggregate crushing and prep, and we shared the bottom floor of the  Marine Corps barracks along with all four branches of the U.S. military. 

Back home, my last project with Sloan was a 12-mile stretch of I-95 in Daytona Beach. In 1983,  I returned to work with my father in Fernandina Beach and Jacksonville, where I learned to  calculate, estimate, and schedule jobs—skills I gained from both my father and Sloan  Construction. I worked with him until 1988, when I decided to start my own business, primarily  working in Jacksonville and St. Augustine. In 2008, work slowed considerably, making those  years challenging. My last project was at Canaveral National Seashore in Cape Canaveral and  Titusville. Finally, in 2012, I closed my business and moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, to work on  asphalt projects inside the U.S. Embassy. The work presented unique challenges, including  adapting to different specifications and sourcing materials to meet embassy timelines. 

I returned in 2013 and worked as a subcontractor for Southern Development, led by George  Sayar, who was managing projects in the Bahamas, Afghanistan, Libya, Jacksonville, and  southeastern Georgia. I learned a lot from George, and later worked a year with Kudzue Paving  on large paving projects. In 2021, I met Luis and Jose, and together we formed Gradeland LLC.  Today, we handle full-site projects, including landscaping and irrigation, for clients such as  Vallencourt, Gate Petroleum, Dream Finder Homes, PBM Constructors, Fernandina Beach  Airport, and others.

Upon returning home, my final project with Sloan was a 12-mile stretch of I 95 in Daytona Beach. In 1983, I rejoined my father in Fernandina Beach and  Jacksonville, where I refined my skills in job calculation, estimation, and  scheduling—knowledge that I gained through my experiences at Sloan and  from my father. I continued working with him until 1988, when I decided to  launch my own business, focusing primarily on projects in Jacksonville and  St. Augustine. 

The economic downturn in 2008 posed significant challenges, but I managed  to complete my final project at the Canaveral National Seashore in Cape  Canaveral and Titusville. In 2012, I closed my business and relocated to  Kabul, Afghanistan, where I oversaw asphalt projects within the U.S.  Embassy. This role presented unique challenges, including adapting to new  specifications and sourcing materials to meet strict embassy deadlines. 

In 2013, I returned to the U.S. and began subcontracting for Southern  Development, led by George Sayar, working on projects in the Bahamas,  Afghanistan, Libya, Jacksonville, and southeastern Georgia. My time with  George was invaluable, and afterward, I spent a year with Kudzue Paving,  handling large-scale paving projects. In 2021, I partnered with Luis and Jose  to establish Gradeland LLC. Today, we specialize in comprehensive site  projects, including landscaping and irrigation, serving clients like  Vallencourt, Gate Petroleum, Dream Finder Homes, PBM Constructors,  and Fernandina Beach Airport.