The team at EWI Construction is always hard at work bringing to life structures that are simply ideas before it reaches their hands. Elevate, Inc. decided to center its focus on the Director of Operations at EWI Construction: Cory Ellison.

Cory has been with EWI since its inception, 9 years ago, and remains focused on bringing quality projects to his community in Tampa Bay.

Cory’s first experiences in construction started when he was 15 years old, working under his father, Sam Ellison, at the Beck Group. Cory helped out any way he could–from sweeping floors and cleaning jobsites, to eventually working as a field engineer. While at Florida State University, Cory also worked as a project engineer for the Beck Group. Throughout his academic and professional development, Cory’s interest in construction has been sustained by the gratification of bringing an idea into a tangible reality. “I love the fact that we are able to create something that, at the end of the day, you can take a step back and say ‘we did that,’” Cory notes. “It’s pretty amazing.”

This passion to build for his community continues to resonate with Cory’s work at EWI Construction, a company that strives to build differently. As market disruptors, EWI brings a fresh approach to construction and to the relationship between the contractor and architect. Their alternative attitude is grounded in good design, from conception to finished product. How effective this approach to design and design professionals is is evident in their final product.

When asked of his proudest EWI project to date, Cory replied that, “It’s like asking a parent to choose their favorite child.” However, he distinguished that the recently completed UT Fitness Center stood out amongst previous projects, working alongside the project’s architect and engineers to have a hand in building a truly exceptional project.

Outside of construction, Cory and EWI’s team are always looking to contribute to the community through various charities. Recently, EWI hosted the University of Tampa Tarpon Invitational, supporting scholarships for the University’s Athletics Department. Out of the office, Cory says you can either find him out on the water, boating and fishing, or rooting on the Florida State Seminoles.