MANAGEMENT

W. Lee Gaines, Jr., President

As a well-respected construction professional with over 50 years in the business, Lee manages the financial end of Gaines and Company. He handles the job bidding process and oversees personnel matters. Serving as a past president and board member of the Associated Utility Contractors of Maryland, as well as a long-time board member of the National Utility Contractors Association, Lee is a respected member of his community. He was appointed by Governor Hogan to the Maryland Transportation Authority in 2015 and is still an active board member today. A graduate of Yale University, Lee devotes his time and energy to supporting education. He is a past trustee of Boys’ Latin School, Gilman School, and is currently a trustee at Yorktown University. Lee still plays a competitive game of tennis. Lee and his wife, Beth, have been married for over 40 years and have four children and six grandchildren.

L. Myrton Gaines II, Vice President

With more than 40 years of experience in site development, Myrt fulfills a critical role at Gaines and Company. He coordinates all field operations, visits jobsites, and works closely with every client. When overseeing projects, Myrt attends to the intricate details he is uniquely qualified for with his vast construction experience. Myrt also schedules jobs, purchases equipment, and oversees fleet maintenance. Myrt is known for his congenial nature, and he genuinely helps employees, customers, and inspectors understand their worth to the company. A graduate of Boys Latin School and Washington College, Myrt is also a past president of the Associated Utility Contractors of Maryland. He and his wife, Mary B., have been married for 38 years and have two children. If Myrt isn’t on the jobsite, he’s most likely on the water with his second love, Summertime Girl.

David Gaines, Vice President

David is a graduate of Princeton University and holds an MBA from the University of Texas Business School. He served in the Marine Corps on active duty for four years and spent seven years serving in the active Reserves, ending his service as a Major.  Prior to moving back to his home state of Maryland in 2016, David grew a diverse client base for the North Carolina operations. During his tenure, North Carolina expanded Gaines and Company’s site development services to regional municipalities, federal military bases, developers and contractors. David diligently works to demonstrate Gaines’ dedication to quality and service by making sure each customer’s needs are fully met – no matter the client. He is a past President of the North Carolina Utility Contractor’s Association and a founding board member of Operation Coming Home, a charity dedicated to providing free homes to disabled veterans. Currently, David acts as a member of the Maryland Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Authority appointed by Governor Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr. of Maryland. As Vice President, David works closely with customers, estimators and project managers. David and his wife, Katherine, have been married for 17 years and have two children.

Bill Gaines, Vice President

Bill re-joined the site development industry with Gaines in 2003 after a distinguished five-year career as a Baltimore County firefighter. Bill also founded and is president of First Class Hauling, a Gaines and Company subsidiary. Bill has held a variety of positions within the company, including managing all job site logistics by making sure the right equipment got to the right job. He also spent time as a laborer, truck driver, equipment operator, foreman, and superintendent. Bill has been instrumental in designing and outfitting Gaines and Company’s grading equipment with the latest GPS grade control technology, and implementing telematics to aid in maintenance, minimize down time, and increase fleet efficiency. Bill is also involved with purchasing new equipment and vehicles for the company. He is a co-owner of GEC Equipment, LLC, an affiliate company. Bill and his wife, Anna, have five children.

Dominic Pope, Safety Director

Since 2013, Safety Director Dominic Pope has been instrumental in developing and continually enhancing Gaines and Company’s safety program. He has extensive construction industry field experience as a heavy equipment mover. During this time, Dominic’s curiosity and passion for safety grew. When a Safety First colleague offered him a Field Representative & Safety Consultant position, he quickly accepted and officially transitioned his career to safety. While working at Safety First, Dominic performed full, in-house inspections and made recommendations to developers, sheet metal contractors, and roofing companies. After two successful years as a consultant, Dominic joined the management team at Gaines and Company.

Eric Boone, Chief Estimator/Senior Project Manager

Eric joined Gaines and Company in 2001. His dynamic, outgoing personality and attention to detail make him an ideal individual to manage complicated, tedious jobs, which he does with good humor. No matter what task Eric tackles, it is accomplished with great professionalism. He is a great communicator, keeping customers included in all details of the job. Eric, his wife, Shelly, and his son, Owen, live in Westminster, Maryland.

Mike Soul, Superintendent

Mike oversees field operations from Gaines and Company’s Maryland office. Mike is a natural leader and worked his way up the ranks. Young and ambitious, Mike started with Gaines and Company in 1993 as a pipe layer and progressed swiftly to foreman by 1996. His energy is matched only by his technical proficiency, ability to get along with others, and talent to organize and complete difficult jobs on time and under budget. Mike moved to North Carolina in 2005. He led crews to steady improvement and earned the respect of municipal inspectors. Mike has since relocated back to Maryland where he continues to do a spectacular job. Mike and his wife, Luanne, have two children and one grandson.

Keith Eagle, Project Manager

Keith started with Gaines and Company in 2010 after a career as a site superintendent for various construction contracting companies. Keith hit the ground running by managing site grading operations and site development duties. He is very organized and is always thinking multiple steps ahead. There is no situation or problem that Keith is unable to solve. Keith, his wife, Amy, and his daughter, Emily, are all avid Ravens fans. Keith serves as an officer for the Associated Utility Contractors of Maryland.

George Grammer, Vice President

George has been instrumental with Gaines and Company’s site development success for over 30 years, beginning as an assistant estimator and laborer. George has worked diligently over the years to further his knowledge and expertise. In doing so, he developed into one of our most respected project managers. In our Maryland division, he was active in the bidding and negotiation processes. In 2016, George moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, where he currently runs all regional operations. From both inside the office and out in the field, George is an expert at analyzing jobs, managing personnel, and communicating with customers. George and his wife, Kelly, have been married for over 30 years. They are blessed with four children and four grandchildren.

Jake Grammer, Estimator/Project Manager

Jake Grammer joined Gaines and Company in 2015, initially working in the Maryland division before transitioning to North Carolina in 2019. With a solid foundation gained from his 5-year tenure at a Gaines utility supplier, Jake stepped into his role as Estimator/Project Manager with ease. In his current position, Jake is responsible for preparing comprehensive cost estimates, schedules, and contracts for both private and federal projects. He specializes in federal estimating and project management, overseeing significant contracts like Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg). His responsibilities also include managing bids, obtaining permits, and overseeing the overall progress and quality of jobs. Outside of work, Jake is an avid golfer, fitness enthusiast, and Pittsburgh Steelers fan. He takes great pride in watching his son, Jackson, play ice hockey and enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Mallory, who is a dedicated teacher.

Mark Butcher, Superintendent

Mark Butcher started his career in the utility construction industry in Massachusetts in 1985. He began as a laborer and was promoted to foreman within two years. In 2004, Mark moved his family to Raleigh, North Carolina. Since joining Gaines and Company’s site development team, Mark has proven himself invaluable. He has an excellent attitude and gives 110% every day. In his spare time, Mark enjoys playing the drums, a hobby he began when he was nine years old. His band opened for Kenny Rogers and the Crickets at one time. He lives with his wife, Theresa, and three children, Jordan, Weston, and Mason. He is a dedicated family man that treasures time outdoors riding quads, dirt bikes, and hiking.

Jim Stafford, Superintendent

With over 40 years of experience in residential, commercial, and heavy highway construction, Jim Stafford is a seasoned professional in the field of dirt grading and project management. Since joining Gaines and Company in March 2018 as a Grading Superintendent, Jim has been entrusted with overseeing major jobs, including subcontractor management and mass grading projects. His responsibilities extend to finalizing jobs through fine grading, addressing punch lists, and ensuring the completion of curbs, sidewalks, gutters, and paving to bring projects to fruition. Jim’s extensive background in heavy civil work and road construction has equipped him with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in grading and site preparation, allowing him to work effectively with clients, subcontractors, and suppliers. Outside of work, Jim enjoys playing golf and attending sporting events, especially cheering for the Hurricanes hockey team. He takes great pride in his family, including his wife Beth of 25 years, their two daughters, and his grandson.

Darren Martiano, Superintendent

Darren Martiano brings over a decade of experience to his role as Utility Superintendent. Hailing from Fort Myers, Florida, Darren began his journey in the construction industry as a Pipe Foreman, honing his skills in wet utility installations for 11 years. He relocated to North Carolina, where he initially settled in Charlotte, but the allure of the Raleigh area prompted him to join Gaines and Company in 2008. Starting as a Utility Foreman, Darren’s dedication and expertise quickly earned him promotions, first to Foreman and then to Superintendent, even amidst the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. In his current role, Darren oversees utility crews, liaises with project owners, ensures quality control on-site, and prioritizes crew safety. His responsibilities span from project inception to completion, including planning, scheduling, and managing materials, as well as addressing post-construction punch lists. Outside of work, Darren is a passionate outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, traveling, and cheering for the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team. He values family time and has been happily married for 26 years with three children. His love for the outdoors extends to saltwater fishing, boating, and camping with his family.

Joe Fulton, Superintendent

Joe Fulton’s journey with Gaines and Company began in 2012 where he worked to steadily climb the industry ladder. With a diverse background that includes service in the Army and hands-on experience in construction, he began as a laborer, progressing to pipe layer, then foreman and currently Superintendent. In his role as Superintendent, Joe oversees day-to-day operations on various job sites, coordinating with grading teams and subcontractors to ensure seamless progress and timely completion of projects. His expertise in public water, sewer, and pipe laying, particularly at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), has made him the go-to person for development, commercial, and federal work. Joe’s rapid learning curve and proactive approach make him a rising star among younger superintendents. Outside of work, Joe has a passion for raising quarter horses on his farm, which he and his significant other like to show in team-penning and ranch-sorting competitions. Together since 2010, Joe and his significant other enjoy everything from grand adventures to small moments together.