Board of Directors

Lee Sims

Mr. Sims is currently the President of L & A Contracting Company. Since joining L & A in 1973, he has worked in various capacities on a number of projects in the following areas:

• Heavy Highway Construction with emphasis on bridge construction
• Gas Pipelines
• Compressor Stations

L & A is engaged primarily in highway and bridge construction and rehabilitation in the Southeastern United States. The Company normally undertakes construction contracts as the prime contractor and subcontracts those items, which are outside of their primary emphasis. To a lesser degree, the Company is also involved in various construction and service activities for industry and municipalities.

In his current position as President, he is responsible for overall performance of site personnel in the field and successful completion of the project to the satisfaction of the owner of the project. There are two area managers that report directly to him on the status of projects. Mr. Sims is constantly meeting with the various Department of Transportations on such items as pre-construction meetings, scheduling, and change orders.

Mr. Sims has served on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Road Builders Association. He has served as Director of the University of Southern Mississippi Foundation and he is a member of the USM Honors Club and President’s Circle. He is Co-Founder and Director of the Bank of Hattiesburg (presently the Great Southern). Ray is also appointed member of the Mississippi Contractors License Board. He serves on the Board of the Forrest County Recreational Department and the Lynn Cartlidge Multi-purpose Center. He is also a member of the USM Circle of Champions, the USM Eagle Club and is a recipient of the USM Athlete’s Department Doc Roberts award. Ray has served the honorable position of judge for the American Quarter Horse Association and the National Cutting Horse Association for several years. The Pine Burr Area Council, Boy Scouts of America honored Mr. Sims with the 2005 Distinguished Citizens Award.

Charlie T. Sutherland

Mr. Sutherland is currently an owner/managing member of F-S Prestress LLC which was acquired in March 2000. With plants located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Princeton, Louisiana, serving the prestressed/precast concrete industry in AR, LA, TX, MS, AL, FL, and GA. He is responsible for overall operations of both locations.

He started his career with L & A Contracting Company in 1973 working in various capacities such as construction foreman, construction superintendent, and construction manager. He is co-owner of L & A and currently serves as the Vice-President. Mr. Sutherland has been an integral member of the L & A management team for over 34 years. He has been responsible for construction of heavy industrial projects, supervising field forces, and carrying construction through to completion. Mr. Sutherland has overseen the purchasing of construction equipment and supplies, personnel safety, and proper construction methods. He is thoroughly experienced with projects for new facilities and expansions and modifications to existing facilities. His experience includes projects in heavy and highway construction, coastal construction, oil and gas industries, and utility undergrounds.