After graduating from Virginia Tech with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1972, lifelong Pennsylvania resident Ross Myers returned to his hometown of Worcester to work for Allan A. Myers and Son, a construction company established by his grandfather.



At that time, the family business had ten employees. Since Ross became president in 1983, the company has evolved into American Infrastructure, a contracting firm with 1,400 employees. American Infrastructure is comprised of three construction companies-Allan A. Myers, T.C. Simons, R.G. Griffith-as well as Independence Construction Materials. More than half the growth in the former family business has come about during the past five years.



Under Mr. Myers' direction, American Infrastructure has earned a national reputation for progressive management, a highly skilled workforce, quality and customer satisfaction. The company is ranked among the top 50 heavy contractors in the nation by Engineering News Record and was named as one of Pennsylvania's top 100 places to work in 2000 and 2001.



A primary source of American Infrastructure's success is Mr. Myers' commitment to the professional development of all of his employees. He has instituted the Career Track Program for employees who are engineering graduates; an 18-month Leadership Intensive Program for employees throughout the company; a Leadership Development Course, developed and taught by Ross; a six-year partnership with Drexel University to provide construction management credit courses at the corporate offices for employees at all levels; and the AI Continuous Learning Center, where all employees can develop skills and career opportunities.



Mr. Myers also is a leader in community service. He founded and funds the athletic programs for New Life Youth and Family Services. In honor of his father, Allan C. Myers, Ross established a memorial scholarship fund at Montgomery County Community College. The Myers family holds an annual antique car show and barbecue to support the fund, which so far has awarded 136 scholarships. In 1997 the Boy Scouts of America-Lafayette District recognized Ross as "Good Scout of the Year."



Personally and through American Infrastructure, Mr. Myers supports numerous charities, including the American Red Cross, Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society, Police Athletic League, AmeriCares, Habitat for Humanity, The Pathway School, Baker Industries, Project H.O.M.E., and the Salvation Army. He is also a member of the Central Schwenkfelder Church and has served as chair of the Missions Board.



As an engineer and student of historical architecture, Mr. Myers has been responsible for the restoration and/or adaptive re-use of many old Pennsylvania buildings and structures. One such project, which won a National Award for Excellence from Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc., was the restoration of the 19th century Myers family farmstead. Ross has restored another farmstead in Lancaster County and has begun a restoration project in Worcester, which includes placing more than 100 acres in the Montgomery County Lands Trust. He also restores and races vintage racecars.



Mr. Myers has been appointed by the Governor of Pennsylvania to serve on the Board of Preservation PA, and by the Montgomery Board of Commissioners to serve on the county's Committee on History and Culture.



Also an active Virginia Tech alumnus, Ross is chairman of the Board of Construction Affiliates, a liaison between the construction industry and the Construction Engineering and Building Construction programs at Virginia Tech. He has served on CEE's Alumni Board and has been invited to become a member of the College of Engineering's Committee of 100.



Ross and his wife, Beth, live on a Germanic farm that was established in 1728 and which they have worked together to restore. The couple have six children-Aaron (a Virginia Tech CEE graduate), Brett, Brock, Jenny, Seth Andrew, and Seth Carson. When the family is able to get together, they enjoy skiing and lake vacations.