PEOPLE OF INTEREST
73
Name: George Denti
Age: 59
Occupation: Construction project
manager
People
Family: Wife, Catherine; Daughter
Danielle, grandsons Nathan 3
and Jonathan, 1
Background: Courses at Florida
International University, Miami-
Dade and Indian River State colleges; 31 years with Florida
Department of Transportation.
What inspires me: “Getting things done. You visualize a
project, plan it and prosecute that plan.”
Something most people don’t know about me: “I am a parttime
charter boat captain and an accomplished chef.
People
People
was the only way off the island for some folks.”
Everyone seems to agree that the affable Denti is the right
man for the job. It is a combination of public relations and
problem solving. “The hardest thing is getting people to commit
and agree on all levels. Every day is different and there is a
new problem. And none of them can be anticipated,” he said.
As development director for the City of Stuart, Terry O’Neil
worked with Denti on the Roosevelt Bridge. “I had a good
working relationship with him,” said O’Neil. “It wasn’t an
easy project. He is a first-rate manager. We didn’t always
agree, but he listens. It was a good experience I think everyone
would agree.”
Martin County engineer Don Donaldson describes Denti
as a “people person, gregarious, hard-working and goaloriented.
We didn’t always agree. He managed some tough
projects. He was always forthright and he struck a balance to
get the county’s needs addressed. He is a bit of an entertainer
with the microphone,” Donaldson said.
Denti recalls each project and its individual headaches.
“The Roosevelt Bridge proved problematic in maintaining
U.S. 1 and State Road 707 traffic of 55,000 vehicle trips per
day,” he said.
“The Evans Crary Bridge proved difficult in dealing with
the politics and demands of (Town of) Sewall’s Point and its
ever changing regimes.
“The Ernest Lyons Bridge was probably the easiest from a
social standpoint, but we had some engineering challenges.
“The Frank A. Wacha Bridge was a simple project gone bad
with two back-to-back major hurricane direct hits when we
were at 75 percent completion.
“The Veterans Memorial Bridge (Indian Street) had environmental
sensitivity concerns due to lawsuits and the permit
challenge delays had us walking on eggshells,” he said.
Two bridges were completed on time and two others 30
days ahead of schedule. Only the hurricane-ravaged Jensen
Beach bridge was late.
Denti has served on the Stuart-Martin County Chamber of
Commerce’s transportation committee for the past 20 years
since he first appeared to explain the construction plans for
the new Roosevelt Bridge. “If I had the opportunity to pick
someone for that role, I couldn’t find a better person,” said
Joe Catrambone, executive director. “He has a professional
demeanor and a great sense of humor. We don’t have any
more bridges to build. He has been great for this county and
I am going to miss him.”
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