Leadership


In a world of mega-corporations created by frenzied mergers and acquisitions, Whipple remains what it always has been: a small company with a lot of muscle. Our size means that your project manager will be a senior member of our staff, someone who has access to the ear of top management and to the expertise of his peers. We will handle your project with passion, sensitivity and experience.

Rodney A. White

President & Treasurer

rwhite@whipple-construction.com

Rod has more than 35 years of experience in building construction and facility maintenance. His training in construction management includes service in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, education at Central New England College and coursework at WPI. His project portfolio includes the building of the 111 Chophouse and The Sole Proprietor, two landmark Worcester restaurants, industrial buildings and machine foundations for Rodney Hunt Company and Wyman-Gordon Company, Wright Line and the Crematory Building at Rural Cemetery, Worcester. Rod volunteers for several community boards. He is very active in the Rotary Club, carpenters apprenticeship training and Worcester General Contractors Association.

John W. Anderson

Vice President

janderson@whipple-construction.com

John earned his Associate’s Degree in Civil and Highway Engineering from Wentworth Institute, Boston, and his BSCE from Northeastern University, Boston. His projects include the New Southeast Fire Station, Worcester, an addition to the Gale Free Library in Holden and the construction of Foothills Theatre at Worcester Center. John also performed renovations and new construction for the Seven Hills Foundation, renovations for UMass Memorial Healthcare and office construction and alterations to Worcester’s two Class I office towers. John serves on the board of the Devereux Foundation and is a Trustee of the Paxton Congregational Church.

Christian R. Baehrecke

President Emeritus

cbaehrecke@whipple-construction.com

Chris, a German immigrant, joined Whipple in 1956 upon earning his B.Sc. from WPI. In 1961 Chris received his registration as a professional engineer and was promoted to chief engineer. His projects for Shepherd Knapp School and the restoration of Worcester’s Mechanics Hall received national awards from the AIA. Other adaptive reuse projects Chris managed, such as Whitcomb Hall and Swift House, established Whipple as premier builders for historical restoration. Chris has volunteered on many boards and committees in his home town of Paxton as well as with Preservation Worcester, the YWCA and Community Healthlink. Chris has retired from company management, but continues to serve his clients and is available for the coordination of special projects.

James S. Duncan

Superintendent

jduncan@whipple-construction.com

Jim has been a member of the carpenters union for 35 years. He has worked on many different and unique types of projects and is well versed in all areas of construction, from foundations to finish work. Jim’s managerial portfolio includes work at UMass Medical Center, the Quabbin School District Education Support facility, Union Station, Worcester, and The Worcester Center for the Performing Arts. Jim is a Veteran of the Vietnam War serving in the U.S. Navy Seabees. He holds OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 certification and is a licensed construction supervisor.

Charles E. Edgette, Jr.

Project Superintendent

cedgette@whipple-construction.com

Chuck entered the Carpenters Union in 1980 and has a wealth of experience in all aspects of carpentry, particularly the finish trades such as fine woodworking, cabinetry, custom casework, historic restoration, doors, windows and hardware. He has worked for Whipple for 10 years as a project supervisor, primarily overseeing the more delicate projects that call for his specialized skills. His project portfolio includes renovations to The Sole Proprietor restaurant, Worcester, kitchen renovations at St. Mark’s School, Southborough, interior casework restoration and replication for The Worcester Club and historic restoration work at Hardwick Town Hall, Worcester’s Mechanics Hall and The Gough House, Boylston. Chuck is a licensed construction supervisor and is OSHA 30 certified.

Bruce W. Ellis

Senior Project Manager

bellis@whipple-construction.com

Bruce earned his BSCE from Southeastern Massachusetts University, N. Dartmouth. Through his 25 years with the firm, Bruce has developed a wide range of projects in his portfolio. These projects include the historic renovation of the GAR Hall, Worcester, the Asa Water Mansion, Millbury, and the restoration after fire of the First Unitarian Church, Worcester. Over the past decade or so, Bruce has become very familiar with medical and healthcare related work, managing several projects for Fallon Healthcare Systems, the renovation of the kitchen at Saint Vincent Hospital, the new Cath Lab Facility at UMass Memorial Healthcare and the library upgrade at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester. Bruce is a former trustee of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Darrell J. Griffin

Superintendent

dgriffin@whipple-construction.com

Darrell has been a Union carpenter for 30 years and has extensive supervisory experience. His expertise includes all aspects of the trade, from field concrete work and framing to finish carpentry. He has managed many different commercial and restoration projects for Whipple including the 111 Chophouse restaurant, the fire and historic restoration of The First Unitarian Church, Worcester and numerous projects for UMass Memorial Healthcare. Darrell is a licensed construction Supervisor and is OSHA 30 certified.

Gary A. Griffin

Superintendent

ggriffin@whipple-construction.com

Gary, a Union carpenter, brings 30 years of experience to the job. He began his career building houses, earned supervisory and construction experience while working for building contractors and hospitals, and now routinely superintends projects on the higher end of our portfolio. His projects include the modernization of the U-Mass Memorial Healthcare Worcester Foundation campus, the Davis Farmland park and pavilion, new corporate headquarters for Central One Federal Credit Union and renovations to the Cambridge School, Weston. Gary is a licensed construction supervisor and is OSHA 30 certified.

Thomas P. O’Connor, Jr.

Senior Project Manager

toconnor@whipple-construction.com

Tom has 20 years of experience in construction at all levels, from Field Engineer to Senior Project Manager. He received his bachelor’s and MBA degrees from Norwich University. His portfolio includes five years of civil infrastructure experience on Boston’s “Big Dig” Project, “green” building construction, adaptive reuse, substantial renovation, historical restoration work and many office, laboratory and commercial projects. He served in the U.S. Navy Seabees, sits on the Worcester Korean War Memorial Board of Directors and is a corporator of the Worcester EcoTarium. Tom is a member of the American Legion and is very active in community youth sports, including Lassie League Softball, Little League Baseball and Pop Warner football. Tom is an avid runner and boating enthusiast.

Steven A. White

Senior Project Manager

swhite@whipple-construction.com

Over his fourteen-year tenure with the firm, Steve has been involved in many different aspects of the business. Educated in management and construction management at Becker College, Leicester, and Northeastern University, Boston, Steve coordinates all trucking and warehouse operations in addition to his project management responsibilities. His projects include the renovation of Memorial Hall for Community Healthlink, Worcester, additions, alterations and renovations for Becker College, Worcester, and ADA improvements for the Worcester School Department. Steve is deeply involved in team sports. He captained and later coached successful sports programs at Becker College and Assumption College.

Andrew Shusta

Project Superintendent

ashusta@whipple-construction.com

Andrew brings 31 years of experience to his work at Whipple Construction. He trained as a carpenter in the Carpenters Local 107 Apprentice Training program, performed all types of carpentry and served as Carpentry Foreman for several other firms. He is a licensed Construction Supervisor and holds an OSHA 10 certificate. His projects include the Cambridge School, Weston, the Mirick O'Connell offices at Worcester Center and the Fleet Bank building, Main Street, Worcester.