Locations
Warfel Construction Co.
Project Estimator
Key Contacts
Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Don Banzhof's Bio
Education: BA Psychology, Bucknell University
Years in Industry: 36
Years at Warfel: 17
As Vice President of Real Estate Development, Don works with current and potential clients in assisting them with their real estate needs, including monetizing their real estate holdings. Formerly Vice President of Business Development, Don’s enthusiasm for creating Clients for Life energizes our team to provide award-winning service and best-in-class work for new and existing clients.
Don has served on the board of directors for the S. June Smith Foundation, United Cerebral Palsy, Rotary Club of Lancaster, Central PA Chapter of SMPS, and the First United Methodist Church. Don has also served as the BSA PA Dutch Council STEM Camporee Chairman, a member of the Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner committee, Cubmaster of Pack 102, and Eagle Scout mentor for Troop 99. Don coached recreational soccer and baseball for Manheim Township.
Matthew Hartzler's Bio
Education: BS Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology, Penn State University
Years in Industry: 27
Years at Warfel: 27
Ethical, honest, and genuine exemplify the values and personality of Matt Hartzler. Matt’s extensive knowledge and experience, combined with his reputation as a community leader, are a great benefit to Warfel’s entire team. His collaborative effort with architects, trade contractors, and owners provides economical, yet practical building solutions, materials, and methods.
Matt joined Warfel Construction Company in 1995 as a Project Engineer. He was named Assistant Manager of Operations in 2002, and became a Vice President/Manager of Operations and Partner in 2007. He assumed the role of President in 2012 and became President/CEO in 2021.
As President and CEO, Matt’s role is to provide executive oversight on projects from Marketing through Design and Construction. His expertise in building is typically demonstrated during the preconstruction phase, as he works collaboratively with architects and owners to provide economical, yet practical building solutions, materials, and methods to the team. During his tenure at Warfel, Matt has been involved primarily with construction and renovation projects for senior and health care facilities. From minor facility modifications to multi-million dollar expansions, his experience and knowledge in building for these industries is vast and valuable.
Matt currently serves on the boards of Water Street Ministries and Mennonite Home.
Ralph Simpson Jr's Bio
Ralph Simpson currently serves as CEO of Warfel Construction Company. A professional engineer, Ralph has dedicated most of his life to the building industry, learning and experiencing every aspect. From working in the field in his teens and earning a civil engineering degree, to his years in estimating, project management and eventually to executive oversight, his knowledge and experience is extensive and comprehensive. Combined with his reputation as a community leader, Ralph is a great benefit to the entire team. Involved with projects of all scopes and sizes throughout his career, he has the insight, knowledge and expertise needed to be a resource throughout the preconstruction and construction phases of your project.
Ralph serves as a board and executive board member for ABC, currently serves as the Tocqueville Society Chair for the United Way, the board chair for Millersville Area Youth Soccer Club, coach and board member of Lancaster Firebirds Ice Hockey, and Prospers Chair of EDC. He is past chair of the United Way board, the United Way Search Committee, and Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Estimating, Purchasing & Preconstruction
Brad Shulenberger's Bio
Education: B. S. Construction Management, Pennsylvania College of Technology
Years in Industry: 11
Years at Warfel: 6
Energetic and determined, Brad brings insightful leadership to the Construction Services team at Warfel. His previous experiences in project management and business development allow him to operate effectively, capitalizing on his wide knowledge base of the construction industry. From this breadth of experience, Brad specializes in determining new services and methods to meet the changing and evolving world of the construction industry.
Brad works with Warfel’s Facilities and Service Team as well as our Special Projects Group to create customized solutions for clients with unique, small-scale projects. He strives to promote strong relationships with clients and field staff by instilling a culture of teamwork and cooperation within the team.
Brad serves as a board member for the Pennsylvania Technology Student Association.
Sean Cotter's Bio
Education: B.S. Psychology, Millersville University
B.S. Estimating, Harrisburg Area Community College
Years in Industry: 22
Years at Warfel: 11
Sean provides overall leadership and support to the preconstruction and estimating teams through his grasp of the current economy, pulse on the local and national trade markets, and experience of all phases of the preconstruction process.
His experience as a United States Marine along with a degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology gives him a unique perspective on team building, process efficiencies and client relations. A strong believer in finding the most direct path to a solution, Sean is consistently looking for new and unique ways to improve the clients experience while building a strong well-rounded preconstruction team.
Sean serves on the advisory board of the Lancaster branch of the Salvation Army. Previously, Sean volunteered at the Lancaster Chamber on their Small Business Committee as well as a board member at the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County.
Operations
Conlan Swope's Bio
Education: BS Civil Engineering, Penn State University
Years in Industry: 14
Years at Warfel: 14
Motivated and creative, Conlan brings a fresh perspective to project management and has earned high praise from both the field staff and project executives for his ability to handle the intense daily operations of a project. His education and training both in the field and in the office at Warfel has afforded him the ability to see ‘the big picture’ of a construction project and to anticipate problems before they occur. He is direct and assertive in his dealings with subcontractors, but also fair in order to create a positive work environment to help bring the project together successfully.
Conlan is deeply passionate about cultivating relationships, curating positive attitudes and ingraining the Clients For Life mentality. Champion of the value-driven culture at Warfel, Conlan has revolutionized our hiring process, ensuring that we find the right people to serve our clients and continue our long tradition of growth.
Conlan serves as a board member of Black Rock Retreat and as Vice President for CrossRoads Mission Haiti. He also volunteers as a youth football coach for LS Youth Football.
Finance & Accounting
Tony Smith's Bio
Education: MBA, University of South Carolina
BBA Accounting, Baylor University
Years in Industry: 5
Years at Warfel: 5
Tony brings more than 25 years of financial and accounting leadership to the company. With experience in public accounting, telecommunications, healthcare, and hospitality, Tony adds a vast knowledge of the industries we serve to our executive team. Passionate about improving business through data, Tony is a strong advocate for influencing decisions via enhanced technology and metrics.
Tony currently serves on the Finance Board of the Lancaster EDC, the Board of the PA Dutch Council for the Boy Scouts of America, and the Board of LogosWorks. He has also been an instructor for Business & Leadership at Messiah University, where he has recently taught courses in strategic leadership and data analytics.
Other
Brett Calabretta's Bio
Education: MBA, York College of Pennsylvania
BS Civil Engineering, Penn State University
Years in Industry: 23
Years at Warfel: 17
Brett is focused on enhancing the experience for clients through innovation, continuous improvement, and consistently delivering on Warfel’s commitment to excellence. His collaborative approach centered on integrity and partnerships are what allow him to excel at developing Clients For Life.
Throughout his tenure at Warfel, Brett has provided client-focused solutions on a wide range of projects in senior living, healthcare, education, and commercial markets. He was also instrumental in launching Warfel’s Preconstruction services, and now provides senior leadership to the company’s Preconstruction & Estimating, Virtual Design and Construction, and Business Development and Marketing teams. As a member of the executive leadership team, he is actively involved with defining the strategic goals and vision of the organization and aligning the initiatives and activities of our teams to support them.
Brett is a LEED Accredited Professional and a licensed Professional Engineer. He also displays great passion and commitment to the construction industry, as well as the community. Brett is actively engaged in the community through his involvement with Lancaster City Alliance’s Board of Directors, the Lancaster Chamber’s Community Advisory Council, Hempfield School District Superintendent’s Business Advisory Council, serving as a mentor to local high school students, and his involvement in various industry organizations.