Rod Nobrega promoted to chief operating officer at Suffolk

Suffolk has announced the promotion of Rod Nobrega to Chief Operating Officer of Suffolk Southwest Florida. An Estero native, Nobrega will oversee all regional operations and lead strategic efforts to expand Suffolk’s presence across high-growth markets including commercial, healthcare, education, aviation and hospitality.

Nobrega brings nearly a decade of experience with Suffolk and a career marked by hands-on leadership, operational excellence, and a strong track record of mentoring and growing operations talent within the company, reinforcing Suffolk’s commitment to developing strong, homegrown leadership. His resume includes some of the region’s most high-profile and technically complex projects, such as Great Wolf Lodge Naples; Ritz-Carlton Residences in Naples; Moorings Park Senior Living in Naples; Tampa General Hospital Urgent Care in Babcock Ranch; and Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort.

One of Nobrega’s most critical current roles is overseeing the $1.1 billion Terminal E expansion at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers. As the largest municipal construction project in Lee County history, the expansion includes a new Concourse E with 14 gates (expandable to 19), a modernized terminal with improved ticketing and baggage claim areas, and a new TSA checkpoint to enhance efficiency. The expansion is designed to meet the region’s rising air travel demands following a record-setting 11 million passengers in 2024. Under Nobrega’s leadership, the project remains on schedule.

A lifelong Southwest Florida resident, Nobrega was born, raised and educated in the region. He graduated from Estero High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Construction Management from Florida International University. Dedicated to giving back to his community, he serves as an adjunct faculty member in the STOCK Development Department of Construction Management at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), where he mentors the next generation of construction leaders.

“Rod understands construction from the ground up and exemplifies Suffolk’s standards of hard work, integrity and teamwork,” said Pete Tuffo, President of Suffolk’s Gulf Coast Region and National Gaming. “He’s a respected leader in both the industry and the community. His operational insight and unwavering commitment to excellence will be invaluable as we continue to expand across Southwest Florida.”

Since joining Suffolk in 2016 as a Project Manager, Nobrega has advanced through every major project role, gaining deep insight into all aspects of project delivery. He has also played a key role in delivering over $50 million in more than 40 American Health Care Association (AHCA) projects statewide.

Away from the jobsite, Nobrega actively supports Suffolk’s community impact initiatives, including partnerships with Home Base Florida, Golisano Children’s Hospital and The Immokalee Foundation.

This announcement comes as Suffolk continues to strengthen its Florida operations with key personnel moves, including elevating Ben Wilson to General Manager of Southwest Florida and hiring Cary Shippert as Vice President of Healthcare. These leadership updates reinforce Suffolk’s commitment to strong, locally connected teams and promoting talent from within.

Suffolk is dedicated to recruiting, developing and advancing top talent while redefining how America builds through its unique approach leveraging data, technology, AI and robotics to deliver smarter, more efficient projects.