Robert Bobby Elder

About Robert Bobby Elder

I\'m a third-generation builder in the water and wastewater construction industry—raised in it, trained in it, and committed to mastering it. The first tools my father and grandfather gave me were toy hammers and models of heavy equipment. Ever since, I’ve been hands-on with the real thing—learning the trade from the ground up and never looking back.I grew up in Ohio, where I spent my early years working at our family company, PAE & Associates, a contractor focused exclusively on water and wastewater treatment plant construction. I later worked with Corna Kokosing, gaining valuable experience in commercial and building construction. That early hands on exposure shaped my field-first mindset. Today, I live and work in Florida, where I’ve planted roots and am committed for the long haul—building critical infrastructure that keeps this fast-growing state moving forward.My career began at PAE, where I spent summers resurfacing concrete forms, receiving material shipments, and eventually working as an intern on a major wastewater project in the Bahamas. That design-build experience taught me early the importance of aligning engineering, field input, and constructability. It’s been a guiding principle ever since.I’ve since worked across Ohio and Florida with firms like Corna Kokosing, Cardinal Contractors, Kiewit, and now TLC Diversified—taking on progressively larger and more complex infrastructure projects. Along the way, I’ve built deep experience in structural concrete, self-perform planning, utility system installation, and plant startup and commissioning. I’ve worked in estimating and project management, with a focus on delivering technically sound, field-ready solutions.Today, I manage multimillion-dollar water and wastewater infrastructure projects as a Project Manager for TLC Diversified. My recent work includes: An $11M reclaimed water pump station in Manatee County, featuring deep excavation, microtunneling, and large-diameter pipeline installations. A $42M seawater reverse osmosis plant in Stock Island (Key West), built from the ground up—including wells, filtration, RO treatment, electrical systems, and full plant commissioning. The facility was officially opened by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 5, 2025, and is now delivering potable water to the Florida Keys.What keeps me going is simple: the real-world impact of what we build. Clean water is a foundation for life, growth, and public health. I take pride in leading projects that serve entire communities—projects that will still be standing long after the last punch list is closed.

Experience

1. Project Manager

   Tlc Diversified, Inc

   Dec 2019 — Present · Palmetto, FL, US

   As Project Manager at TLC Diversified, I’ve delivered complex water infrastructure projects in some of Florida’s most technically and logistically demanding environments—leading work from preconstruction through startup.My first major assignment was an $11 million reclaimed water pump station for Manatee County, my home community. The project featured a 40-foot-deep cast-in-place structure within a sheeted excavation, supported by a tiered dewatering system. It tied into two reclaimed lakes—via feet of 36\" open-cut pipeline and a 600-foot microtunneled 36\" steel pipe that required a fully submerged underwater recovery of the tunneling machine. Coordinating these scopes safely and successfully in my own backyard was a meaningful milestone.I then lead the $42 million Stock Island RO Plant (SIRO) project in Key West, FL. Built on the footprint of the nation’s oldest seawater desalination plant, this project involved constructing a new SF process building and installing all major systems to create a fully functional water plant from the ground up. Scope included groundwater wells, pretreatment filtration, reverse osmosis system, chemical feed systems, degasifiers, full electrical & instrumentation systems (switchgear, VFDs, SCADA, instrumentation), and a tie-in to FKAA’s existing ground storage tank. I relocated to the Florida Keys for over two years to manage critical phases of construction and commissioning.On May 5, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis visited to announce the facility’s grand opening. It has been operational since, providing potable water to the Florida Keys community and its many visitors.I’m passionate about the water and wastewater industry because it directly protects public health, supports growth, and builds resilient communities. Few things are more rewarding than delivering infrastructure people rely on every day—whether they see it or not. That sense of purpose is what drives me forward, project after project.

Education

• The Ohio State University

  Bachelor's degree, Construction Management

  2011 — 2015