Meet the Team: Civil & Construction Experts

Our Director, Jake Simmons, is a Gladstone local (born and bred) with 15+ years’ experience in construction.

After quickly rising through the ranks to Senior Supervisor, Jake was keen to build something of his own and launched Simmons Civil in 2018. Within the first year, he’d hired his first three employees, with the team doubling year-on-year to help keep up with demand.

Well known and respected in the industry, Jake is a trade qualified Low-Rise Builder, with various management and civil construction qualifications. His experience and training give him a unique understanding of and ability to navigate the construction industry.

With an unbeatable work ethic, Jake is directly involved in our major projects, as well as managing the overall business.

Outside of work, Jake is kept busy with his three young children — and enjoys a spot of fishing, when he can find the time!

As Simmons Civil’s Co-Founder and Co-Director with Jake, Renee Simmons brings a wealth of experience in Human Resources and Administration.

Together with her team, she ensures that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes, from talent sourcing and hiring, to scheduling, financial management, and business processes.

A master of multitasking (if ever there was one), when she’s not at work, Renee loves to explore the local beaches with her three young children.

Blair joined the Simmons Civil team in 2024 as Operations Manager, following four decades of industry experience. He holds a Certificate IV in Asset Maintenance, Associate Diploma in Electrical & Electronic Engineering, and an Electrical/Instrument Trade Certificate.

Prior to joining Simmons Civil, Blair held a number of roles, including Project Management and Ammonia Import Terminal Manager at Orica, and Veolia Operations Manager at Boyne Smelters. Some of his career highlights have included his involvement in installing both the concrete hardstand and groundwater treatment plant at Orica, and his operational management of 10 different disciplines for Veolia at Boyne Smelters, involving 100+ employees.

As Operations Manager at Simmons Civil, Blair manages labour and equipment, SH&E improvements and initiatives, cost control, planning, scheduling, estimating, and report writing.

When he’s not busy with work, you’ll likely find Blair exploring his various interests and hobbies. He is a Stud Brahman Breeder, a Marine Aquarist, and also enjoys sport fishing.

Sarah joined Simmons Civil in early 2024 and holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil Engineering) and a Cert IV in Workplace Health & Safety.

With more than two decades of industry experience, Sarah has worked across a wide range of projects, from small-scale contracts through to $100 million projects. Previous roles and projects include:

• Project Engineer (Harlow Civil): Delivering surface civil infrastructure projects within the mining environment, including backfilling disused mine shafts — some more than 100m deep.
• Project Manager (Sterling Infrastructure): Primarily focused on delivering culvert renewals located within the rail corridor, most of which were completed during 36-48 hour shutdown periods.
• Project Engineer (Vassallo Constructions): Completing safety improvements along Port Alma Road, including installing new underground electrical infrastructure, removing existing power poles, and widening pavements. This project was in response to a fatal truck accident that occurred along that road in the years prior.
• Contract Quality Representative (SGQ): Involved in a pavement widening project on the Bruce Highway near Tiaro.
• Project Engineer (Hall Contracting): Involved in the construction of new subdivisions on the Sunshine Coast.
• Project Engineer & Quality Coordinator (McCosker Contracting): Worked across various civil earthworks and concrete projects, including the GAWB Curtis Island Pipeline Installation, the QAL Red Mud Dam embankment construction, the BSL CBF4 Concrete Package, NDRRA Flood Remediation Works, QCLNG Traffic Management, and the Fairbairn Dam Concrete Package. Ensured teams followed all documented environmental, quality, and safety processes.

As a Project Engineer at Simmons Civil, Sarah works closely with our supervisors to ensure they have the information and resources they need to complete their works. She also stays in touch with clients and keeps them updated on the status of their project.

Known for her emphasis on delivering quality outcomes, Sarah brings her deep understanding of quality and technical requirements to every project. She ensures these requirements are implemented onsite and properly documented, according to the drawings and specifications.

Sarah is all about new experiences, making memories, and capturing each moment on camera. When she’s not at work, she loves spending time with her husband and three children, hiking, fishing, camping, at the park, or riding scooters— nothing beats going on adventures in the great outdoors!

John (Pappy) Pappagallo has more than two decades of experience in the industry, with qualifications as a chippy, formworker, and concreter.

Prior to joining Simmons, Pappy worked on various projects, including Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL), Wiggins Island Coal Export Terminal (WICET), APLNG Pipeline, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) at various CQ mine sites, Queensland Gas Company Ltd (QGC) LNG, and others.

As a Supervisor, Pappy liaises with the Simmons Civil team and our clients to deliver a quality product safely. This includes carrying out safety checks, organising materials and tools, and sharing his knowledge and experiences.

Despite being part of many major projects in the area, some of his proudest moments have been where he has identified potential risks or hazards that were missed — and had the courage to speak up and prevent injuries or accidents. And of course, he’s always pleased to see others displaying the same courage and commitment towards safety.

Outside of work, Pappy loves family time with his wife and three young children. Having built his own pub, he is never short on mates and loves to socialise over a drink. He enjoys fishing (despite being prone to seasickness!) and also loves to go camping.

Ray Edwards has been in the industry since 2015, and joined Simmons Civil in 2019 as a Leading Hand before being promoted to Supervisor in 2023.

Ray holds a Certificate 2 and 3 in Surface Extraction and Machine Operations, as well as an HR open truck licence, and high risk work licence (WP & LF). Prior to working for Simmons, he previously worked as Leading Hand on a Bund Remediation Project at RTAY for AESTEC Services.

In his Supervisor role at Simmons Civil, Ray looks after all the vehicle maintenance and scheduling, delivers team briefings, manages quoting and budgeting, reports on current works, schedules upcoming works, procures materials, encourages safe work practices, and more.

Some highlights from the last few years include completing the AN1/AN2 floor coating works, working on the AN Hardstand project, and completing the AN Bulk Store Weigh Bridge project. He’s also proud to have been part of Simmons Civil’s growth, having joined soon after the company was founded.

When he’s not busy with work, Ray enjoys heading outdoors, fishing and camping, and loves to spend time with his family.

Glen is a trade-qualified carpenter who joined the team at Simmons Civil in April 2024, bringing more than three decades of industry experience. Prior to joining Simmons, Glen worked as a site supervisor at Youngs Building Contractors in Gladstone.

Glen often meets with Simmons Civil clients to discuss any upcoming plans and progress. In addition, a typical day for Glen includes organising projects, setting tasks, planning works, and scheduling teams. As Supervisor, he’s also responsible for preparing material take offs, writing project site reports, and organising pre-start meetings.

Outside of work, you’ll find Glen and his family enjoying the great outdoors and all it has to offer, including reef fishing, four-wheel driving, camping, and crabbing.