Built on a legacy of construction leadership

Tony Newell serves as Chief Executive Officer of Hammer Construction Corporation, one of Florida’s oldest and most respected general contracting firms, and as Principal of its commercial affiliate, Hammer Commercial Construction where he leads the company’s strategic direction, growth, and long-term development. A graduate of the University of Florida, Tony joined the company full-time in 2009 and assumed his current role in 2019, continuing the family legacy established by his father, Norman I. Newell Jr., who founded the firm in 1966.

Under his leadership, Hammer has expanded its institutional and public-sector portfolio, maintained its status as an approved University of Miami contractor, and launched Hammer Commercial Construction as a dedicated platform for large-scale multifamily and affordable housing development. Tony has overseen a diverse range of projects, including historic courthouse restorations, multi-county public facility programs, and university campus work, demonstrating a strong track record in government-funded construction, complex project coordination, and relationship-driven delivery.

In addition to his leadership within the company, Tony brings broader experience advising on municipal governance, development partnerships, and public-private project structures. His ability to navigate multi-stakeholder environments positions him to lead complex developments requiring coordination between public agencies, private partners, and community stakeholders.

Vince Lago serves as Principal of Hammer Construction Corporation and Hammer Commercial Construction, bringing extensive experience in multifamily, mixed-use, institutional, and commercial construction throughout South Florida. He offers a unique perspective at the intersection of development, public-sector engagement, and large-scale project delivery.

He holds a Master’s degree in Construction Management from the School of Engineering at Florida International University and brings hundreds of millions of dollars in hands-on project experience across ground-up multifamily developments, affordable housing communities, luxury residential towers, and complex mixed-use projects.

Prior to joining Hammer, Vince held a leadership role at BDI Construction, where he managed a substantial portfolio of multifamily developments across South Florida. His experience spans the full project lifecycle, from preconstruction through completion, across a range of asset types and financing structures.

Vince’s public-sector experience is equally significant. He has overseen numerous projects for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, navigating the regulatory, scheduling, and stakeholder complexities inherent to government-funded construction. This combination of private-sector execution and public-sector accountability positions him as a key leader in advancing Hammer Commercial Construction’s focus on affordable housing and public-private development.

As a Principal, Vince brings strong relationships, deep market knowledge, and a disciplined approach to project delivery, ensuring that projects are executed on time, on budget, and in full compliance with the requirements of government-backed programs.

Paola Newell serves as Chief Operating Officer of Hammer Construction Corporation and Principal of Hammer Commercial Construction where she directs all aspects of the firm’s operations, including preconstruction efforts, project execution, and financial management. With over a decade of leadership within the organization and a lifelong exposure to the construction industry, Paola brings a comprehensive command of the full project lifecycle—from preconstruction and contracting through procurement, permitting, and delivery.

She studied Business Administration at Florida International University, complementing her operational expertise with a strong foundation in business management and financial oversight. Throughout her tenure, Paola has played a central role in shaping Hammer’s operational infrastructure and long-term growth, helping to position the firm as a leader in South Florida’s construction market.

Her experience spans the full breadth of Hammer’s portfolio, including Archdiocese of Miami campus projects, multi-county public facilities, university work, complex commercial developments, and high-end luxury residential construction. She has been instrumental in building the systems, vendor relationships, and client service standards that have sustained Hammer for decades, while successfully navigating the demands of complex, design-driven projects for sophisticated clients.

In her leadership role supporting Hammer Commercial Construction, Paola brings that same rigor and strategic oversight to affordable housing and government-funded projects. She ensures that all work is executed with strict adherence to compliance requirements, documentation standards, and owner expectations, reinforcing the firm’s reputation for reliability, accountability, and quality across highly regulated project environments.

Alan Chovel serves as Vice President of Operations for Hammer Construction Corporation and Hammer Commercial Construction, where he directs field operations and construction execution across the firm’s project portfolio. With more than two decades of experience, Alan brings deep expertise in luxury high-rise residential, institutional, commercial, and aviation infrastructure projects throughout South Florida and internationally.

A graduate of the University of Florida with a Master’s in Construction Management from Florida International University, Alan combines hands-on field leadership with the operational and project management expertise required to deliver complex, multi-stakeholder developments.

His experience includes leadership roles on high-profile projects such as the $100 million One Thousand Ocean ultra-luxury oceanfront condominium in Boca Raton and the $88 million Duo Condominiums in Hallandale Beach, a large-scale residential development comprising two 26-story towers and supporting structures. He has also overseen major interior build-outs, aviation infrastructure projects at Miami International Airport, and institutional work including the Florida International University Panther Stadium expansion.

Alan’s international experience includes serving as Vice President of Operations at SYMX Healthcare, where he managed large-scale medical infrastructure and equipment deployment projects, including a U.S. Export-Import Bank-financed hospital program in Ghana and specialized healthcare facility development in the Cayman Islands. These projects required full lifecycle coordination across design, procurement, logistics, and construction in complex global environments.

As Vice President of Operations, Alan oversees field operations, subcontractor management, scheduling, and construction execution across Hammer’s multifamily and commercial construction portfolio. His leadership ensures that projects are delivered with the discipline, coordination, and quality required for large-scale, schedule-driven developments, including affordable housing and other complex programs.