Frank Gerlach Retires After 29 Year Legacy

Early Life

The oldest of three brothers, Frank’s life journey has always been defined by dedication, discipline, and a deep commitment to the people around him. That path began with service in the U.S. Army, where Frank served as both a paratrooper and a medic—roles that set the tone for a lifetime of calm leadership under pressure. Alongside his military service, Frank pursued physical training and bodybuilding, earning numerous competition wins while simultaneously building his career in the masonry trade as a skilled journeyman and foreman.

Ultimately, Frank chose WPC as the place where he could make a lasting impact in construction.

Laying the Groundwork at WPC

Frank’s story with WPC began in the summer of 1997 while working for a masonry contractor in Jacksonville, Florida. He approached us with a desire to transition into general contracting. Within a few short months, Frank began a career change that would not only transform his own life, but also profoundly influence the many people and projects he would touch over the next 28 years.

Starting as an Assistant Superintendent, Frank quickly distinguished himself through his work ethic, technical skill, and steady leadership. In just over a year, he was running his own projects. While those early projects were smaller in scope, it did not take long before Frank was entrusted with some of WPC’s most complex work. High-rise buildings, demanding schedules, and projects that needed to be stabilized became his specialty.

Time and again, Frank was the superintendent we relied on to step into challenging situations and turn projects around. Calm under pressure and decisive in action, he became known as WPC’s “firefighter”—the person you called when a project needed steady leadership, clear direction, and results.

Trusted to Lead

That success led to expanded responsibilities as a General Superintendent, where Frank made a lasting impact on company policies and procedures, mentored future leaders, influenced hiring decisions, and provided oversight across multiple projects. For 28 years, through both good times and difficult ones, Frank’s consistency, integrity, and leadership set a standard that continues to shape WPC today.

Closing This Chapter

As Frank begins the next chapter of his life, he does so with the respect and admiration of everyone who has worked alongside him. In retirement, Frank will have more time to possibly enjoy one of his favorite personal pursuits—cultivating bonsai trees—an endeavor that perfectly reflects the patience, care, and attention to detail he brought to his career.