The 2024 Carolinas AGC HALL OF FAME LEGACY inductees are Fredrick Amzi Triplett and his two eldest sons Fred Triplett and Tom Triplett:
F.A. Triplett, Fred Triplett, and Tom Triplett are Hall of Fame Legacy Winners from United Infrastructure Group. Fredrick Amzi Triplett, known as F.A., was born in Chester, SC in 1889. In 1924, in partnership with R.H. Small, the Small-Triplett Construction Company began construction on its first bridge in Morristown, TN. His work later progressed into Alabama, Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas. In 1946, the partnership became F.A. Triplett, Inc., with F.A. as the sole owner.
F.A. was active in CAGC and passionate about contributing to the construction industry. The South Carolina Highway Commission referred to F.A. as a pioneer in bridge construction. He was known as a man of integrity with impeccable ethics who was held in high esteem by the highway industry, including his competitors, who he willingly helped when asked.
Mr. Fred Triplett, (son of F.A. Triplett) was born in 1927. Upon serving a year in the Army and graduating from Clemson College with a degree in Civil Engineering, Fred began his career in his father’s business. In 1952, he started the Inland Bridge Company, Inc. and built bridges in Georgia and the Carolinas.
In 1965, he and Jim Peek became co-owners of Triplett-Peek Inc., formerly F.A. Triplett, Inc. In 1970, Fred and his brother-in-law Bob Vaughan started Bridgebuilders Inc. as co-owners.
Fred was an innovator and inventor. He designed and built an overhead crane that was used on several of his bridge jobs in the 1950’s and 60’s. In 1976, he was honored as “Employer of the Year for South Carolina” by the Disabled American Veterans for his design and modification of a crane with hand controls to accommodate a disabled veteran and former crane operator. Fred was Chairman of the Bridge Division of the Carolinas AGC in 1981, member of the SCDOT/CAGC joint committee, and a member of the Board of Directors of South Carolinians for Better Transportation from 1982-1988.
Fred was active in civic affairs, as well serving on the Chester County School Board from 1967 to 1980, including a term as chairman in 1972. He was a member of the board of directors of Southern Bank and Trust, as well as the local board of directors of First Union National Bank. He was actively involved in his church, Purity Presbyterian, serving as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, deacon, and elder.
Mr. Tom Triplett (son of F.A. Triplett) was born in 1929 in Chester, SC. He graduated from Clemson College in 1951 with a Civil Engineering degree and formed Inland Bridge Company in 1952 with his brother Fred. In 1954, Tom went out on his own to become the sole owner of James T. Triplett, Inc.
Tom founded several companies including Shugart Mfg and Industrial Learning Corporation. He also co-founded L.R. Ryan Inc, A.E. Anderson Inc, and Ryan & Ryan, Inc. In 1978, he aligned several companies and key employees into United Contractors, which later became United Infrastructure Group.
In addition to his civic work and active political involvement, including running for U.S. Senate, Tom volunteered for many organizations including the South Carolina Traffic Safety Council and the National Research Council for the Construction Industry.
He diligently served on various CAGC committees and other transportation advocacy groups, as well as taught the Universal Enterprise System at George Washington University. Tom was an inventor with 30 domestic and foreign patents, including barges, cranes, trailers, screeds, and forms. He authored the book “Where to America?” to promote a better understanding of free enterprise principles and develop an appreciation for America’s freedom and opportunity,
Like his father, Tom was respected by his contemporaries for his contribution to the construction industry and local, state, and federal organizations. He is remembered by many as being an avid American patriot.
Jane Triplett (Fred Jr. Daughter), Margaret Lee Triplett (Fred Jr. Daughter), Elizabeth McCamy (Tom Triplett Daughter) and Jim Triplett (Tom Triplett Son) received these legacy awards along with the Triplett Family.
The 2024 Carolinas AGC HALL OF FAME inductee for United Infrastructure Group is James E. Triplett. Jim Triplett serves as CEO of United Infrastructure Group, a third-generation design-build organization started by his grandfather F. A. Triplett in 1924 and continued by his uncle Fred Triplett and father Tom Triplett. He began working for his father in 1974 at the young age of nine and then went on to receive his BSCE from Clemson University in 1986. Jim officially began his structural engineering career with Ralph Whitehead & Associates before returning to his father’s company in 1992.
Jim is active in the design and construction industry in the Southeast and routinely serves on various boards and committees for AGC, ARTBA, AASHTO/AGC/ARTBA National Joint Committee, and several other industry organizations. In regard to CAGC, Jim has served on the SCDOT/CAGC joint Committee since 2003, the South Carolina Bridge Committee for many years, and on both the CAGC Foundation Board of Trustees and the CAGC Board of Directors. He has even opened his own home to host CAGC member events. Outside of his professional work, Jim serves as a Deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill and in various other capacities with several community ministries.
Joined onstage with James Triplett are his son’s Rett Triplett and Daniel Triplett.
