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.