Our Story
About VED Civil
Virginia Equipment & Development, Inc. — building Hampton Roads since 1989.
Who We Are
Hampton Roads'
Site Development Partner
Virginia Equipment & Development, Inc. (VED) is a full-service site development contractor serving the Hampton Roads area and Virginia Peninsula since 1989. Founded on the principle that quality, reliability, and strong relationships deliver better results, VED has grown into one of the region's most trusted civil contractors.
We maintain a large owned equipment fleet and experienced in-house crews, and we coordinate all aspects of site work under a single contract. This approach gives our clients a single accountable partner from initial clearing through final grading, with the flexibility to respond quickly to field conditions and owner needs.
With a maximum contract value of $25 million and experience across healthcare, commercial, residential, hospitality, and municipal markets, VED has the capacity and expertise to handle projects of any complexity across the region.
Leadership
The People Behind the Work
John Tatum
President · Virginia Equipment & Development, Inc.
John Tatum is a driven, results-oriented heavy civil construction executive with over 25 years of experience managing heavy highway, underground utility, and site development projects. He currently serves as President of Virginia Equipment and Development, and its parent company American Civil Corporation — bringing that same operational depth and leadership to bear across the organization's heavy civil construction portfolio.
John's career spans Director of Operations roles at Diversified Site Works and Terra Site Constructors, where he restructured field operations and increased production by 23%, and Director of Land Development positions managing portfolios exceeding $50M. Earlier, as Owner and Founder of JL Tatum Contracting Co., he built a company from $500 in startup capital to $32M in gross revenue — completing underground utility and heavy civil projects from Virginia to Texas for DOT, NAVFAC, and federal clients.
John holds a Master Project Management Certification from the American Academy of Project Management and a B.S. in Education from George Mason University. He is OSHA 30 certified, a Virginia Class A Licensed Contractor (Underground Utility & Excavation), and a Virginia Registered Land Disturber.
How We Work
Our Core Values
Turnkey Delivery
We maintain a large owned equipment fleet and experienced in-house crews. All site work is coordinated under a single contract — no coordination gaps, no surprises on your project.
Accountability
When you hire VED, you have a single point of contact from clearing through final grading. We stand behind every scope we perform.
Expertise
Over 35 years of site development experience in Hampton Roads. Our crews know the soils, the regulations, and the local conditions that affect every project.
Safety
Active safety programs including on-site audits and peer observation. A safe job site is a productive job site — and a reflection of how we do business.
Qualifications
Credentials & Certifications
State Licensed
Virginia · Fully Licensed Contractor
Fully Insured
Bonded & Insured · All Scopes
Bondable
Bonding Capacity Available · All Scopes
Safety Programs
On-Site Audits · Peer Observation
Turnkey Delivery
Own Fleet · Skilled Crews · Full Scope
Est. 1989
Hampton Roads & Virginia Peninsula
Ready to Work Together?
Contact us to discuss your project — we respond within one business day.
