Government Work

Government Contractor

We are a full-service general contractor providing cost-effective solutions and controls in support of nuclear, defense, energy, and hazardous waste industries for the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Energy (DOE), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and other federal, state, and local government entities.

Government Services Government Projects

Environmental Clean-Up + Management

Established in 1943, the Hanford reactors contributed to America’s defense program by producing plutonium for over four decades. The significant volumes of hazardous waste, a by-product of plutonium production, remain the focus of environmental cleanup for the past 30 years.

From 2018-2023, our involvement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS) in a Mentor-Protégé partnership marked our commitment to hazardous waste cleanup around Hanford.

Now equipped with the expertise, our organization has evolved into a formidable general contractor in Environmental Management (EM), offering cost-effective solutions for nuclear, defense, energy, and hazardous waste industries. We provide comprehensive construction support and services for federal, state, and local government entities.

We are dedicated to elevating the client experience.

Learn more about how we can assist with the building of important infrastructure and hazardous waste removal as part of universal environmental clean-up efforts.

Work With Us Government Capabilities

Team Members

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Zach Comstock

Quality Assurance Manager

Zach oversees the implementation and maintenance of Elite’s Nuclear Quality Assurance program, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards. He also leads project integration and process modernization for commercial and nuclear-graded initiatives. In addition, Zach assists with bids, proposals, and cost estimates for new projects, and coordinates inspections with municipal and state authorities to ensure ongoing compliance.

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Les Godfrey

Senior Project Manager

Les Godfrey is a Senior Project Manager at Elite Construction & Development, bringing over 14 years of experience across civil, structural, architectural, and MEP construction. Since joining Elite in 2024, Les—known for his steady leadership and technical expertise—has become the company’s lead for federal projects at Hanford, managing multiple high-complexity jobs with precision and consistency.

With a career spanning more than $3 billion in completed construction value, Les brings both depth and range to his role. His background includes mission-critical data centers, large-scale infrastructure, high-rise towers, and government facilities. His ability to coordinate across trades, manage stakeholder expectations, and maintain rigorous quality control has earned him a reputation as a results-driven leader who delivers under pressure.

A certified AWS Welding Inspector and ICC Special Inspector, Les possesses advanced knowledge of AWS, ASME, and AISC codes. His field-tested expertise in quality assurance, steel fabrication, and subcontractor oversight makes him exceptionally suited for the technical and regulated environments of federal work.

Known for his calm problem-solving approach and strong mentorship, Les leads with structure, strategy, and accountability. Whether coordinating with federal agencies or guiding field teams through demanding schedules, he exemplifies Elite’s commitment to building with precision, integrity, and excellence.

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Cwentin Clifton

Superintendent

Cwentin Clifton brings over 24 years of heavy civil construction experience to his role as Superintendent at Elite Construction & Development. Since joining the company in December 2024, Cwentin has quickly become a trusted field leader known for balancing safety, production, and quality with calm consistency. 

His career spans a wide range of earthwork and underground utility projects, with hands-on experience operating heavy machinery from compact excavators to 600-series mining shovels, D10 dozers, and scrapers. He’s worked for firms like Phillips & Jordan, Rummel Construction, and C&E Trenching, where he served as a working superintendent leading crews, managing equipment, and training operators. 

Cwentin is well-versed in Trimble GPS and has trained others on its use. He excels in coaching teams, maintaining schedules, and ensuring smooth jobsite operations. His certifications include CDL Class A with endorsements, MSHA, and Excavation Safety Competent Person. 

More than just a skilled operator, Cwentin is a steady leader who leads by example. He’s known for solving problems in the field, staying ahead of project needs, and fostering a culture of respect and performance. 

At Elite, Cwentin continues to make an impact with his depth of experience and commitment to excellence, helping projects stay on track and teams perform at their best. 

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John Marthini

Superintendent

John supervises field construction, planning, and scheduling to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to the specified quality standards, truly utilizing his 41 years of experience in the industrial construction space and operating heavy equipment. He leads, directs, and coordinates the work of subcontractors and Elite trade labor, ensuring compliance with all applicable OSHA standards and safety regulations.

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Kelley Kurban

Project Coordinator I

Kelley is a highly skilled and organized project management and administrative professional with over 30 years of experience. She works closely with the preconstruction and estimating teams to create precise project proposals, budgets, and schedules. Kelley plays a key role in evaluating project needs, preparing bids, and generating estimates. She carefully reviews project plans, specifications, and drawings to identify potential challenges and opportunities for value engineering. Additionally, Kelley manages subcontractor and vendor quotes, supports project managers with crucial documentation such as drafting contracts, submittals, RFIs, and change orders. She actively participates in project meetings, provides regular updates on progress, and contributes to ongoing improvement efforts. Kelley is dedicated to maintaining strict adherence to safety protocols and regulations on construction sites.

Kelley grew up in the suburbs of Boston, MA, before making her way west and settling in the Pacific Northwest in early 2020. She is a proud mother of five and a doting Nana to two young grandsons. In her free time, Kelley enjoys cooking and caring for her large family, a role she knows well, having come from a big family herself. Some of her favorite pastimes include watching football, sharing laughter with her sisters, and spoiling her grandbabies.

WRPS Mentor-Protégé Partnership

At the end of 2023, Elite was awarded a certificate for successful completion of the DOE Mentor-Protégé Program.

The relationship developed to include work on multiple projects, such as electrical upgrades to the Effluent Treatment Facility (ETF), construction of a 7.8-million-gallon basin at ETF’s Liquid Effluent Retention Facility (LERF), and construction of an evapotranspiration basin with an impermeable liner designed to capture stormwater runoff at the U Tank Farm.

“We appreciate WRPS for inviting us to take part in the DOE Mentor-Protégé partnership and providing us the opportunity to prove ourselves in the EM sector,” said Trini Garibay, Elite president and chief executive officer (CEO). “The knowledge gained in the past five years has transformed our organization into the best version of itself. We look forward to sustaining our role as a trusted partner.”

Accolades + Awards

WRPS Mentor-Protege

2018-2023

As a DBE and MBE, we worked alongside WRPS as part of their Mentor-Protégé program for five years. The DOE Mentor-Protégé Program is designed to encourage DOE prime contractors to assist small, disadvantaged businesses by enhancing their capabilities to perform contracts and subcontracts for DOE and other federal agencies. At the end of 2023, Elite was awarded a certificate for successful completion of the DOE Mentor-Protégé Program.

PMI Award for Project Excellence

2017

Levi Sherman, Aryn Kerr, Kyler Davenport and Phil Borsik were team members that participated in the construction and testing activities for the WRPS’ AP Farm Exhauster Upgrade Project which received this prestigious award.

Project of the Year

2017

The same team of Levi Sherman, Aryn Kerr, Kyler Davenport and Phil Borsik won the Project of the Year Award for the WRPS’ AP Farm Exhauster Upgrade Project awarded by the Mid-Columbia chapter of PMI.