Contact:
Mike Ferlazzo
570-577-3212
570-238-6266 (c)
mike.ferlazzo@bucknell.edu
LEWISBURG, Pa. (August 11, 2026) – When civil engineering major Dominic Viozzi ’27 first met Italo Merante ’18, he wasn’t looking for an internship. He was looking for an opportunity to learn.
The two connected through the Contractors Association of Western Pennsylvania Student Estimating Competition, where Merante, an estimator and project manager with A. Merante Contracting Inc., helped coach Bucknell University’s College of Engineering team. The annual competition gives students hands-on experience with real-world construction estimating by challenging them to bid projects using actual plans, specifications and industry practices.
The experience sparked Viozzi’s interest in the construction side of civil engineering — and he recognized the value of the connection he had made. After the competition ended, he stayed in touch with Merante, reaching out to ask if he could visit Pittsburgh over winter break to learn more about his work. Merante welcomed him, and that first visit led to several more.
During one trip to Pittsburgh, Merante surprised Viozzi with an unexpected offer. “We were sitting at lunch, and he said, ‘Dom, I’ve been really impressed with you. I like the drive you have to learn and your passion for the industry. I put together an offer for you to come out to Pittsburgh and intern with me next summer.'”
This summer, Viozzi, who is from Hershey, Pa., put his classroom knowledge into practice at A. Merante Contracting, where he gained experience in both office and field operations. He has tracked materials, communicated with vendors and subcontractors, assisted with project accounting, visited job sites to help monitor quality control, and gained an understanding of what it takes to move a construction project from planning to execution.
Beyond the technical skills, Viozzi says the mentorship has been the most valuable part of the experience.
“The support I’ve had here with Italo is unmatched,” he says. “His commitment to helping young people learn and grow in the industry has really stood out to me. Having someone willing to invest that much time in helping me develop as a young construction professional has been incredibly valuable.”
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Photo by Jeff Swensen