Alumni Lead Construction Project at Knowledge Park

Two York College of Pennsylvania graduates played an integral role in the creation of the College’s hub for partnerships with the business community.

At the intersection of Kings Mill Road and South Penn Street in York stands a structure that is fast becoming a hub where history, hands-on education, and community development converge: York College of Pennsylvania’s Knowledge Park.

Housed in a three-story warehouse previously owned by Schmidt & Ault Paper Co., Knowledge Park integrates York’s vibrant commercial landscape with various York College degree programs. The state-of-the-art facility provides rental space for businesses, organizations, and other industry partners to participate in innovative collaborations with the College.

Knowledge Park, funded in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, includes classroom spaces and commercial venues, with a focus on blending in-class learning with practical experiences through community partnerships.

Even the construction of the project, which was overseen by Warfel Construction starting in May 2022, has created an experiential learning environment for students. It was led by two York College alumni: Brett Calabretta, PE, Master of Business Administration ’04, and Dustyn Ritchey, Engineering Management ’15.

A family tradition

For Calabretta, Principal and Vice President at Warfel Construction, stepping into leadership at the company began with a desire to bridge the gap between technical expertise and business acumen. A Civil Engineering graduate of Penn State University, Calabretta hoped to one day lead a construction company. He recognized early on in his career the importance of understanding not only the intricacies of construction but the dynamics of operating a successful enterprise.

This drive led him to pursue an MBA at York College, a decision influenced by familial ties and a deep-rooted connection to the community. His father and identical twin also earned their MBAs at York College.

“I chose to pursue my MBA because it would give me the opportunity to contribute to the business in a different way,” said Calabretta.  “The program gave me new perspective on the everyday challenges of an organization and how to navigate them in a leadership role.”

Looking to lead

Similarly, Ritchey, who served as project manager on Knowledge Park construction, knew as a teenager that he wanted to be involved in the construction trade but desired opportunities for leadership and program management. He opted for a degree in Engineering Management. Between high school and college, he took two years off from school to work in construction.

That early exposure to the trade laid the groundwork for his career aspirations. During an undergraduate Engineering co-op, Ritchey spent time at another engineering and design firm with ambitions of pursuing graduate-level studies in Civil Engineering. It just so happened this same firm is one mutually shared between Calabretta and Ritchey, although at separate times in their respective careers, and that the two of them share many local connections to their upbringing in York. In 2019, he joined Warfel and found the opportunity to collaborate directly with Calabretta.  

When Warfel won the bid to complete construction at Knowledge Park, Ritchey jumped in as project manager, overseeing the budget and project safety and acting as the point person between the clients and the internal team.

“I’ve been involved from the beginning, operating as a project manager, but we’re a team of teams,” Ritchey says. “I’m one cog in the wheel of the overall project.”

“While I have been involved since the beginning as the project manager, there have been so many team members that have played a role in the overall success of this exciting project,” explains Ritchey. “I am grateful for the chance to contribute to a building that will serve as a pillar in the community.”

Creating hands-on opportunities

Ritchey navigated the complexities of preserving parts of the historical structure while creating modern workspaces and overcoming unforeseen hurdles, such as lead paint issues. Every time he surmounted one challenge, a slew of others would arise.

“When approaching a structure that is over 100 years old, challenges are expected,” said Ritchey. “At Warfel, we embrace the opportunity to understand the issues and provide thoughtful, productive solutions with the balance of the project stakeholders.”

Working hand-in-hand with the College, Ritchey, Calabretta, and their team addressed each challenge to create the historical-meets-modern spaces at Knowledge Park. They also helped to provide unique opportunities for students to be involved in the process. In 2023, Warfel brought on Brett DeWees ’24, a Civil Engineering major, as a field engineer intern on the project. Warfel also hosted multiple project tours for Civil Engineering students where they saw the construction in progress.

Clients for life

Now that portions of the Knowledge Park are open for business, Calabretta and Ritchey have continued working with York College to activate the space, leading tours and sharing background about the building with prospective business tenants.

“The mission of York College aligns closely to many areas of focus for Warfel,” said Calabretta.  “We are excited for future collaboration and educational opportunities with Engineering students. I am proud to be part of the creation of an environment where future engineers and construction professionals can apply classroom learning to the real world.”

Calabretta also shares his expertise as a mentor to a York College Graham School of Business student. Through it all, he hopes to pave the way for more collaborations with the College and demonstrate what Warfel means by its mission statement of gaining “Clients for Life.”

“This project illustrates the great success that can be had through a partnership built on trust and mutual respect,” he says.