Skender Construction Announces a New Generation of Leadership and Partners

Skender Construction, a general contractor headquartered in downtown Chicago, announced today that it has promoted a number of executives to new levels of leadership. This change will allow the company to build an exciting corporate culture unparalleled in the construction industry and poise itself for continued growth.

Joseph Skender, currently president of Skender Construction, has been named chairman and will lead the company’s newly-established Board of Directors. As a leader who has served as president for 35 years, his continuous focus on the future aided in transforming a company that was once known only for building multi-family housing developments. Today, the company builds in the healthcare, corporate interiors, senior housing, multi-unit housing, retail, commercial and technology market sectors.

“Over the years strategic planning has guided our growth, but the people who make up Skender Construction are really the guiding force behind our success. They reinforce that building a company and any construction project begins and ends with building strong relationships,” said Skender.

Executive Vice Presidents Mark Skender and Justin Brown will provide the next level of leadership. Mark Skender joined the company in 1989 and has been instrumental in innovating the company’s operational processes. He will take over as Chief Executive Officer. Brown joined the company in 2005 and played a key role in expanding the firm’s market sector expertise. Brown has been named president and partner. Chief Financial Officer Jerry Ball has also been named partner.

Three project executives have also been promoted to vice president and partner. Afshan Barshan, Andrew MacGregor and Clayton Edwards have all played a long-term role in the company’s success.

“Our world is constantly changing, and we recognize that in order to stay at the forefront, we must continually listen and create a structure that focuses on agility, fosters opportunity and maximizes value for our clients,” said (Mark) Skender.

JOSEPH SKENDER

FROM PRESIDENT TO CHAIRMAN OF SKENDER CONSTRUCTION’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joseph Skender is Chairman of Skender Construction. Under his direction, the company has become one of the largest general contractors in the country, achieving revenues of over $250 million. Joseph is the driving force behind establishing Skender Construction’s entrepreneurial culture, setting a long-term vision and ensuring stable growth through strategic market diversification. He is an avid supporter of charitable and community organizations, including SOS Children’s Villages. In 2012, he took his passion for philanthropy one step further and established Skender Foundation, a private foundation that supports numerous education and wellness causes throughout Chicago. He is a member of the DePaul University Driehaus College of Business Advisory Council, the Executives’ Club of Chicago, and the Economic Club of Chicago. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from DePaul University.

MARK SKENDER

FROM EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Mark Skender joined the company in 1989 and managed operations and business development of the company’s housing, healthcare and institutional market sectors. As Executive Vice President and Partner, Mark played a key role in establishing the firm’s culture, strategic direction and innovating operational best practices. Mark is a founding member of the Lean Construction Institute Chicago Community of Practice.

JUSTIN BROWN

FROM EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT TO PRESIDENT AND PARTNER

Justin Brown joined the company in 2005. Under his direction, the company diversified and expanded market sector expertise. His progressive leadership has played an essential role in developing the company’s culture of long-term relationships, partnership and loyalty.

JERRY BALL

FROM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER TO CFO AND PARTNER

Jerry Ball joined Skender Construction in 2003. As Chief Financial Officer, he manages the successful growth of the company and ensures that Skender’s financial stability is sound. He has served in the United States Army and is a member of the Construction Financial Management Association.

AFSHAN BARSHAN

FROM PROJECT EXECUTIVE TO VICE PRESIDENT AND PARTNER

Afshan Barshan joined Skender Construction in 2005. With nearly 20 years’ experience, Barshan has overseen projects in the healthcare, senior housing and multi-unit housing market sectors. He is widely recognized as one of Chicago’s experts in Lean Project Delivery, and was a founding member of the Lean Construction Institute Chicago Community of Practice. Barshan has managed projects for Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Sunrise Senior Living and the University of Chicago. He holds a Master of Science in Construction Management from Michigan State University.

ANDREW MACGREGOR

FROM PROJECT EXECUTIVE TO VICE PRESIDENT AND PARTNER

Since joining the company in 2006, Andrew MacGregor has managed large-scale, complex interior tenant improvement and ground-up commercial projects throughout Chicago and on the West Coast. Over the years he has built a reputation for being an upfront collaborator, helping owners and architects work through undefined project scopes. MacGregor has overseen the construction of Motorola Mobility’s new Chicago headquarters. He also managed the construction of Chicago’s high-profile tech incubator, 1871.

CLAYTON EDWARDS

FROM PROJECT EXECUTIVE TO VICE PRESIDENT AND PARTNER

Clayton Edwards joined Skender Construction in 2006, and has managed millions of square feet of interior tenant improvement projects throughout Chicago. A client-centric and results-oriented leader, Edwards is adept in developing comprehensive pre-construction plans to achieve clients’ specialized project goals. He has managed countless projects in the corporate, non-profit and high tech-market sectors, among others. Some of Edwards’ notable projects include United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, Fresenius Kabi, Nokia and ACCO Brands’ corporate headquarters. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Purdue University.