The expertise to deliver results. The process to make them extraordinary.

The Skender Approach

It should be smooth and simple. It should be efficiently managed to meet time and cost goals. But most importantly, it should be an exciting collaboration.

Our team of more than 300 industry experts has been delivering on these promises for more than 60 years—combining invaluable experience with a commitment to industry advancements. Through our Lean approach, comprehensive project management and innovative spirit, we have what it takes to establish true partnerships with our clients. Across every level of our company, we know what it means to roll up our sleeves and get things done.

That focus on people and experiences is what makes us different—and makes the work we deliver exceptional. Learn more about our capabilities.

Interiors
Healthcare
Multifamily
Office
Hospitality
Life Sciences
Higher Education
Affordable Housing
Senior Living
Municipal
Mission Critical
K-12 Education
Retail
Sports & Recreation

At Skender, we have the experience and collaborative spirit necessary to create extraordinary results in any industry. We understand the nuances of each market and bring the same streamlined process to every project we undertake.

Leadership Team

Justin Brown

President and CEO

Justin Brown

President and CEO

Since joining Skender in 2005, Justin has led companywide strategic growth initiatives, helping to expand market sector expertise and annual revenues, as well as working across all business functions to create sustainable value for the firm and its clients. He serves as an active member of The Economic Club of Chicago, Young Presidents’ Organization, HFS Chicago Scholars, and the Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards Committee, benefitting the Greater Chicago Food Depository. Justin holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and building construction management from Purdue University. [LinkedIn]

Jerry Ball

Chief Operating Officer

Jerry Ball

Chief Operating Officer

Since joining Skender in 2003, Jerry has been a key member of the company’s executive leadership team, directing financial, risk management, administrative and operational initiatives. In his role as Chief Operating Officer, Jerry is focused on cultivating a people-first, “one-Skender” mindset, providing employees with training, mentorship and coaching, building client relationships, enabling cross-market synergies and providing everyone in the company with the tools and resources for optimal performance.. [LinkedIn]

Stacy Laughlin

Chief Financial Officer

Stacy Laughlin

Chief Financial Officer

Since joining Skender in 2012, Stacy has built a cohesive finance and accounting team, helped to introduce and integrate forward-looking financial technology such as Procore and Power BI, enhanced the budgeting process and advanced the company’s financing capabilities. In her role as Chief Financial Officer, Stacy is responsible for overseeing the financial and technology teams and providing strategic leadership to establish long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies, while also managing the preparation of financial statements, audits and tax reports. [LinkedIn]

Lisa Latronico

Chief People Officer

Lisa Latronico

Chief People Officer

Lisa plays an instrumental role in driving the company’s employee-focused culture. Since joining the firm in 2001, she has pioneered a number of acclaimed employee enrichment and talent acquisition programs, leading to the firm’s repeated recognition as a “Best Place to Work.” She leads Skender’s People and Culture team, helping to cultivate the next generation of unrivaled talent, world-class learning initiatives, and employee engagement strategies. Lisa earned a Bachelor of Arts in interdisciplinary studies from Governors State University and a certificate from DePaul University in human resource management. [LinkedIn]

Dan Marijan

Senior Vice President

Dan Marijan

Senior Vice President

The construction industry recognizes Dan as a veteran superintendent who has managed some of the largest and most complex projects in Chicago. Dan joined Skender in 2006 and has played an instrumental role in building collaborative teams, igniting a spirit of camaraderie on our jobsites. He has managed projects for Motorola Mobility, Nokia, Sidley Austin LLP, CVS Caremark, UBS, and other esteemed clients. [LinkedIn]

Ashlee Pforr

Project Executive

Ashlee Pforr

Project Executive

Since joining Skender in 2010, Ashlee has overseen numerous construction teams on significant projects, including HERE Technologies, Cars.com, SRAM, Echo Global Logistics and Bank of America at 110 N. Wacker. She earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from Iowa State University. [LinkedIn]

Dan Ulbricht

Vice President

Dan Ulbricht

Vice President

Since joining Skender in 2017, Dan has helped the firm develop new industry partnerships and expand new and existing markets. He brings 20 years of construction and real estate industry experience. Working as a trusted advisor, Dan has a talent for understanding clients’ perspectives and translating their real estate needs into construction solutions. Dan is co-chair of the Chicago Advisory Board for Little Kids Rock and former president of the CoreNet Chicago Chapter. In 2014, he was named to Building Design+Construction‘s “40 Under 40” class. He graduated from Northern Illinois University with a degree in marketing. [LinkedIn]

Jamie Nieves

Vice President

Jamie Nieves

Vice President

Jamie is a seasoned economic and business development professional and works in Skender’s Indianapolis office. She earned degrees in marketing and finance from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana. Skender began work in Indiana in early 2020 and has been involved in the construction of significant healthcare, retail and office projects totaling over 1 million square feet throughout the state. [LinkedIn]

Ryan Cotter

Preconstruction Executive

Ryan Cotter

Preconstruction Executive

Since joining the firm in 2016, Ryan has proven himself to be a true collaborator with Skender’s developers, architects, engineers, consultants and trade partners, and has helped to create a comprehensive vision for the firm’s preconstruction services. In his new role as Preconstruction Executive, Ryan will be further expanding the preconstruction team and enhancing the firm’s estimating and preconstruction services, as well as leading client relations to strategize the estimating of projects company wide.

Clay Edwards

Senior Vice President

Clay Edwards

Senior Vice President

Clay joined Skender in 2006 and has 20+ years of experience in the construction industry. He is the leader of the firm’s Self Perform and Construction Technology group. The group optimizes value, safety, production and quality for Skender clients through offerings such as general labor, demolition, carpentry, BIM, 3D laser scanning and high-definition surveying, intelligent project tracking, drone mapping and immersive reality.  With extensive interior construction expertise, Clay also provides executive-level counsel and client services for tenants and end-users. As an industry thought leader, Clay is frequently cited in commercial real estate news media outlets and is often a featured speaker and writer on related trends. He holds a Bachelor of Science in construction engineering from Purdue University. [LinkedIn]

Joy Perryman

Director of Risk Management

Joy Perryman

Director of Risk Management

Joy started with Skender in 2015 and was soon promoted to manage the risk management department, working closely with operations to identify ways to mitigate risks in daily procedures. Joy is known for her detail-oriented work evaluating and administering insurance programs for all Skender’s business lines, working closely with the executive team to negotiate contracts and promote Enterprise Risk Management throughout the organization. She is a certified Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS), Certified Risk Manager (CRM) and member of the Risk and Insurance Management Society.  She earned her master’s degree in integrated marketing from Roosevelt University and a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies from Northern Illinois University. [LinkedIn]

Afshan Barshan

Senior Vice President

Afshan Barshan

Senior Vice President

As an executive and strategic leader of Skender, Afshan leverages his 25 years of construction experience to oversee business operations and collaborate on strategic planning. A founding member of the Lean Construction Institute Chicago Community of Practice, Afshan is a frequent speaker and writer on the subject, and also played an integral role in developing Skender’s Lean project delivery. Afshan serves as president for the Zoroastrian Association of Greater Chicago and holds a Master of Science in construction management from Michigan State University. [LinkedIn]

Clint Siebert

Director of Technology

Clint Siebert

Director of Technology

Clint manages and directs the company’s IT and construction technology operations, ensuring the department provides efficient and effective technical support service across all verticals and corporate teams. He helps position Skender as a solutions-driven firm to stay in front of security matters, create a scalable infrastructure, and provide innovative connectivity and access to all Skender jobsites and offices.

Lauren Torres

Project Executive

Lauren Torres

Project Executive

Lauren joined Skender in 2013 and has been part of the teams that built Motorola Mobility, 1871, Google, Sprout Social, LinkedIn, PepsiCo, AbelsonTaylor, Mondelez and many more. She earned a degree in computer graphic technology from Purdue University. [LinkedIn]

Brian Simons

Senior Vice President

Brian Simons

Senior Vice President

Brian joined Skender in 2007 and has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He played an integral role in the development and delivery of Skender’s Lean-focused initiatives for clients. Since 2020, he has led Skender’s Indianapolis office, focusing on delivering the best value for clients. Brian earned a degree in construction management and engineering from Purdue University. [LinkedIn]

Dan Torres

Safety Director

Dan Torres

Safety Director

Dan Torres has 25 years of experience in the field. As Safety Director, he is in charge of analyzing and administering various components of the environmental, health and safety programs. Dan reviews site-specific safety plans with project managers and subcontractors to assure compliance and performs weekly jobsite inspections. Dan also works with project teams to develop plans that utilize the most efficient construction techniques in order to guarantee quality and efficiency. He holds multiple certifications, including the Construction Site Supervisor Certification from Purdue University, the Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certification, and the Safety Trained Supervisor Construction (STSC) certification. [LinkedIn]

Patrick Sullivan

Director of Field Operations

Patrick Sullivan

Director of Field Operations

Since joining Skender in 2015, Patrick has been an invaluable resource in managing field activities and operations for crucial client projects, including recent large-scale buildouts for Salesforce Chicago and Bank of America. Patrick helps oversee field operations, guiding projects and teams to safe, timely, on-budget completions. [LinkedIn]

Tim Rogers

Project Executive

Tim Rogers

Project Executive

Tim has led numerous construction teams on award-winning buildouts, including Capital One, Morningstar, Mead Johnson and more. He oversees multiple teams and earned his degree in building construction management from Purdue University.

Brian Bukowski

Senior Vice President

Brian Bukowski

Senior Vice President

Brian joined Skender in 2007 and has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. He co-leads the Interiors group, focusing on driving financial success, efficient operations and the team’s vision. Across a wide variety of client experiences in Illinois, and nationally, Brian’s focus is always client satisfaction and continuous improvement. He earned his degree in building construction management from Purdue University. [LinkedIn]

Brian Kane

Vice President

Brian Kane

Vice President

Brian joined Skender in 2008 and has 15 years of industry experience leading specialized healthcare and lab sciences construction teams on various hospital, outpatient and laboratory projects. He earned an engineering degree from the University of Illinois. [LinkedIn]

Kate Calenberg

Director of Learning and Development

Kate Calenberg

Director of Learning and Development

Kate joined the Skender team in 2004 and, after a decade in project management, jumped into learning and development, carefully cultivating the new hire onboarding process. Kate is responsible for the effective development, direction and presentation of training and development programs for all operational employees. [LinkedIn]

Jeff Reist

Project Executive

Jeff Reist

Project Executive

Jeff joined Skender in 2015 and has more than 16 years of construction experience, including multifamily, adaptive reuse, historic restoration, hospitality and other commercial projects. He earned a degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois. [LinkedIn]

John Estes

Director of Field Operations

John Estes

Director of Field Operations

John has more than twenty years in the construction industry. Since joining Skender in 2011, he has helped deliver a wide variety of healthcare projects for Northwestern Medicine. As Director of Field Operations, John oversees field operations and tracks project progression to ensure a timely, on-budget completion. [LinkedIn]

Andy Halik

Senior Vice President

Andy Halik

Senior Vice President

Andy joined Skender in 2011 and has over 18 years of experience in the construction industry. He co-leads the Interiors group, focusing on market strategy, client service and motivating the team toward continued growth. Andy is known for nurturing client relationships, his keen business intelligence, and the ability to work in partnership with his peers. He earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. [LinkedIn]

Courtney Boatwright

Creative Director

Courtney Boatwright

Creative Director

Courtney joined Skender in 2011 and oversees all creative production aspects of Skender’s brand, marketing campaigns and initiatives. Courtney embodies Skender’s core values through her internal interactions and her external deliverables, and her branding and design talents have long influenced and guided Skender’s marketing initiatives. [LinkedIn]

 

Alex Panici

Vice President

Alex Panici

Vice President

Alex joined Skender in 2016 and has 15+ years of industry experience. He leads teams on new commercial construction projects and is responsible for overall quality, strategy and client experience. Alex earned a degree in construction management from Illinois State University. [LinkedIn]

Joe Pecoraro

Project Executive 

Joe Pecoraro

Project Executive 

Joe is a leading adopter of Lean construction techniques and has helped shape Skender’s Lean-focused culture since joining the company in 2005. Joe oversees Skender’s multi-unit housing team, and his expertise has helped deliver a wide range of successful multi-family residential, affordable housing and senior living projects. He earned a master’s degree in project management from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. [LinkedIn]

Brian Ribordy

Director of Field Operations

Brian Ribordy

Director of Field Operations

Brian brings more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry. Since joining Skender in 2011, he has overseen numerous new construction and renovation projects. Some of his projects include Southland Village, North Shore Place, Greenbrier of Prospect Heights and Woodlawn Station. Brian earned his degree in construction management from Illinois State University.

Lynn DeMeulemeester

Director of Workplace Culture

Lynn DeMeulemeester

Director of Workplace Culture

Lynn joined Skender in 2006 and has been paramount in perpetuating Skender’s culture since then. As director of workplace culture, Lynn provides oversight for all activities related to the physical office operations and workplace culture, including the management of reception, concierge and special projects, such as office design and our HQ relocation in 2017. [LinkedIn]

Todd Andrlik

Senior Vice President, Marketing

Todd Andrlik

Senior Vice President, Marketing

Todd joined Skender in 2017, helping the firm develop and deliver new marketing strategies. He brings more than 20 years of marketing communications experience, including more than 15 years in the construction industry. Todd and his team often partner with Skender clients to enhance the promotions of their new buildings and spaces. In addition to marketing, Todd is an award-winning, bestselling author and editor of American history books and serves on the editorial board of Illinois Real Estate Journal. He received his MBA from Roosevelt University and an undergraduate degree in PR from Illinois State University. [LinkedIn]

Industry Rankings

14

Top Workplace/Interior Fitout Firms in the U.S.

29

Top Office Construction Firms in the U.S.

68

Top Multifamily Construction Firms in the U.S.

48

Top Healthcare Construction Firms in the U.S.

28

Top Midwest Contractors

90

Top U.S. Building Contractors Overall

Recognition and Honors

Skender is a market leader and strong supporter of the local community. We’re proud to be the recipient of a number of prestigious honors, and strive to continue our high-caliber work for all those we serve.

  • Most Innovative Companies in the World, 2019
    – Fast Company
  • 101 Best & Brightest Companies to Work For – Chicago, 12 years in a row since 2008
    – National Association for Business Resources
  • Best Places to Work in Illinois, 10 years in a row since 2009
    – Daily Herald Business Ledger
  • Best Places to Work in Chicago, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2013
    – Crain’s Chicago Business
  • Giants 300 Largest U.S. Building Contractors (Top 100)
    – Building Design+Construction
  • ENR 400 Largest U.S. Contractors
    – Engineering News-Record
  • Fast 50 Company, 2011, 2009, 2007
    – Crain’s Chicago Business
  • General Contractor of the Year (Office), 2023, 2022
    – REjournals
  • Science Project of the Year, 2023
    – REjournals (Hazel Technologies)
  • Preservation Excellence Award, 2022
    – Landmarks Illinois (Maywood Supportive Living)
  • Interior Contractor of the Year Winner, 2022, 2018, 2016, 2015
    – Greater Chicago Food Depository CRE Awards
  • Special Achievement of the Year, 2013
    – Greater Chicago Food Depository CRE Awards (1871 Chicago)
  • Interior Build-out of the Year Award Winner, 2022, 2016
    – Chicago Building Congress
  • ENR Midwest Best Project of the Year, 2014
    – Engineering News-Record (Motorola Mobility HQ)
  • 10 years in a row, voted Top Illinois Contractor
    – 
    Midwest Construction
  • Contractor of the Year, The Coalition for United Community Action, 2008
    – ORTC, Inc.
  • Top Interior Contractor
    – Midwest Construction
  • Redevelopment of the Year Finalist, 2022
    – Greater Chicago Food Depository CRE Awards (1100 W Fulton)
  • Charity 3×3 Basketball Tournament Champion, 2022
    – Bisnow
  • Interior Project of the Year, 2022
    – Chicago Building Congress (Walgreens Tech Center)
  • Family Business of the Year, 2005
    – Loyola University
  • Community Service Award
    – Loyola University
  • Safety Award, 2022, 2018, 2017 and 2016
    – Great Lakes Construction Association
  • Fleet Safety Award, 2014
    – Raffles Insurance
  • Gold Safety Award, 2017 and 2014
    – Raffles Insurance
  • Safety Award, 2013
    – Lake County Contractors Association
  • Largest Privately-Held Firm
    – Crain’s Chicago Business
  • Build-to-Suit of the Year Finalist, 2020
    – Greater Chicago Food Depository CRE Awards (Esperanza Health Center)
  • Large Project of the Year, 2023
    – CoreNet REAL Awards (Salesforce)

Skender is more than a company, it’s a community. Doing good and giving back matters to us.

We proudly deliver exceptional work and do it with the utmost care for our teammates, partners, clients, neighborhoods and the environment. Meaningful change and positive impact have always been key to the Skender way. We recognize our responsibility and strive to build a legacy of integrity, make lasting contributions and forge valued relationships.

Learn more about our four pillars of social responsibility.