The latest People in the News highlighting new hires, promotions, honors & recognition of the men and women in the St. Louis building community.
JLL expands brokerage team
JLL today announced Christopher Taff and Stephen Lordo have joined the commercial real estate brokerage firm’s St. Louis office.
Taff is a vice president with JLL specializing in industrial real estate brokerage representing buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants of manufacturing facilities, warehouses, distribution centers, and industrial investments. Previously with Hilliker Corporation, Taff has sold and leased more than 600,000 square feet in the St. Louis market since 2017.
Lordo has joined JLL as an associate with the firm’s office brokerage division after having worked for Cushman & Wakefield. JLL St. Louis is comprised of approximately 150 employees among its brokerage, property management, and project development services divisions.
JLL (NYSE: JLL) is a leading professional services firm that specializes in real estate and investment management. For further information, visit jll.com.
Tarlton Promotes Doerr to Executive Vice President
Tarlton Corp., a St. Louis-based general contracting and construction management firm, promoted industry veteran and Tarlton career employee John Doerr, P.E., to executive vice president.
Doerr has worked for Tarlton for 36 years, having served since 2002 as senior vice president. In his expanded executive leadership role, in addition to overseeing work acquisition and estimating efforts, Doerr is directing Tarlton’s self-performed and heavy industrial project management.
A Registered Professional Engineer in the state of Missouri, Doerr has more than 20 years of experience in estimating and has been a member of the American Society for Health Care Engineering since 2008. He has served as Tarlton project executive on dozens of projects for clients including BJC HealthCare, Washington University in St. Louis, The Muny, St. Louis Community College and others.
Doerr served as chairman of the Building Division for the Associated General Contractors of Missouri in 2017 and has been an active member of the AGC since 1984. He is chairman of the Saint Louis Art Museum Corporate Partnership Program and a member of the Signature Healthcare Foundation Board of Directors. Doerr also served on the Cor Jesu Academy Principal’s Council.
After graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering, Doerr began his career at Tarlton as a project estimator. Four years later he was promoted to manager of estimating, serving in that capacity for six years before becoming a project director in 1994 and a vice president in 1999.
Daniel Morro, Former U.S. Department of Homeland Security Official, Joins Ross & Baruzzini As A Principal Security Advisor
Ross & Baruzzini, a global technology consulting and engineering firm, has augmented its roster of security experts with the addition of Daniel Morro as a principal security advisor. Morro brings more than 25 years of local, national and international law enforcement and security expertise and will provide strategic leadership for the firm’s security practice.
Morro brings notable expertise in international security issues with a focus on transnational criminal investigations related to border threats and security as well as counter-terrorism. He has delivered briefings to the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate.
Before joining Ross & Baruzzini, Morro was a senior member of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Investigations Division operating in Europe, West Africa, and more recently, Chicago, Ill. He created and directed federal and joint-international task forces that targeted international drug trafficking and money laundering organizations. Prior to the inception of DHS, Morro was a special agent and task force officer with the U.S. Customs Service.
Morro holds a Juris doctorate from Chicago-Kent School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University. With diverse markets and a growing team of more than 400 professionals, Ross & Baruzzini offers highly specialized consulting and engineering services to clients around the globe. As an international leader in the security industry, Ross & Baruzzini’s services encompass the full spectrum of planning, design and construction, from initial assessment to tailored solutions that fortify security environments.
Founded in St. Louis in 1953, Ross & Baruzzini (http://www.rossbar.com) is an international engineering consulting and design firm continually ranked among the top companies in the nation. It provides advanced solutions in the transportation, healthcare, government, higher education and mission-critical sectors.
Danielle Bateman Girondo Named Executive Vice President of Marketing at Midwest BankCentre
Bateman Girondohas been named executive vice president of marketing at Midwest BankCentre. She was previously senior director of marketing and advertising at Save-A-Lot food stores. She reports to Chief Executive Officer Orvin Kimbrough.
Girondo leads the marketing strategy and execution for the bank, including omni-channel marketing and advertising, consumer insights and analytics, brand management, internal communications and public relations. She brings 20-plus years of combined marketing and finance experience to her role.
Girondo has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Washington University in St. Louis and a master’s degree in business administration from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She is on the Leadership Board for Wharton’s St. Louis Alumni Association and is a former board member of the Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). She was named to the 2016 edition of “Who’s Who In Marketing at Leading Retailers” and was named a Top Women in Grocery by Progressive Grocer in 2017.
September 13, 2019
Erica O’Connor Joins Geotechnology as Human Resources Manager
Geotechnology, Inc., is pleased to announce hiring Erica O’Connor to serve as our corporate Human Resources (HR) Manager. She is based in the firm’s St. Louis headquarters.
In this role, Ms. O’Connor will direct and coordinate all HR functions, including talent acquisition, compensation, benefits, training and development, safety, and employee relations, for Geotechnology’s ten offices. She will also be responsible for compliance with federal, state and local requirements.
Ms. O’Connor has more than 15 years of human resources experience, having served in HR Management and HR administration roles. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and is currently pursuing her Master of Arts in Human Resource Management through Lindenwood University.
Established more than 35 years ago, Geotechnology, Inc. is a professional corporation offering a comprehensive range of consulting services in applied earth and environmental sciences, including geophysics, underground consulting services, geotechnical and environmental engineering, materials testing and drilling. Geotechnology has provided expertise on thousands of major construction projects in the Midwest and Mid-South regions, and is ranked in ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms. The company is based in St. Louis, Missouri, and has offices in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas. For more information, visit www.geotechnology.com
Nation’s 103rd Largest Home Lender, Employee-Owned USA Mortgage, Promotes Two Senior Executives to New Leadership Roles
Fast-growing, employee-owned USA Mortgage (USA),the #1 home lender in Missouri and the 103rd largest home lender in the United States, has promoted two senior executives to new key leadership roles. Announcing the management succession was Doug Schukar, who formed USA Mortgage as an operating subsidiary of holding company DAS Acquisition Company, LLC., in 2001.
The moves are topped by Schukar, 55, handing off his duties as president of USA Mortgage to Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Linda Pring, a fixture at the home loan originator since 2001. Pring will retain her COO responsibilities for the time being while USA engages in a national search for a COO.
“Linda Pring has been with me from Day One,” stated Schukar. “Words can’t describe the scope and significance of her contributions. She is a unique talent who inspires Nth degree professionalism from co-workers.”
Moving up to Executive Vice President of USA is Ron Mueller, 42, currently Senior Vice President (SVP). Mueller joined the firm in 2001 as a loan officer. He became a branch manager in 2006, a post he held until his promotion to SVP in 2018.
As chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of DAS Acquisition, Schukar plans to devote more time to the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) adopted in 2017 when he transferred sole ownership of USA Mortgage to its employees. “As CEO of the holding company, a primary focus will be on growing the ESOP platform, a core component of our culture and legacy,” Schukar said. “I also anticipate working to surface new growth opportunities be they organic or achieved by merger or acquisition.”
The succession announcement comes on the heels of a successful 2018 in which USA Mortgage generated loan volume of more than $1.74 billion from 9,858 closings.
September 6, 2019
Chris Lozano Named President of Halcyon Shades
St. Louis Marine combat veteran, attorney and businessman Chris Lozano has been named president of Halcyon Shades, headquartered in University City. Lozano is using his diverse business and military operational background to revitalize the Halcyon brand of shading products. Lozano’s focus is to upgrade Halcyon’s manufacturing technology and operations to expand their product lines and sales, with an emphasis on sustainable products.
“Window shades are no longer just an aesthetic, now they are an integral of a building’s overall energy profile,” says Lozano. “Halcyon specializes in providing high tech shading materials and automated control systems that can significantly reduce energy costs. Controlling the light and heat entering a building is paramount to every business and homeowner now – and we’ve found a way to deliver with attractive energy-efficient shading systems that allow natural light into the space.”
Under Lozano’s leadership, Halcyon is exploring partnerships with local manufacturing companies to create new products. Lozano is also working with community partners, such as MADE St. Louis, to help in the creation of new manufacturing jobs in the St. Louis. Many Halcyon products contribute to the LEED point system developed by the US Green Building Council.
Lozano has a law degree from Washington University and undergrad from St. Louis University. He is a Marine and was called back to active duty after the September 11 attacks, where he served in combat operations in both Kuwait and Afghanistan. He was awarded the Bronze Star. Lozano has also worked in leadership positions in several IT companies, prior to joining Halcyon Shades. Lozano resides in St. Louis, and he and his wife have seven children. His passions are supporting the causes of military veterans and building jobs for the middle-class.
Sam Golterman Joins G&S Acoustics as Project Assistant
St. Louis-based G&S Architectural Products has hired Sam Golterman as a Project Assistant. Sam’s responsibilities will include managing customer orders, creating shop drawings, issuing purchase orders and releasing orders to the company’s production shop.
Sam Golterman has sales experience across several industries, including marketing and insurance. Before joining G&S Architectural Products, Sam worked as an Inside Marketing Consultant with Dex Media in the Greater Denver Area. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing from the University of Kansas.
Sam hopes to have a positive impact by “aiding customers, contractors and architects throughout their sound solution process to ensure that every job is done with accuracy and professionalism.”
In his free time, Sam enjoys golf, tennis and other outdoor activities, as well as spending time with family and friends. Sam is the son of Ned Golterman and is the fourth generation of the family to work in the business.
G&S Architectural Products is a leading provider and installer of architectural products such as acoustical products, visual display boards and operable wall systems that are primarily used for commercial, education and healthcare industries.
Matt Costello Promoted To Project Manager
Mike Deihl, Director of Operations at Holland Construction Services (Holland), is pleased to announce the promotion of Matt Costello to Project Manager.
“Matt’s can-do attitude, sense of urgency, and ability to get things done the right way are keys to his success,” said Deihl. “He is more than deserving of this promotion as this has been a long time coming.”
Costello joined Holland in 2014 as a Project Engineer. He has worked on several notable projects including a new 300,600 square-foot, $34.5 million luxury apartment complex, Alinea at Town & Country, an addition and renovation project of the Behavioral Health Unit at Touchette Regional Hospital, a new nursing training facility at Missouri Baptist University and most recently a $28 million senior living facility in Westerville, Ohio.
Costello graduated with a degree in Construction Management from Missouri State University. He has also received the Health Care Construction Certificate from the American Society for Healthcare Engineering.
Holland Construction Services is a full-service construction management, general contracting, and design/build firm based in Swansea, Ill., guided by the principle of providing clients the best possible building experience on every project. For more information, visit Holland’s website atwww.hollandcs.com.
August 16, 2019
Allison Huggett Joins Geotechnology as Marketing Assistant
Geotechnology, Inc., is pleased to announce hiring Allison (Allie) Huggett to serve as Marketing Assistant. She is based in the firm’s St. Louis office.
Ms. Huggett’s responsibilities include assisting with the many tasks of the Marketing Department including preparing client submissions, project summaries, descriptions of speciality services, and professional resumes, for all ten Geotechnology offices, while upholding the company’s brand standards.
Before joining Geotechnology, Ms. Huggett served in a marketing position with an architectural design company and as an account representative with a marketing company. She earned her bachelor’s degree in international business with a focus in marketing from the University of Missouri, Robert J. Trulaske College of Business.
“We welcome Allie to our department and our company,” said Geotechnology Marketing Manager, Kelly Townsend. “Her skills and experience are valuable assets in helping us to better serve our clients and to grow our business.”
Established more than 35 years ago, Geotechnology, Inc. is a professional corporation offering a comprehensive range of consulting services in applied earth and environmental sciences, including geophysics, underground consulting services, geotechnical and environmental engineering, materials testing and drilling. For more information, visit www.geotechnology.com
St. Louis CNR Magazine Welcomes Brandy Scheer
St. Louis Construction News and Review Magazine welcomes Brandy Scheer as the publication’s newest team member.
Bringing 25-plus years of local industry marketing, sales and networking experience to the table, Scheer will work as St. Louis CNR’s marketing director and sales associate.
In her new position, Scheer will assist the St. Louis construction community in connect with one another and with St. Louis CNR’s readers.
Having previously worked with numerous local engineering and architectural firms and having worked as an editor and contributor to several local industry publications, Scheer understands key relationships that exist between readers, advertisers and community organizations. She embodies the professionalism, mission and values of St. Louis CNR.
Tyler Westerfeld joins Wiegmann Associates as Project Engineer
Tyler Westerfeld of St. Charles, MO has joined Wiegmann Associates as a project engineer. Westerfeld is responsible for designing and engineering the heating, cooling and ventilation systems for various Wiegmann Associates projects. His tasks also include load calculation, sizing and selection of equipment, coordinating with other trades, creating permit drawings and providing construction support.
Westerfeld has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Missouri University of Science & Technology. He has also earned Engineer in Training (EIT) certification. Prior to being hired as a full-time employee, Westerfeld held two summer internships at Wiegmann Associates, where he gained experience in the HVAC industry and supported full-time project engineers.
Wiegmann Associates is a St. Louis-based mechanical contractor and a national leader in design/build HVAC projects. Since 1995, Wiegmann Associates has engineered and installed innovative, energy saving and cost-efficient HVAC solutions, refrigeration systems and automation controls for clients in a wide range of industries. For more information, visit www.wiegmannassoc.com or call (636) 940-1056.
Murphy Hires Coats; Promotes Kniesche
Jim Coats has been named an HVAC/refrigeration project manager at Murphy Company. Bob Eichelberger, manager of refrigeration for the area’s largest mechanical contracting and engineering firm, made the announcement. Coats has nearly 25 years’ experience in the HVAC industry, most recently as president of his own consulting and manufacturers’ representative firm, Coapico Technologies, Inc. since 2011. Prior to that he was a senior application engineer in the refrigeration industry, primarily serving Canadian food service clients. From 2005 to 2011 he served as a senior product engineer, providing industrial coils and hygienic air units throughout the country. He began his career in Mt. Vernon, IL where he served as a resident engineer and sales professional for design build HVAC business in a five-state region. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois and is currently working towards an MBA at Webster University.
Nicholas (Nick) M. Kniesche has been promoted to project manager, commercial, for Murphy Company, a leading mechanical contracting and engineering firm. The announcement was made by Conrad Philipp, vice-president,commercial. A 2017 graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia, Kniesche initially joined Murphy as a project management intern during the summers of 2015 and 2016. After graduation he was hired full-time as an engineer, commercial. While at Mizzou Kniesche was 2015-17 president of Mizzou’s Mechanical Contractors Association of America student chapter, which is sponsored by MCA-EMO. During his tenure the student chapter captured First Place in the Final Four Competition at the MCAA National Convention in San Diego in March 2017. That same year the UMC student chapter also was named MCAA Student Chapter of the Year from among a total of 52 student chapters nationwide. He also is OSHA-10 certified. While studying at UMC, he also was executive treasurer of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) student chapter for which he also served as a mentor for architectural studies. He also was a member and sub chairman of the marketing committee for Pi Sigma Epsilon, a professional business fraternity. Additionally, he was a member, executive secretary and member of the judicial board and finance committee, and Homecoming build chair for Alpha Tau Omega. An active community volunteer, he volunteered for Sacred Heart Church, Caring for Columbia, and the Thompson Center for Autism.
Founded in 1907, Murphy Company is one of the nation’s top mechanical contracting and engineering firms delivering innovative solutions to the commercial, industrial and institutional markets. For more information, visit www.murphynet.com.
Spellman Brady & Company Expands Design Team
Laura Kreher, IIDA, LEED Green Associate
Spellman Brady & Company, an award-winning interior design firm, is pleased to announce that Laura Kreher has joined the firm as a Designer. In this role, her creativity will support the team with design, furniture specification, space planning and renderings within the healthcare, senior living and higher education market sectors.
Ms. Kreher is a recent graduate of Maryville University where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design. While attending Maryville University, she served as an intern with Spellman Brady and studied abroad at the Santa Reparata International School of Art in Florence, Italy.
Spellman Brady & Company is an award-winning St. Louis–based interior design firm specializing in senior living, healthcare, and higher education environments. For more information about Spellman Brady & Company, please visit www.spellmanbrady.com.
August 10, 2019
McCarthy Holdings Announces New CEO
After a deliberate, multi-year succession process, McCarthy Holdings, Inc., one of America’s premier building companies, announced today the selection of Raymond J. Sedey, 42, as the firm’s next chief executive officer. On Jan. 1, 2020, Sedey will assume this position, currently held by Michael D. Bolen, who will continue in the role as chairman of the McCarthy board of directors.
“Today’s announcement concludes a comprehensive, deliberate and thoughtful evaluation and selection process. Ray Sedey is an experienced leader grown from within McCarthy. He brings a deep understanding of our company strategy and unique ownership culture, together with a strong commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for clients. I am pleased to have Ray succeed me in the CEO position.”
Sedey began with McCarthy in 2000 as a project engineer in the firm’s Southwest Region. He then moved through several core operations roles including superintendent, project manager and director, before being promoted to vice president, operations for the Las Vegas office in 2009. In 2012, Sedey was promoted to executive vice president responsible for leading business operations in Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado. In this role, he was instrumental in helping position McCarthy as a builder of choice in infrastructure, aviation, commercial, healthcare and entertainment projects, including successfully positioning the firm as a builder of choice for complex projects on the Las Vegas Strip.
In 2015, Sedey was selected to lead the McCarthy Texas Region as regional president. Under his leadership, McCarthy strengthened its position across the state of Texas with a focus on client results, safety, financial performance and talent management. In 2018, Sedey then led efforts to combine operations of the McCarthy Southeast Division and Texas Region to form a new Southern Region and assumed the position as Southern regional president.
Sedey is expected to maintain an office in Dallas as well as in the McCarthy Corporate Headquarters in St. Louis.
McCarthy Holdings, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country – with more than 150 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com or by following the company on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
Alan Bergfeld Joins Holland Construction Services As Director of Business Development
Mike Marchal, President of Holland Construction Services (Holland), is pleased to announce that Alan Bergfeld has joined the Holland team as Director of Business Development.
Alan comes to Holland with over 10 years of experience, most recently with a national design-build firm where he was responsible for a multi‐state region ranging from Missouri to Wyoming to Texas.
“Between the fantastic reputation and bright future of Holland, I’m extremely excited and honored to join the team,” Bergfeld said. “Their supportive and collaborative culture is a great place to have a successful career.”
Marchal added that “Alan brings a reputation for identifying and delivering clients’ objectives and his personality is the right fit for our culture. As part of Holland’s strategic initiative to expand our growth and presence in our local market, he will be an additional resource in cultivating relationships and identifying new opportunities.”
Alan was born and raised in St. Louis and a graduate of Truman State University. He currently resides in Des Peres, Missouri with his wife and two children.
Holland Construction Services is a full‐service construction management, general contracting, and design/build firm based in Swansea, Ill., guided by the principle of providing clients the best possible building experience on every project. For more information, visit Holland’s website at www.hollandcs.com.
Douglas McElvain has joined Rosemann & Associates, P.C.
Douglas McElvain has joined Rosemann & Associates, P.C. St. Louis as project manager, bringing more than18 years of architectural expertise to his new role. His depth of experience and passion for design will be instrumental to Rosemann’s success as it continues to grow. Doug holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.