Banneker Ventures LLC

Mr. Karim has served as President of Banneker since its founding in 2005. Banneker has grown from a boutique real estate development firm to a diversified, full-service real estate and construction firm specializing in facilities and construction management with federal, state and local clients.

Since its founding, Mr. Karim has been responsible for Banneker winning more than $30MM in contracts and overseeing the construction of more than $200MM in public and private projects.  Prior to founding Banneker, Mr. Karim served as General Counsel for a Washington, D.C. based development company.  Before that, he served as a Corporate Associate with a large New York law firm.

Mr. Karim received a Juris Doctor degree from Howard University where he was a member of The Howard Law Journal and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, also from Howard, where he became the first undergraduate student to serve two terms on the University’s Board of Trustees.

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EDUCATION

Howard University, Juris Doctor degree

Howard University, B.S. Mechanical Engineering

AFFILIATIONS

National Leadership Council

Architecture Institute of America

National Society of Black Engineers

Young Presidents' Organization

Mr. Abdul-Ali is the Company’s Estimator where he is responsible for developing budgets for all of Banneker’s bids.

In this role, he has been responsible for the Company winning in excess of $25 million in construction projects. Prior to joining Banneker, Mr. Abdul-Ali worked as an estimator with other construction companies in the region including Corenic Construction, FEI Construction and NCF Interiors. Mr. Abdul-Ali earned a B.S. in Construction Management from North Carolina A&T State University.

As a member Banneker’s senior management team, Mrs. Moses is responsible for leading and managing over 20 staff and $40 million in contracts within the Company’s General Contracting, Construction Management and Facilities Divisions.

Mrs. Moses is an experienced senior construction professional with 20 years of base building, interiors and retail construction experience, with a strong track record of consistent and successful project execution and delivering multiple projects concurrently where projects have exceeded $110 million.  Prior to joining Banneker, she worked with various leading real estate and construction firms, including Lowe Enterprises Real Estate Group as Assistant Vice President, Hoffman Company as Senior Construction Manager, Jones Lang LaSalle as Senior Project Manager, and Turner Construction as Project Manager.

EDUCATION

North Carolina A&T University, B.S. Architectural Engineering

Mr. Turpin is Banneker’s Project Executive.  He will leverage his 21 years in project management, estimating, purchasing and field experience to enhance the skills of our organization.  The Project Executive is instrumental in developing strategies and programs that cultivate individual career plans, aligning them with our organizational goals.  Aaron’s knowledge and skills in the area of construction, engineering and architecture supports our mission of providing superb customer service and retaining the best project management talent.

Aaron joins Banneker from Heery International where he spent the last 14 years as a Senior Associate and Project Manager working out of the Regional Office in Washington, DC.  Throughout his career, he managed construction projects with contract values as low as $4M and up to $1B and functioned in various roles during his employment.  Additionally, his past work experience includes other well-respected firms in the construction industry, like Turner Construction Company and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.

Mr. Turpin is a Howard University graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture degree, a professional program that is accredited by the National Architecture Accreditation Board.  He is also a Certified Construction Manager.

Mr. Cuff has served as a Project Manager for Banneker since 2012.  Since joining the Company, he has been instrumental in in the complete construction project life-cycle from - responding to solicitations through closing out projects and everything in between.  He has managed projects for Banneker ranging from $40K to $5MM.  Bradshaw has also served as a Construction Manager on several projects ensuring that project goals were met and stakeholders were satisfied.  He brings years of construction experience, industry standard practices, and mentorship to the firm.  Mr. Cuff has experience in both the private and government sector; and his projects include offices, schools, law firms, data centers, healthcare facilities, libraries, historical renovations, LEED projects, customer service centers, retail, and others. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University.

As a member of the senior management team, Mrs. Irby serves as an adviser helping with the strategic vision of the Company, including fostering and cultivating financial relationships on local, state, and national levels. She manages and coordinates all fiscal reporting activities for the Company and is the primary point of contact for banks, equity partners and lenders on development projects.  Mrs. Irby also manages project costs for all contracts and is responsible for developing the Company’s financial forecasts, monthly and annual budgets, cash flows, and financial reports, and providing ongoing support for outside auditors.

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Mrs. Irby has 20 years of experience in finance and accounting that includes design and construction, as well as commercial and multi-family residential property management.  In her career, her most notable project management accomplishment included the transition of a $2.8 billion portfolio acquisition, including reorganization of the finance and accounting department and staff development.  Prior to joining Banneker, she served as Director of Real Estate Accounting for Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners where she was responsible for the execution of the overall accounting function of real estate accounting at the company.  Before that, she served in roles at some of Washington, DC’s most prominent real estate organizations, including Kettler, Tishman Speyer, Hines and CarrAmerica. 

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EDUCATION

Howard University, B.B.A. in Marketing and Accounting

University of Maryland, M.B.A.

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Mrs. Bell is Senior Project Manager where she is responsible for leading a Special Projects Division that supports NOAA, USPS, GSA and other federal agencies in the Washington, D.C. region.

In this role, she has been responsible for winning more than $20 million in work. She has led the expansion of Banneker's vertical transportation work which now includes the active modernization of nearly 30 elevators across the region. She is a hard-working, technical leader who translates business strategies, goals, objectives, missions and visions into results and improved processes. She is independently driven to develop strategic initiatives utilizing prior experience, research and current knowledge that best fits the customers, shareholders, employees, and communities. Mrs. Bell received a M.S. degree in Operations Management and B.A. degree in Industrial Technology from The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Mr. Kolb is a Senior Project Manager with over 30 years in the industry, providing active solutions for risk management through planning, leading and controlling the resources and activities of projects.

He is responsible for leading Banneker's civil construction projects, including new roadways, retaining walls, underground utilities, parking lots and other construction projects.  Mr. Kolb has a proven track record of accomplishments in managing field operations, overall management and successful completion of multi-million dollar, heavy highway, site development, mass excavation, utility systems, civil, coffer dams, pilings, storm water management facilities, drainage piping, bridges, foundations and buildings. In addition, his experience includes, multiple state DOT projects covering all phases from bid preparation to project management. Mr. Kolb received his B.S. in Accounting from Salisbury State University.

Ms. Allen is responsible for overseeing all phases of a construction project which include controlling costs, managing the financial aspects of each project, scheduling, negotiations and contractual provisions from pre-bid to warranty.

She also has experience in space planning and construction management, working as an Owner’s Representative. Ms. Allen has more than 17 years of Project Management and Construction Management experience on various types of construction projects including office buildings, data centers, schools, arenas, utility plants, historical renovations and laboratories (Vivarium, BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories). She has managed projects ranging up to $190MM in contract value. Ms. Allen is a member of Professional Women in Construction (PWC) and Construction Management Association of America (CMAA).  Lisa received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Tennessee State University in Electrical Engineering.

AFFILIATIONS

Professional Women in Construction

Construction Management Association of America

Mr. Wyche is responsible for successfully delivering projects for Banneker while coaching and mentoring staff.

Since joining Banneker, he has led the completion of nearly $10 million in federal construction projects and is Banneker's lead on the $400 million TSA Headquarters Building Construction Project.  He has 20 years of experience including cost estimating, quality assurance, construction inspection, project management, program and space planning/coordination and facilities management. Prior to joining Banneker, Mr. Wyche served as Project Manager and Senior Project Manager with Heery International. He holds a Dual B.S. in Civil and Architectural Engineering degrees from Drexel University, is a LEED Accredited Professional BD+C, certified Construction Manager and is active in several professional organizations.

AFFILIATIONS

LEED Accredited Professional, BD+C

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Society of Minority Engeineers and Scientists

National SOciety of Black Chemists and Scientists

American Society of Civil Engineers

Ms. Romney serves as Vice President of Operations of the Company.  In this role, she is responsible for leading and managing all Company operations.  She also serves as a strategic advisor to the President.  Shay-La oversees human resources and recruitment, leads the Company’s capture management efforts, and maximizes the Company’s growth and profitability.  

Since joining Banneker, she has helped it expand into the federal government marketplace, winning more than $30MM in contracts and $200MM in contract vehicles.  

Ms. Romney received a Master of Education degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.S. degree in Psychology from Howard University. She is fluent in Spanish having lived in several countries around the world.

As a Project Manager with Banneker, Mrs. Dorsey is responsible for leading federal government construction projects from bidding to close-out.

In this role, she has overseen the construction of millions of dollars of construction projects for various federal government agencies.  Prior to joining Banneker, Mrs. Dorsey worked in the architecture field for over 10 years. She received a B.Arch degree from Tuskegee University.

As a Development Associate, Ms. Williams is responsible for ensuring quality and timely execution of Banneker’s real estate development projects from start to completion.

Ms. Williams is responsible for land use coordination, financing support, project scheduling, partner communication, preparing and negotiating contracts with sub-contractors, construction oversight, and project closeout.  Ms. Williams has more than 20 years of experience as a Construction Project Manager managing residential, hospitality, commercial, and retail projects. With a portfolio reflecting strong experience leading project teams on complex projects, she has a wealth of experience, from lease negotiation through turnover. Ms. Williams received a M.S. in Real Estate degree from The Johns Hopkins University, certificate from Cornell University’s Real Estate Program, a M.P.S. in Sports Industry Management degree from Georgetown University, and a B.A. degree in Sociology and Afro-American Studies from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Mrs. Liser is the Company's Controller and is a member of the Senior Management Team.  In this role, she oversees all accounting and finance functions of Banneker, including - but not limited to - administration, support of operations business planning, accounting and budgeting, risk management and financial management of the enterprise. Additionally, she is responsible for preparing accurate financial statements of the Company.  Karen brings with her over 20 years of progressive experience in accounting, management, leadership and operations.  Prior to joining Banneker, Mrs. Liser worked as the Senior Financial Executive in various industries including real estate development, property management, logistics, professional services and software development.

Mrs. Liser graduated from the University of Maryland University College. She has been a Certified Public Accountant for over 10 years and participates in various industry and professional organizations.

Mrs. Shojaei-Naimi serves as Banneker’s Senior?Accountant and Contract Manager. She is responsible for day to day accounting and financial transactions, as well as providing assistance to Banneker's Controller.

As Contract Manager for Banneker, Mrs. Shojaei-Naimi is responsible for pre-construction contract related procedures, budget tracking, proposal review, and overall contract management operations. She has over 10 years of experience in construction accounting, project management, and estimating for multi-million dollar general contracting firms. She drives process improvement in an effort to streamline project delivery and anticipated financial outcomes. She studied the following disciplines - accounting, project management, and engineering technician at The University of  University College, Knowledge Academy; and College of Southern . Mrs. Shojaei-Naimi is also bilingual – speaking Farsi and English.

Mrs. Capers has over 17 years of litigation and contracts experience. Since joining Banneker, Mrs. Capers has assisted in winning over $30 million in firm fixed price construction contracts plus an additional $550 million in IDIQ contracts.

She is responsible for leading corporate strategic and tactical legal initiatives and provides senior management with effective advice on Company strategies.  She further manages the legal functions of the Company while managing the work of all outside counsel. As Banneker’s proposal manager, Mrs. Capers is responsible for proactively seeking business and coordinating the entire proposal and bid process for the Company to include preparing technical proposals and submitting them to clients.

EDUCATION

Howard University, Juris Doctor degree

Howard University, B.S. Chemical Engineering

Ms. Hayward is the Company’s Human Resources Manager, where she is responsible for recruiting, employee engagement, learning and development (L&D), benefits and payroll administration.

Ms. Hayward brings over 18 years of operations experience streamlining processes and motivating others. She uses creative performance coaching strategies to help employees realize their world-class potential.

EDUCATION

SHRM - Certified Professional

PG County Community College - SHRM HRM Certificate

Davenport University, Associate degree in Accounting