Locations
TriVersity Construction
Chief Executive Officer
Key Contacts
Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
James Watkins's Bio
Jim leads the firm’s day-to-day operations. He is responsible for setting measurable standards of performance for each business area and division and measuring performance against established goals. He has 28 years of construction operations experience including significant responsibilities in medium and large construction environments.
Jim Watkins serves as TriVersity’s president with more than 29 years experience leading all phases of construction management, general contracting, design build and real estate development.
Watkins has exceptional knowledge of project management and cost control. He is an expert in corporate construction operations and leading major construction organizations with a thorough knowledge of estimating, purchasing, accounting, cost engineering, self-performance trade work and field supervision. He also has expertise in LEED and Green initiatives.
Known for his interpersonal communication skills, Watkins develops and maintains effective relationships with all project stakeholders including owners, architects, subcontractors and civic leaders. He has a broad background in multiple market sectors including healthcare, aviation, retail and higher education.
Watkins is an organizational leader and corporate representative in both the public and private sector. He has been personally responsible for delivery of projects ranging from $500,000 to 85 million. Watkins is also TriVersity’s executive lead for teaming projects with past experience leading projects upwards of $120,000,000.
Prior to TriVersity, Watkins served in project management, purchasing and business development for Turner Construction. He had a business partnership with Detroit’s largest minority construction firm with work in both Detroit and Chicago. Watkins has a B.S. in construction management and engineering technology and an A.A.S. in architectural engineering from Purdue University as well as an A.A.S. in construction management from Triton College.
Watkins played a major role in several corporate construction management training programs and was a co-founding member and past board member of Michigan’s affiliate of the ACE Mentor program. He has been named “Who’s Who in Detroit” and is a past NOMA Board Member. Jim is also a past graduate of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cincinnati, class 37. Currently, Watkins serves as a board member for ACI (Allied Construction Industries), HCDC (formerly know as Hamilton County Development Corporation) and Crayons to Computers.
Melvin Gravely's Bio
Mel leads the development and execution of the strategic direction of the firm. He also plays a significant role in the area of business development (sales). He has 28 years of experience in business strategy and a background in corporate business-to-business sales.
Mel Gravely is the majority shareholder of TriVersity Construction Company and was named president and CEO in 2011. Under his leadership, the commercial construction firm has established itself as one of the leading companies of its kind in the Greater Cincinnati region. TriVersity has consistently grown its construction capacity by 20% per year and doubled their sales since 2009. Gravely’s success and attention is focused on building a strong executive team, developing a solid strategic business platform and paying close attention to the customer experience.
Mel Gravely has more than 28 years of business management, sales and strategy experience including Fortune 500 positions with the Timken Company and IBM. He has served as CEO of a variety of businesses in different industries including a civil and structural engineering firm, a management consulting practice and a human resources services company. He spent 15 years as an advisor to major corporations and entrepreneurs on strategy and minority business development. Gravely believes in empowering individuals to perform at their best. He has a personal passion for supporting the growth and development of women and minorities in business.
Gravely is also the founder of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking, Ltd. The Institute is a think-tank focused on getting the best results from minority business development initiatives. He is seen as one of the leading national thinkers on the topic of minority business development. Gravely is the author of eight books on business success, leadership and minority entrepreneurship.
He is an active civic leader and board member of multiple for profit and nonprofit organizations, including TriVersity Construction Company (chair), Spring Grove Funeral Homes (chair), the Glad River Ventures Investment Fund, the Cincinnati Regional Business Committee (secretary) and the United Way of Greater Cincinnati among others. Gravely has also served on the boards of the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber (former chair), Thomas More College, Drake Hospital and the Regional Economic Development Initiative (known as REDI Cincinnati).
Gravely graduated from the University of Mount Union with a degree in computer science. He holds a master of business administration degree from Kent State University and a doctorate degree from Union Institute and University.
Gravely leads one of the largest commercial builders in the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana tri-state region. TriVersity offers construction management, general contracting and design build services. The company portfolio spans the industry and is fueled by a diverse and empowered team of professionals who strive to create vibrant communities.
Ryan Dunlap's Bio
Ryan leads the firm’s financial operations. With his 12 years’ experience, he provides the financial leadership, execution, and experience required to support the company’s growth by working closely with the executive team and the finance and accounting staff.
Ryan Dunlap is the chief financial officer of TriVersity Construction. He brings 12 years of financial experience to the organization. Dunlap leads the overall finance and accounting function of the company and works closely with the executive team providing financial leadership to support TriVersity’s long-term growth. Additionally, Dunlap excels at developing and implementing organizational strategy; developing metrics to align with corporate strategy; evaluating acquisitions, financial management, cash flow planning and management; and managing banking relationships, risk management, and compliance.
Prior to joining TriVersity, Ryan served as the vice president of finance for the Armor Group, a group of manufacturing companies. In this role, he was accountable for corporate accounting and finance, treasury, merger and acquisitions, and human resources for the group globally. Additionally, Dunlap spent several years as the finance director for H.D. Smith Specialty Solutions after starting his career in public accounting with KPMG.
Dunlap holds a B.A. in accounting from Cedarville University and is a licensed CPA in the state of Ohio. He has been an active volunteer with the Greater Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity, Alzheimer’s Association of Cincinnati, and the Freestore Foodbank. Dunlap is also a graduate of the United Way BOLD program.
Operations
Arlene Koth's Bio
Arlene leads the human resource management, corporate operations, and facilities management for the firm. She also serves as the firm’s corporate secretary. Arlene has 16 years of human resources, project management and organizational operations experience. She is responsible for leading the strategic talent management functions, including recruiting and hiring, compensation and benefits, and training and development.
Arlene Koth, vice president of administration and human resources, has more than 19 years of experience in human resource development and strategic planning. She is instrumental in shaping TriVersity’s business strategy working in tandem with the executive leadership to determine how to best use the company’s diverse talent-base to provide exceptional and consistent customer experiences.
In her talent management role with TriVersity she plans, develops, implements and administers the talent management function including staffing, employee orientation, education and training, management development, benefits administration, organizational development and more. Additionally, she leads the corporate operations and is the corporate secretary.
Prior to TriVersity, Koth was the executive vice president and COO for Downtown Cincinnati Inc. (DCI). She created and implemented operational infrastructure (including human resource functions, supplier diversity initiatives, and board/organizational governance processes), and oversaw DCI’s contractual agreements and operating budget. She also served as director of community relations at Cincinnati Works where she created the infrastructure for community engagement and doubled membership.
Koth received her B.A. in communications from Union Institute and University. She is a graduate of Leadership Cincinnati, Women Excel, and the African American Leadership Development Program. She has been recognized by the Business Courier as a “Forty Under 40” award recipient, by the YWCA as a “Rising Star” and as a WE Celebrate “Mentor of the Year” finalist. She currently serves as the Chair of the Governance Committee on the DCI Board of Directors and is a member of the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, the UC Economics Center Board of Trustees, and the Women’s Fund Grant Review Committee. Koth has also served on the board of the Over-the-Rhine Chamber of Commerce and as board chair of the African American Chamber of Commerce.
Koth’s passion for community driven initiatives is demonstrated through her contributions and engagement with organizations such as the YWCA, Cincinnati Works, ArtsWave and the United Way.
Chris Schildmeyer's Bio
Chris leads the firm’s construction operations. With his 21 years’ experience, he manages all field operations staff and is responsible for effective and profitable construction outcomes.
Chris Schildmeyer serves as TriVersity’s vice president of operations. With more than 21 years of construction management experience, he leads the construction operations for the company.
Schildmeyer is responsible for managing TriVersity’s operations staff and is engaged in all aspects of project management from initial set up to project completion. He works directly with clients, customers and partners to ensure exceptional project results.
Before joining TriVersity, Schildmeyer served as the regional director for the Cincinnati office of Pepper Construction Company and as the regional manager for the Columbus office of the Albert M. Higley Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from the University of Cincinnati.
His community involvement includes serving as a member of the Northern Kentucky University Construction Department Advisory Board. He is also chairman of the St. Bernard Civil Service Commission and board member of the St. Clement Athletic Organization board. In addition, Schildmeyer is a past graduate of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cincinnati.