Columbia Construction Co.

As Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Andrew is a specialist at both high level operations management and overseeing the minute details it takes to successfully direct the company’s project and field processes. Andrew has three decades of experience in the construction industry, including nearly 20 years with Columbia. Starting with his very first role at Columbia as a co-op student while studying at Wentworth Institute of Technology, he has held estimating, field, and project management positions. Today, he is one of the key drivers behind Columba’s continued achievements and growth. Andrew has earned a strong reputation for his consummate leadership skills and his process oriented approach. Leading a diverse and experienced staff, Andrew’s mission is to ensure the quality and success of our work and to engage his staff in a process of continual improvement of our construction operations.

A strong believer in mentoring and leading by example at the office, it is no surprise that at home Andrew is a champion of quality family time. He enjoys carving out personal time to recharge with his kids. A fan of professional soccer, he is looking forward to one day planning an excursion to see an English Premier League soccer match with his family.

In 2011, Bill joined Columbia as a project executive after nearly 20 years’ experience of various roles at AJ Martini which exposed him to all facets of a constructionmanagement firm. Currently, as a Senior Vice President Bill finds himself wearing many hats which keeps every day exciting and different. His hats vary day to day and include strategic planning, business development, marketing, training, Lean practices, project executive, principal-in-charge, and acting as a liaison to AGC Mass as member of the board of directors. For Bill, leading the transformation of Columbia’s approach to business development and marketing by utilizing lean practices in the development of our strategic planning is one of the most rewarding parts of his job. Known for his open, genuine, and optimistic attitude, it is hard to pass Bill in the halls and not be effected by his contagious and ever-present smile.

Bill is passionate about his health and his daughters. Being a cancer survivor, he knows that without his health, he cannot be the fun-loving parent his girls appreciate. Outside of the office, Bill can be found enjoying two of his favorite pastimes, skiing and bike riding. In the winter, he spends most weekends at Cannon Mountain. In the warmer months, Bill is training to ride in the Pan Mass Challenge. For more than a decade, Bill has been riding with Team FLAMES (Fast Legs And Minds Ending Suffering) raising funds for Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI).  His team is based out of the DFCI and is grown to nearly 70 members including oncology docs and nurses from DFCI as well as 20 cancer survivors.  The team has raised close to $4 million for DFCI during its existence.

As Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Columbia, Bruce takes pride in going beyond the daily operations and offers strategic counsel and construction expertise on projects, setting the tone for the entire Columbia team. Bruce joined Columbia in 1968 and has held a variety of supervisory and management positions. A combination of past experience and present responsibilities, means Bruce has been involved with most of the projects undertaken by Columbia over the past four decades. For Bruce, seeing employees grow and realize their highest career potential is the most rewarding part of his work. As an industry leader, he has presented at national forums for organizations such as NAIOP and IFMA and he has been a guest lecturer at renowned institutions such as the Harvard Graduate School of Design and MIT’s Center for Real Estate.

Outside of the office, Bruce enjoys spending time with his family, traveling to Los Angeles whenever he get a chance to visit his daughter, son-in-law and two young grandchildren. Bruce also likes to join his fellow Columbia colleagues on the course for a relaxing round of golf.

As a Vice President and the Manager of Columbia Energy, Chris is integral to advancing Columbia as a leader in energy management and sustainable design. A graduate of the State University of New York with a BS in Architectural Design and Construction Management, Chris is driven to provide the best energy solutions for Columbia's clients. He draws on his three decades of experience in the construction industry to assess building performance, identify funding opportunities, and implement effective integrated energy conservation measures. Prior to his current position, Chris served as the Division Manager of Columbia Interiors for 13 years. His motivation and personal energy truly “shines” in and out of the office.

Away from the office you can find Chris enjoying the great outdoors. An avid boater, saltwater fisher, kayaker and stand up paddle boarder, Chris spends a lot of time at his home on Lake Winnipesaukee. As a child Chris dreamed of working in forestry, so it is no surprise that today he enjoys visiting America’s National Parks to pursue his passion for nature and wildlife.

Dave joined Columbia in 2002 as a project superintendent and through the years has advanced into the role of Senior Vice President, overseeing the company’s estimating and preconstruction departments. A graduate of Union College with a degree in Civil Engineering, Dave has 20 years of experience in the construction industry.  A strategic thinker and a strong collaborator, Dave believes in listening to our clients and providing practical planning during the preconstruction phase to ensure dependable budgets and an overall comprehensive project delivery process.

Dave spends the work week going to great lengths to provide an exceptional experience for our clients. His favorite quote, “perfection is not attainable, but if we chase it we can catch excellence" is a testament to his work at Columbia. Outside of work, you can catch Dave trying to reach excellence during a round of golf or enjoying a relaxing moment on the lake. 

As Vice Chairman at Columbia, Jim is very hands-on and plays an active and vital role in shaping business operations, business development and the strategic direction of the company. Having served in several key executive positions in the construction industry, Jim joined Columbia in 1997 and became a Partner in 2003. With more than four decades of experience, Jim knows the construction industry inside and out. With a focus on client satisfaction and an attitude of doing whatever it takes to deliver a successful project, Jim can pull out all the stops to deliver results for clients. Highly innovative by nature, Jim is a firm believer that listening to feedback is just as important as soliciting it. Jim championed Columbia’s use of Revit and Navisworks (BIM) and has long been a proponent of our commitment to sustainable construction practices as but two examples of his commitment to being a leading-edge construction management firm.

Outside of the office, Jim stays just as active with his free time as he does during work hours. Jim enjoys donning his apron and whipping up a gourmet meal, whether it be for a casual Friday dinner for two or a festive holiday spread for family. A fan of the outdoors, Jim also enjoys kayaking and golf as well as spending time with family and friends in Chatham on Cape Cod.

As president of Columbia, Shaun’s leadership and commitment to delivering exceptional results goes beyond daily operations to represent the core values: teamwork, empowerment, and understanding that define Columbia. With over 20 years of construction experience, Shaun is known and respected for his approachable, responsive, and empowering management style. Shaun graduated from Northeastern University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and he started his career working in the field. Quickly building a reputation as a forward thinking and dedicated team player, he moved to project management.  Shaun joined Columbia in 2003 and has held a variety of supervisory and management positions including seven years as Vice President of Columbia’s Interiors Division. Over that time, Shaun successfully grew the Interiors Division through an economic recession into a prosperous and productive team that has worked in over 150 buildings in Downtown Boston and the Greater Boston area. His commitment to inspiring and leading others continues outside of the office as a member of the Dana Farber Leadership Council. Today, overseeing all business operations including strategic development, team building, and project leadership at Columbia, Shaun understands how to turn a big picture vision into reality through relentless planning, systematic collaboration and strong communication. 

A proud dad of thee boys, Shaun has had the honor of coaching hundreds of kids in variety of youth sports including football, baseball and basketball and he absolutely loves it.  For Shaun, having a positive impact on the younger generation is extremely rewarding. An exceptional athlete himself, in 2018 Shaun was inducted into the Farmington High school Hall of fame, where he played four sports for the Tigers (cross country, soccer, basketball, baseball), earning All-Southeastern League honors in all four. We may be biased, but we think he is giving Belichick a run for his money in the coaching department! 

As Director of Preconstruction and Estimating, Bill’s goal is to get the project team the best possible project, with the highest level of finish, for the best value, that can be delivered within any cost and schedule constraints that the client may have. Throughout his14 years with Columbia, Bill has
continually searched for and implemented improvements geared toward creating high-performing teams and exceptional client experiences. His drive to continuously improve, develop meaningful internal and external relationships, and push for collaboration have made him a natural leader within this group and in the company. His hard work on many of Interiors’ complex projects has earned him three Sam Lilly Awards in the past three years. Being a part of the winning project teams for this internal award has given Bill bragging rights as well as the nickname ‘Sam Billy’. Bill consistently goes above and beyond for his clients and co-workers, and is the definition of reliable. As far as Bill is concerned, the most rewarding part of his job is being involved early on in the project lifecycle, identifying potential problems, and working collaboratively to reach a solution before the first hammer is swung.

A New Hampshire resident, Bill is in his element when outside in nature. With hobbies like camping with his family, upland bird hunting, fishing and sugaring, he is a true outdoorsman. If you want something delicious with your waffles, look no further – the Carpenter family taps about 50 Red Maple trees in their yard to produce pure New Hampshire maple syrup each spring! Trust us, it beats Aunt Jemima any day. Bill’s hard work and dedication can be attributed to a quote from his grandfather that he lives by, “it doesn’t matter what you decide to do in life, but at the end of the day just be the best damn person doing it!”

As Chief Estimator at Columbia, Peter draws on his four decades of experience in the construction industry to expertly oversee all of Columbia’s estimates, budgets and proposals. Peter is a firm believer in building and maintaining strong working relationships to support his deep technical knowledge and strong work ethic. Peter is known for his keen ability to breakdown construction operations into a logical sequence of activities as well as his strong organizational skills. The fast paced environment of the department is perfect for Peter, as is evident by the hundreds of projects he has worked on in markets including, academic, housing, corporate, laboratory, healthcare and retail in both the private and public sectors. Throughout his career Peter has held a number of positions including, field engineer, cost engineer, superintendent, project engineer, and estimator, giving him an intimate understanding of each step in the construction process.

For the first twenty years of his career Peter spent his time outside the office building and racing cars. These days he enjoys home renovations and construction projects.

As the Director of Field Operations, Chris is a key contributor to Columbia’s continuous improvement of field operations, acting as a liaison and field staff advocate between operations, preconstruction, and the executive team. He works hard to maintain and promote a healthy culture and to strengthen internal alignment. With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Chris is known for his attention to detail and approachable demeanor.  He believes the construction industry is a "people business" and there is always something new for him to learn whether he is working on a $2M project or a $250M project. Throughout his career he has managed several project types, including both renovation and new construction projects. His ultimate objective in the field is to build high quality projects, represent Columbia in the best way possible, and make sure everyone goes home safe.

When he is not at work, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, friends, and his dogs. For Chris being outdoors enjoying fishing, hunting and nature - from the woods to the ocean – is his true happy place and his favorite way to unwind.

Dan joined Columbia in 2020 as Operations Manager of Life Sciences. With an extensive knowledge of the construction process, Dan serves as a technical resource for the group. Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the team and driving goal-oriented results for projects, Dan concentrates on development, training, and team building. Known for his ability to forge strong relationships, Dan motivates the team to focus on relentless improvement and to overcome situational challenges. For Dan, the most rewarding part of his job is working with talented and like-minded professionals willing to go the extra mile to ensure client satisfaction.

Dan’s focus and passion outside of the office is all about his family. Teaching his boys the value of hard work and never giving up through activities like sports and family hikes, is important to Dan. A fierce competitor when it comes to backyard games, Dan warns you better bring your “A-game” if you break out the cornhole set.  An avid hockey fan, Dan wouldn’t dream of missing the NHL playoff games  - nothing beats the electric feeling at the TD Garden during the playoff season.

Dan has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. A proven leader, his interpersonal skills and in-depth experience help him expertly direct teams through complex, time driven projects. Dan has worked in several market sectors, with a specialized focus in healthcare. Known for his dedication to client satisfaction, Dan embraces open box thinking and a hands-on management style. As a Project Executive, Dan manages budgets, schedules, project costs and project milestones. Dedicated to delivering superior healthcare facilities, Dan finds the ever-changing conditions, as well as the individual logistics and challenges surrounding each project the most rewarding part of his job.

Outside of the office Dan enjoys staying active with his family, including their yellow lab. Throughout the changing New England seasons, Dan enjoys spending his free time at his lake house in New Hampshire and cruising through the picturesque White Mountains on his motorcycle. In the summer he keeps active waterskiing and wakeboarding and in the colder months his favorite pastimes include skiing and snowboarding. Dan also sets aside time to volunteer at two of his favorite charities - the Wounded Warrior Project and the Doughboy Wrestling Club. Dan thinks giving up coffee would be impossible and with such an active and full lifestyle it is easy to understand why.

Fred joined Columbia in 1984 as a project manager, today he is an accomplished Project Executive known for his masterful work on our advanced technology projects. A highly respected entity in the industry recognized for his expert technical abilities, as well as his construction planning, management and scheduling expertise, Fred is a true captain for many field and office teams. For Fred that two most important job performance skills he has learned over his 40 year career are his team leadership skills and the thorough knowledge he has of the industry. His enthusiasm, innovation, and can do attitude are certainly a great asset for any team, too. Fred thrives on solving construction challenges and drawing on his extensive background to better schedule projects, purchase projects, review changes, organize people, mentor staff, select the proper subcontractors, and relate to an owner’s needs.

When not working, Fred enjoy spending warm and sunny winters in Puerto Rico. He loves to travel with his wife, enjoying nature, fresh air and fishing. His favorite part of traveling his getting to enjoy his photography hobby and indulging in afternoon naps.

With 30 years of construction experience, Greg has the strong ability to analyze project needs, site conditions, and owner requirements to develop a comprehensive construction plan and schedule. Highly regarded for both his professionalism and his ability to implement complex construction projects, Greg believes his strong scheduling experience and his ability to understanding the individual goals of the owner, tenant, architect, engineer, general contractor, and subcontractor, are vital to his project successes. Greg is a professional communicator who relies on his sharp interpersonal skills to thoroughly understand a project before the first shovel goes in the ground. Greg’s favorite quote is, “Ipsa scientia potestas est “meaning “knowledge is power.” One of his most notable projects was the expansion of reagent manufacturing facilities for Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics.

When not on the field you can find Greg spending time with his family. Greg appreciates the outdoors- hiking through the woods, boating during the summer months, enjoying a round of golf, and skiing down the slopes during the winter season. Greg hopes to someday visit the seven natural wonders of the world including, Great Pyramid of Giza, Taj Mahal, Great Barrier Reef, and Victoria Falls.

Kate works closely with the Marketing and Business Development Team using her knowledge, experience and creativity to promote Columbia’s client relationships and continued success. With over 15 years of experience in the industry and a background in advertising and public relations, she asks the right questions to help craft targeted and meaningful content. Kate believes communication is not all about what you say, but also about how you listen. As a multitasker and a doer, Kate enjoys the variety and the fast pace that comes with her job, as her skills are put to use writing and producing marketing materials from proposals to email campaigns,  social media planning,  and special events. Known by her co-workers for being an approachable team player, Kate is a true asset who is always willing to help where needed.

When she’s not busy at work, Kate is busy with her two kids and their sports and activities! She wouldn’t have it any other way – she loves the opportunity to volunteer and be involved and have fun with her kids and their community. Never without her Fitbit, in her free time, Kate enjoys walking with family and friends, always determined to reach her daily step goal.

As the Managing Director of Marketing at Columbia, Katy is a big picture leader and a well-organized manager who consistently delivers results while maintaining exceptional collaboration and creativity. Marketing by nature is unpredictable and for Katy that’s what keeps her nearly 30 year marketing and communications career challenging, engaging, and rewarding. Katy has a powerful combination of marketing expertise, communications, and graphic design skills that affords her the unique ability to communicate clearly with creative, technical and administrative staff to achieve corporate goals. Frequently described by her peers as responsive, reasonable, and flexible, Katy enjoys leading teams of various sizes and helping them to capitalize on their strengths for the growth and development of the team as a whole, as well as the individual team members.

Outside of the office, Katy finds herself endlessly entertained and always on the go with her two energetic boys. Aligning her passion for design and art with her career, Katy has found a perfect fit in the construction industry for her skills and her personal interests.

As Director of Financial Operations at Columbia, Alice is a key contributor to Columbia’s overall financial growth. With nearly 30 years of experience in office operations and financial bookkeeping, Alice manages the accounting department. She graduated with a BA in Liberal Arts from Dartmouth College and she went on to earn a joint MBA/MSA from Northeastern University, and an MS in Taxation from Bentley College.  A licensed Certified Public Accountant, Alice works closely with the principals of Columbia to ensure compliance with all accounting, labor and tax regulations. A seasoned leader, Alice believes in working as a collaborative team to closely monitor the financial progress of projects and Columbia.

Outside of work, Alice stays busy spending time with her friends and family. You can find her gardening, shopping, or diving into a new book in her spare time. Traveling has always peaked her interest and she is looking forward to packing her bags and exploring the endless beauty of the world beyond spreadsheets and financial reports.

As Director of Life Sciences at Columbia, Bill is our in-house expert on the Life Sciences industry. With over 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, Bill’s extensive experience includes both business development and project management roles. With a firm grasp on the technological complexities of specialized building facilities and systems, Bill enjoys rolling up his sleeves and working side by-side with the project team to strategize and help solve problems. A strong collaborator and coach, Bill also works closely with the senior leadership staff to develop, implement and continually update Columbia’s strategic plan for our Life Science sector.

Outside of the office, Bill stays just as focused on his family as he does his work, affirming that his military background shapes his strong sense of commitment and discipline. A dedicated dad, on the weekends you may find Bill on the soccer field coaching his kids, in his garage fashioning a homemade Halloween costume, or just enjoying a day at the beach with his wife and their three children.

Jim has over 35 years of experience managing and directing the engineering and installation effort for construction projects spanning various market sectors including healthcare, laboratory/research, pharmaceutical, educational and commercial. As Director of MEP Services at Columbia, Jim is responsible for managing and directing mechanical staff and providing engineering support and oversight for projects. As a unique differentiator in the industry, Jim works in tandem with estimators, project managers and superintendents in the early stages of a project to assists with equipment procurement, subcontractor awards and coordination of the MEP systems. As a registered Professional Engineer and LEED Accredited Professional, Jim believes collaboratively working with all team members provides an efficient project work flow to assure completeness and accuracy to contract documents and owner requirements. 

Jim enjoys starting his day off with a hot cup of tea knowing it will fuel him for whatever the day will bring. From a work day where he has to present a class on HVAC 101 to the company, to a relaxing weekend day at his house in Maine, Jim would never give up his daily ritual. As a hockey goalie and an avid golfer, Jim likes staying active, especially with fun actives that don’t feel like exercise.

As the Director of Information Systems, Josh has a knack of making complex technical concepts seem incredibly clear. Overseeing all of the IT operations and partnering with executive leadership to provide technical and business guidance, it is important to Josh to provide real value outside of what would be considered typical for an IT department. As the resident expert responsible for the operational and fiscal activities of the IT department, as well as all of the policies, standards, and practices as they relate to technology, Josh is very hands-on and plays an active role in shaping Columbia’s systems. Josh is the primary developer of Columbia’s Extranet, and since its inception in 2011 the Extranet has expanded from a simple tool to centralize jobsite and office communications to a fully-integrated, cross-department, operational "hub" used by all departments.

Josh is a dedicated employee who enjoys his work as though it were a hobby.  When Josh does steal away from his screens and keyboard, you can find him relaxing with his family and enjoying a nice meal at a local restaurant. A self-proclaimed neat freak, Josh believes a neat office is a happy office.

A seasoned human resources professional with two decades of industry experience, Julie brings an all-inclusive and strategic perspective to Columbia’s employee programs. Working closing with the principals of Columbia, Julie provides guidance on staffing plans, performance metrics, benefits, as well as training and development programs to help employees create long-term career plans with Columbia. A highly experienced communicator and problem solver, Julie believes the success of a company is closely linked to the development of strong working relationships, a healthy morale and a family friendly culture.

Outside of work, Julie enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two “fur babies.”  A proud owner of two coonhound puppies, Julie enjoys trips to the dog park and long walks with the dogs. An avid gardener, her coworkers love the bounty she shares from her garden in the summer, including fresh tomatoes, basil and mint. Julie loves winter cruising with her husband, they have gone on impressive 20 cruises and visited more than 25 islands over the past decade! In the summer, Julie vacations in Maine with her extended family – sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles - they are all there enjoying the beautiful summer retreat.