Essex General Construction, Inc.

I’ve been very fortunate to provide accounting services for many different industries including insurance, retail, medical, manufacturing and now construction. I have to say construction will always be my favorite. I made the decision to leave my own accounting business to become a part of Essex. I love the people I work with and I look forward to the future and what it brings.

Construction projects are all so unique and and yet so similar. The team of suppliers, subcontractors, owners, design professionals is always changing. With each new job comes a new set of challenges and rewards. When working with so many, the community becomes small and very personal.

For many years people have known me as a workaholic but I’ve learned with age to slow down. Now you won’t find me here in the wee hours of the morning but home with my husband. I love to watch movies, read, garden and l can always find time to learn new things.

For those of you that have stepped into my office, you may wonder, “why all the lions?” As a little girl I fell in love with Clarence the Cross eyed lion from the TV series “Daktari” and I still love lions today for what they represent to me, power and elegance.

I joined Essex in December 1999

I have been building in the Eugene area for most of my adult life. I have worked for other commercial contractors, had my own business and have passionately pursued building knowledge for many years. Now that I am too senile and frail to swing a hammer I manage projects.

I began working with Essex in 2000. I had some trepidation about giving up my independence to become an employee again. But as I came to know many of the Essex family, my reservations gave way to enthusiasm. The beauty of our company is our common bond, our shared values and commitment to improvement.

Building is part of my essence. I believe this is a profession you have to be wired to do. I somewhat jokingly say there is only one way to get out of the building business and that is to die.

After graduating from college with a degree in English I realized I wanted something different from an academic’s life. I thought working with my hands seemed like a great idea at the time. Now many years, tons of lumber, loads of concrete, miles of 2×4’s, and barrels of nails later I have returned to my youth. Now I sit all day typing and studying prints.

Besides my wonderful family I have two passions: wood and water. I live in the forest. I build with lumber. And I craft furniture from logs I mill. Working in my woodshop is very gratifying now that I have learned to slow down and accept that it will never be perfect.

My other passion is all things water: skiing , kayaking, and most of all swimming. I am an ardent lap swimmer. Whenever I see water my first thought is “can I swim it?” Fortunately, I have a few cautionary brain cells left and most of the time I splash back and forth in the safe confines of our local pools.

I’m the oldest of 6 kids and grew up in a small town in Kentucky called Bowling Green. My first introduction to construction was working for a small construction company as their receptionist right out of high school. I loved the family feel of the business and the fast-paced environment of commercial construction. I was hooked and stayed with them for over 3 years.

In 1998, I met Martin in Atlanta, GA at a Barbershop Harmony Convention. Not barbers, we sing for fun and compete!! Martin was from Eugene, OR and after visiting the area and falling in love with the scenery; I decided a year later to leave family and friends and move to be with him.

The first task I had to tackle when moving to this beautiful area was finding a job. Missing my small construction family back in Kentucky, I decided to start calling contractors to see if they were hiring. I loved Essex logo and their name popped out at me in the phone book. I called, two interviews later, I got the job. 

After having held many positions within the company, my new job title is PreConstruction Coordinator. I work with the Estimating Department on preconstruction procedures, bidding documents, contract documents for owners and subcontractors, as well as procedural development for the department.

I love to read, sing, hang out with friends, visit family and travel as much as possible.

My father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all carpenters. I grew up in a construction family, and remember working with my dad on houses from a young age. After high school I joined the Army, and spent six years in the infantry. When I was 26 I started my own construction business, working as a framing subcontractor and general contractor in Portland and Bend. I made a decision to move into project management and put my skills and experience to work as an employee, and opportunities opened up for me in commercial estimating as well. This career path has been very rewarding and I enjoy the challenge and detail work of putting projects together, both on paper and in the field. I believe that having ‘one foot in the blue collar world and one in the white collar world’ as well as strong computer skills has been very advantageous to my career in the construction industry.

At Essex I am the Estimating Manager. Our department produces hard bids and also works closely with clients and design professionals on design-assist projects. We have a great team in the estimating department, and it’s a pleasure to work with such an experienced and professional group of people.

I have two wonderful daughters, Adria and Kassi, who both graduated from Oregon universities and are doing great. On days off I spend time in both the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon, riding horses that my girlfriend Cate and I have raised, hiking, camping, and getting outdoors. I am also an avid reader, and do a bit of writing and computer programming as a hobby.

I graduated from Oregon State University in 2015, and at the age of 22 began working for Essex General Construction as an Estimator.

I come from a long line of Oregonians and was born and raised in Lane County. Growing up I found myself in and around construction, and from an early age I knew that I wanted to build a career in the industry. At the same time I held a deep desire to attend and graduate from Oregon State University like so many in my family had done before me.

While attending college I interned with various construction companies all over the state. By my senior year I was working two jobs in construction while being a full-time student. By the time I graduated I had acquired a bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering Management, a minor in Business Administration, and had completed enough Land Surveying courses to sit for the Surveying Exam.

I’ve learned that the most important things in my life are my family, my friends and my community. I decided that I really wanted to work for a local contractor and better my community one project at a time. Going to work for Essex has given me the chance to do exactly that.

Outside of the office I enjoy working at the Bohemia Park in Cottage Grove, bowling with family and friends in our bowling league, and reading as many books as possible with my dog curled up next to me. But, my absolute favorite pastime is spending time working, riding, and camping in the Umpqua National Forest. There’s no place like home.

My family moved to Oregon in 1981 from back east so my father could head up Hewlett Packard in McMinnville. I’ve grown to love the state and consider myself a true Oregonian. In college, I pursued a degree in Architecture, and finished up at the Oregon School of Design in Portland (now part of the University of Oregon – go Ducks!), graduating with my B.S. in Architecture. I worked in that field from 1987 to 2001, and still enjoy design and using my creative skills whenever I can. I believe it is a real strength and advantage that I can offer my clients. I definitely understand my projects from more than just the construction realm, which shows if a challenge needs to be solved on a job. It’s also allowed me to understand the entire design and construction process more thoroughly and help improve the partnership with design professionals when we’re working together.

My passion for golf actually led to a career in construction. When I was in my 20s, I ran for and was elected to the board while a member at a private club after realizing that some much-needed changes would only happen if members that cared stepped up to help. I initially chaired the long-term planning and development committee. I eventually became president of the board and we did achieve some good changes at the club. After seeing my results at the club, one of my committee members swayed me to consider a career in construction management and to come work for him in his construction company. I was there until 2004, and left to join another company where I was a partner and could have more influence over management and growth.

While there I managed numerous customers including several telecommunications companies, high tech, USDA food grade facilities, health care, retail customers and a variety of tenant improvement projects. My career has now led me to Essex, which I believe is a great fit for my skills and goals in the construction field. I specialize in small projects and am excited to head up this division for them. It is a tricky area at times and my clients have time and again expressed their appreciation at my timeliness and get-it-done attitude.

In my free time I enjoy getting outdoors and enjoying all that Oregon and the west coast has to offer, including taking my two boys Jaxx & Nash golfing, swimming, skiing, fishing and on other adventures. They are great kids and I spend as much time as I can with them. My wonderful wife Mindi and I enjoy buying houses, fixing them up and selling them. I also design and build furniture, cabinets and various other artistic endeavors. Once an architect, always an architect. Life with my family is always busy and entertaining.  

I am from Milwaukie Oregon and graduated from Rex Putnam High School. I received my AAOT from Clackamas Community College. My initial plan was to transfer to a university to continue my Endodontics education. Fortunately, those plans changed when I discovered that I was pregnant with my daughter Madison. Instead of attending school and working part-time, I made the switch to full-time employment and joined Lowes Home Improvements. I worked as a Project Coordinator for the installation department that handled a variety of home remodel projects, encompassing everything from exterior projects to complete gutting and remodeling of bathrooms and kitchens. I worked from the store office and on site ensuring that our projects were running smoothly and all details were managed appropriately. I enjoyed the process and chaos of construction. While working at Lowes I met Brian Poissant, who is now a Project Manager at Essex. He encouraged me to apply for a Project Engineering position at the company he was working with at that time. I worked at that firm for about two and a half years. When I was ready to leave, Brian reached out to let me know that Essex was hiring. While my path deviated from my initial plans to become an Endodontist, I couldn’t be happier with the course my career has taken. I’m happy to work in construction and believe my skills are well suited to being a Project Engineer.

I’m a soccer mom through and through, so when I’m not working you will likely find me helping at one of my daughter’s soccer practices and/or games or cheering on the Portland Thorns. My husband, daughter and I enjoy camping and hiking. I am also an avid reader.

My dad worked for Target while I was growing up. His role involved showing up about three months before a new or remodeled Target was complete, bringing the project to a finish, and then managing the store for a year. We moved around a lot. I lived in several locations throughout Arizona, California, Colorado and Oregon. That experience taught me how to make new friends quickly. Eventually we settled in Salem, Oregon where I attended high school. My dad’s career helped inspire both me and my brother to pursue careers in the AEC industry. My brother is a civil engineer based in Salem. When it was time for me to go to college, I studied Construction Engineering Management at Oregon State and then moved on to Portland State where I studied Civil Engineering.

When I’m not at work I’m outside. I enjoy fishing, rafting, hiking and basically any activity that gets me out of doors. I’m also a big baseball fan and coach my son’s team. 

I was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, but left immediately after high school for a short stint at Oregon State, before moving on to Colorado and finishing my undergraduate studies at Colorado State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Construction Management. I then headed to Atlanta Georgia where I entered the municipal water and wastewater construction industry while working on a Master of Science in Technology Management at what is now Kennesaw State University. After spending seven years in Atlanta and working on multiple water and wastewater construction projects, I moved to Utah and entered the commercial and industrial construction sectors. My career has taken me from Georgia to California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and South Dakota. Along with living in a variety of places, I’ve been fortunate to work on many interesting and varied projects including hotels and casinos, schools and university projects, big box stores and corporate headquarters, to name a few. One project I’m particularly proud of is a significant seismic isolation and historic renovation to the Utah State Capital. Before joining Essex, I was Vice President of Construction and Partner at Legacy Builders in South Dakota; where I personally was the qualifier for our general contracting licenses in 27 states and developed and built over 40 hotels throughout the country.

Now I’m happy to be back home in Eugene; where my wife Joan and I grew up and attended high school together. It’s also where we still have numerous friends and family. When I’m not at work, my wife and I enjoy riding our motorcycle, snow skiing, traveling and spending time with our friends and family.

I was born and raised in Junction City. In fact I’m among the 4th generation in my family to graduate from Junction City High School. After receiving my associates degree in Business from Linn Benton Community College, I went to work for three years at Cherry City Electric as a Project Engineer. I knew I wanted to work for a general contractor, and heard nothing but good things about Essex, so that is where I applied. Fortunately they hired me and I’m now a Project Engineer at Essex.

I am an outdoorsman, and when I’m not at work it’s quite likely I’m hunting, fishing or camping with friends and family.

I grew up in the Portland area before going to the University of Washington where I played on the lacrosse team and earned my bachelor’s degree in Construction Management. My mother had studied architecture and my father studied civil engineering, and I wanted to follow a similar career path. After exploring both architecture and engineering, I turned my focus to construction. This was the happy medium between the two, with not too much design or too much math. In construction I’m able to bring my strengths, by working with architects, engineers and other building professionals in a collaborative way.

After graduating I worked as a project engineer for a general contractor in Seattle, building both midrise and garden-style multifamily housing. I stayed there for four years, until my girlfriend and I decided we wanted to live closer to our families in the Portland area. I’m so glad I found Essex where I can continue to put my skills to work at a company that values collaboration and has a strong commitment to quality construction.

When I’m not at work you are likely to find me outdoors. My girlfriend and I are very active. We enjoy snow skiing, water skiing, hiking, backpacking and mountain biking. I also enjoy coaching lacrosse, playing guitar, and I love to travel. I have backpacked through Europe, South America and Thailand. I look forward to exploring more of the world.

I grew up in residential construction, and decided to pursue construction as a career. After high school, I earned an Associates Degree in drafting and engineering technology. My professional experience includes detailing commercial cabinetry, and working in a steel fabrication shop, initially as the Sales and Estimating Coordinator and eventually becoming a Project Engineer. I even worked as a CNA at a hospital during the recession, but quickly returned to construction when jobs were more plentiful. All these experiences prepared me well for my work as a Project Engineer at Essex.

When I’m not working you might find me with tools in hand, doing construction projects with my husband on our own property or helping our family. We both enjoy the outdoors, so when the tool belts come off, we like to go hunting, fishing, and camping. Living in the Willamette Valley provides us great access to outdoor experiences from the coast to the Cascade mountains and beyond.

I grew up in Roseburg and moved Ashland to attend Southern Oregon University where I was able to be a part of the football team. After 2 years I decided to move to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon. I worked as a construction laborer and carpenter throughout my years at UO to pay for college. It turns out that I really enjoy construction. After graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, I continued working in the field. My employer at the time sent me out of town a lot, so I decided to look for another firm to join. Essex reached out, and I was happy to make the switch. I’ve worked my way up at Essex and am now a Project Engineer.

When I’m not working, I’m fishing. Fly fishing to be specific. I do most of my fishing in Central and Eastern Oregon, and look forward to exploring more great places to fish.

I’m originally from India and completed my undergraduate education there, studying Civil Engineering. I moved to Oregon to get my Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, with a focus on Construction Engineering Management, at Oregon State. While studying at Oregon State, I worked with Bo Oswald and John Graves at Northwest Monitoring. After graduating I joined a construction firm. It was a great opportunity to work with a large general contractor. I appreciated that experience, but it also taught me that I’d prefer working with a smaller, more lean firm. I reconnected with Bo and he suggested I join him at Essex. I am now a Senior Project Engineer. I appreciate the opportunity to take on new challenges and expand my knowledge. 

When I’m not at work I enjoy playing badminton, and spending time outdoors. I also have a passion for cooking.

I’ve been a Project Manager and Estimator at Essex for about eight years. I bring years of construction experience to our clients. My first construction job was a summer job for a concrete contractor in South Ozone Park, Queens, New York. Most of the guys spoke only Italian, so my lead role was to forecast and communicate our project needs to suppliers. I have always known my career would be in building construction, and focused on studying architecture or working in construction. I attended Orange County Community College in Middletown, New York, Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and eventually the University of Oregon here in Eugene.

My beautiful wife Lori and I have two exceptional daughters, Katherine and Emma. The girls are both native Eugenians, and fortunately for us they still live here. I’m a builder at heart, and in my free time, you are likely to find me working in my shop or improving my house. Music, especially jazz, soothes my soul. Charles Mingus and Tom Waits are favorite musicians. I’ve loved cars from an early age, and owned and coddled a group of 356-series Porsches through my twenties.

Essex is the best general contractor I’ve ever worked for. We are an experienced group and strive to help each other. We all want to build the best buildings possible, and we’re dedicated to serving our clients. We are good at meeting and beating schedule and budget goals. There’s a comfort level and a lot of good energy at Essex, and I’m happy to be a part of it.

I’m a 5th generation Oregonian. My father’s family came from Ireland in the late 1800’s and settled on property outside of Harrisburg that I grew up on . It was great growing up in a farming community and I started working on local farms at age 12. I went to Oregon State and the University of Idaho and studied forestry engineering / timber harvesting, which gave me my first feel for construction while building logging roads. During my college career, I was equally interested in both forestry and construction and kept switching my major. In the end I graduated with a B.S. in forestry, and then went directly to work in construction.

I worked for Andersen Construction for 11 years, starting as a Project Engineer. I then had the opportunity to become a Project Manager, Business Development Manager and eventually a senior leader, that helped start and operate their Eugene office. During my time at Andersen, I also worked on the development side of the business, filling the role of an Owner’s Rep.

Then the opportunity came to join Reynolds Electric as their Vice President to help grow their commercial construction business. I eventually became their President and CEO. During my five years at Reynolds, we experienced exponential growth. We acquired Kevin Cohen Plumbing and started an underground company along with growing the electrical company. Another venture I pursued over the years was investing in residential Real Estate, where we’d buy, renovate, build and flip houses.

I’ve been fortunate to have learned so much over the years from these experiences and wanted to get back to my roots in general construction and development. I love the full cycle of the development and building process from building the relationships early in the process before a shovel hits the ground to the final completion of a project and the last piece of furniture is moved in.

When I had decided to make a move back to general construction Essex is where I wanted to land. The Essex team brings a highly collaborative approach to the construction process that truly resonates with me. They’ve got a great reputation in the community, from quality construction and fairness with clients to their amazing role as a community supporter.

When I’m not working my family is my top priority. My wife Laura and I have three amazing boys, who are all active in various sports and activities, depending on the season. I’m a dirt bike and snowboard enthusiast. Laura and I are big believers in leading active lifestyles. We enjoy our sports, working on our home and property, and spending time with family and friends.

I am Essex’s first Marketing & Business Development Manager. I bring years of marketing experience to Essex, including over a dozen years working with architects and engineers from Georgia to Oregon. I graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, and have worked in my field ever since. I am an active member of SMPS - The Society for Marketing Professional Services. I am a Lane County Master Recycler and have been active in GreenLane Sustainable Business Network. GreenLane provides me with an opportunity to network with and learn from other business people in Eugene who are committed to sustainability. In fact Essex’s sustainable values were an important factor that attracted me to the firm.

When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my husband Jay and our sons, Logan and Cole. We live in the coast range west of Eugene on five forested acres. I enjoy the outdoors, and spend free time hiking, gardening and gathering mushrooms. I love to cook and entertain, and am an avid reader. My book club has been meeting regularly many years. My other passions include travel and promoting sustainable practices. 

I feel so lucky to be working at Essex. It feels like I’ve died and gone to employee heaven. My job is to promote Essex, and sometimes I feel I need to contain my enthusiasm so it doesn’t overwhelm people or seem ‘put on.’ The truth is I love working for a company of caring, intelligent people who support the community and each other, and understand that great communications and standing behind your work are essential to both business and personal success.

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I have been a part of Essex since June of 2011. I am the Accounting and IT Manager. My goal is not only to support existing IT infrastructures but to create new solutions to streamline processes.

Born and raised in Eugene I graduated from the University of Oregon in 2013 with a degree in Business Administration from the Lundquist College of Business. When I have free time I enjoy hiking with my wife or riding my bike.

I’ve always been a builder from when I was first able to pick up Lego blocks as a child to later as a teenager building skateboard ramps. I was lucky enough to attend public schools that offered wood shop, welding and drafting. I took advantage of these and developed my love and skills for building. After graduating from the University of Oregon in 1993 took a job at a Eugene firm building custom yurt style homes. I joined Essex in 2006 where I’m currently a project superintendent. Essex is a great company to work for. The leadership has heart. They care about their employees, the community and the environment. This is rare in a construction company. In my spare time I enjoy mountain biking, music, gardening, woodworking and the sun.