Locations
The Christman Co.
Vice President, Historic Preservation
Key Contacts
Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Daniel C. LaMore's Bio
A veteran of nearly 25 years in the construction industry, Dan serves as principal in charge of Christman's West Michigan business unit. He is known for his ability to bring maximum value to each project through his special strengths in pre-construction programming, project coordination, client relations, team leadership, and communications. A strong focus on community, mentoring and diversity is reflected in opportunities created through both his construction projects and volunteerism efforts, which include Habitat for Humanity, YMCA, Grand Rapids Public Schools School of Construction, Blandford Nature Center and others. Dan was promoted to the position of senior vice president in 2008. He is also a member of the company's board of directors.
Matthew T. Chappelle's Bio
As chief financial officer and treasurer of Christman's board of directors, Matt — a 25-year construction industry veteran - directs all financial operations of Christman and its affiliate companies. His expertise in debt and equity financing are particularly valuable in assisting the company's real estate development group to create sound opportunities for Christman and clients alike. He is also responsible for a wide variety of related areas, including risk management, information systems, benefits administration, and supplier diversity programs. Matt joined Christman in 1999 as controller, promoted to vice president in 2006, to senior vice president in 2008, and to Christman’s executive committee in 2016. He is also a member of the company's board of directors.
Ronald D. Staley's Bio
Ron serves as principal in charge of both Christman's Southeast Michigan business unit located in Detroit and the company's historic preservation unit, having returned to Michigan after establishing Christman's Washington, D.C. operations in 2003. Joining Christman as a project manager in 1985, Ron was promoted to Christman vice president in 1990, and to Christman's board of directors in 1995. In 1992, he founded Christman's historic preservation group and has since led it to national prominence, directing multiple, highly visible preservation projects to national, state and local awards for teamwork, unique delivery methods and quality. He brings to all his projects a strong background in management systems, understanding of early project planning, pre-construction and design services, and successful construction delivery. In 2000, Ron was honored by AIA Michigan as an Honorary Affiliate Member and in 2005, was appointed as Fellow with the Association of Preservation Technology International (APT). Ron was promoted to the position of senior vice president in 2008, and is a member of Christman's board of directors.
Steven F Roznowski's Bio
Olivet College, B.A., Accounting and Finance
Certified Public Accountant, Michigan
Steve leads the overall Christman organization at the executive level, including directing the company's strategic planning efforts. He has also been instrumental in creating and expanding Christman's real estate development services and portfolio development. He joined Christman in 1985 as assistant controller and advanced to controller in 1986. He was soon named secretary and treasurer and appointed to the board of directors. Over the next ten years, he took on increasing operations and business development responsibilities. In 1997, he was promoted to senior vice president. In 2000, Steve was elected to the position of president and chief executive officer of The Christman Company - the fifth president in the company's then 117-year history.
Operations
Jay H Smith's Bio
Central Michigan University, B.S., Industrial Management and Supervision
Jay oversees all construction operations for The Christman Company with responsibility for providing field leadership and maintaining all systems necessary to ensure safety, quality, schedule, and cost control. He also serves as principal in charge of individual projects for a select number of the firm's longest-term clients. He joined the company in 1984 as project engineer and in 1985 advanced to project manager. He was promoted to vice president in 1990, to senior vice president in charge of construction operations in 1997, and to executive vice president in 2012. He was appointed to the board of directors in 1993, and is a member of the company’s executive committee.
John A Holmstrom's Bio
Michigan State University, B.S., Civil Engineering
John leads the Industrial and Power Group and is also responsible for oversight of major special projects and strategic initiatives of Christman. He joined Christman in 1987, holding a variety of positions of increasing responsibility including project engineer, superintendent, project manager, and estimator. He became a full-time estimator in 1993 and was promoted to chief estimator in 1995 and vice president in 1999. He was appointed to Christman's board of directors in 2005. John was promoted to the position of senior vice president in 2008, is a member of Christman's board of directors, and was appointed to Christman's executive committee in 2016.
Tom Whitmore's Bio
University of Michigan, B.S., Architecture
As vice president in Christman's mid-Atlantic office, Tom is responsible for directing both key historic renovation and new construction projects there. His training and experience in design and construction administration make him particularly adept at pre-construction planning services during the early phases of our projects. As a trained architect, LEED-accredited professional and highly-competent construction manager, Tom's broad range of skills have enabled him to bring great added value to our clients' projects. He joined Christman as project manager in 2000, was promoted to project executive in 2006, and promoted to vice president in 2017. In addition to directing historic preservation in the mid-Atlantic region, Tom also heads up the technical resources and training of historic preservation personnel for Christman's national historic preservation group. Tom has served on the board of the Association for Preservation Technology since 2013 and now serves as the treasurer.
Business Development, Marketing & Sales
Kaleena Kowalkowski's Bio
As the business development specialist for Christman’s West Michigan region, Kaleena uses her outstanding communication and relationship building skills to connect with current and prospective clients. She brings to her role experience in working as an economic development specialist at Neighborhood Ventures in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she provided technical support for business needs and assisted in creating connections among the business community. A focus on working with both public entities and private businesses to support redevelopment in urban core districts closely mirrors the role she plays with Christman to understand and assist with clients’ facilities needs and create the partnerships needed to exceed project expectations.
Mary K. LeFevre's Bio
Mary brings over 25 years of business development and marketing experience in a variety of construction markets, including healthcare, higher education and commercial facilities. She joined Christman in 2013 after 24 years in similar roles with another large commercial builder in Detroit. Her professional affiliations include Corporate Real Estate for Women (CREW) - Detroit Chapter, Associated General Contractors (AGC), Washtenaw Contractors Association (WCA), American Institute of Architects (AIA), and Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD). Mary's high-performance, dynamic style and expertise in relationship building, strategic planning and development of exceptional service standards enable her to confidently and consistently deliver outstanding outcomes for clients.
Meg A. Honigberg's Bio
As the business development specialist for Christman's mid-Atlantic region, Meg uses her outstanding communication and relationship building skills to enter new markets, increase Christman's visibility in the region and foster lasting relationships with clients and partners alike. Meg's previous work experience in the region allows her to implement strategic planning and utilize her attention to detail, and her performance background makes her a dynamic presenter. Her professional affiliations include Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) - DC Chapter, Washington Building Congress (WBC), NAIOP - Northern Virginia Chapter, and Women in Healthcare, where she serves on the Board of Directors as Communications Chair.
Randy Merritt's Bio
With nearly 40 years in the industry, including two years as Project Manager at Christman, Randy offers a deep knowledge of construction operations. His project experience includes health care, education, religious, industrial and retail as well as hospitality and entertainment. He also brings expertise in precast fabrication and installation, surveying, highway construction, environmental services and fuel storage systems. Randy holds an associate degree in construction engineering technology from Pellissippi State Community College. His professional affiliations include Resource Valley Construction Training Council and Pellissippi State Foundation. Randy is exceptionally skilled at forming and maintaining client and community relationships. He is known for his strong work ethic and ability to build trust and unite teams.
Other
Douglas T. Norton's Bio
Doug's strong administrative, engineering and construction management skills, gained through more than 27 years of diverse and challenging field experiences, make him an ideal team leader, particularly for the largest, most complex projects. His excellent problem-solving and dispute resolution skills are complemented by additional expertise in contract administration, procurement and design review. In 2006, he was awarded the Christman Way Cornerstone Award, the company's highest honor in recognition of employee excellence in representation of its core values. Doug joined Christman in 1990 as project manager, was subsequently promoted to senior project manager and project director and then to project executive in 2006.
Nicholas S. Lawrence's Bio
As a project executive in Knoxville, Nick is known for his expertise in delivering large construction projects on operational campuses, particularly in the higher education, healthcare, retail and hospitality industries where maintaining uninterrupted mission critical operations is essential. His ability to plan projects, develop strong working relationships and promote a cohesive team makes him a natural leader. Nick has a wide variety of project experience, including the multi-phased Student Center at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Johnston Memorial Hospital Oncology Center, Baptist Regional Medical Center Surgery and Critical Care Unit Addition and Renovation, and Double Tree Hotel. Nick is actively involved with AGC Knoxville, enjoys volunteering with United Way, serves on the leadership team for Upward Sports, and serves as deacon at First Baptist Church Strawberry Plains. Nick joined the company in 2007 as a project engineer and was promoted to project manager in 2009, senior project manager in 2014, and project executive in 2016.
Wes Altman's Bio
As a project executive in Greensboro, North Carolina, Wes contributes significantly to the company’s success in the Southeast U.S. region, with management of projects in healthcare, higher education, industrial, and others. Wes has provided leadership on key projects including the Fayetteville State University Science and Technology Building, High Point Regional Hospital Facilities Building Expansion and Infrastructure Improvements, Granville Medical Center Emergency Department Addition and Renovation and New Energy Plant, and St. Pius X Catholic Church New Sanctuary and Campus Improvements. Wes joined Rentenbach in 1998 as a project coordinator and was promoted to assistant project manager in 1999, project manager in 2000, senior project manager in 2007, and project executive in 2016.
Zachary J. Bosma's Bio
As a project executive in Christman's West Michigan office, Zac provides leadership on complex projects throughout the Grand Rapids area, including the Interurban Transit Partnership Silver Line Bus Rapid Transit System, Western Michigan University Campus Dining Facility and Gerald R. Ford International Airport Terminal Area and Parking Improvements. With over 20 years in the construction industry, Zac has extensive experience in estimating and scheduling, as well as budgeting, contracting and overall management of multi-million dollar projects. He demonstrates his dedicated, self-motivated attitude through his leadership and client-focused approach to ensure the success of each project. He is focused on adding value to every aspect of a project, from an idea to occupancy, through the eyes of the client.