Commerce Construction Co.

Ali A. Zaré, Vice President and District Manager, offices out of the home office and provide leadership to Commerce Construction projects across the country and outside the United States that are not near an established Commerce office.  Ali’s emphasis is on Due Diligence, Pre-Development and Pre-Construction efforts. Ali came to Commerce in February of 2015 with 35 years of local and national construction experience, of which 22 years was as Project Executive and Director of Pre-Construction Services with a world recognized International Design Build firm in the Western United States. Ali has served in various capacities on over 100 completed projects in Manufacturing, Warehouse/Distribution, Office, Tenant Improvement, Medical, Cultural/Institutional, Educational, Entertainment/Recreational & Hospitality. Ali is a Jayhawk engineer and holds a Master’s of Science and Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Kansas.

Anthony Raso joined Commerce Construction in 2018 and currently serves as Vice President and District Manager for the Northeast Region office in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. His position requires working with brokers and design professionals to select, entitle, and develop property. He oversees all day to day operations which include pre-construction, project management, park management and scheduling. He takes great pride in the achievements and success of the staff of dedicated project managers, superintendents and office administrators he works with.

Anthony comes to Commerce with over twenty-seven years of experience in estimating and managing of commercial, industrial and design-build projects. His career started in the public works sector of New York as an estimator and project manager. Recently he was a Senior Project Manager for highly respected regional general contractor. Anthony has overseen the building of multifamily residential, educational institutions, hotels, auto dealerships, and well over two million square feet of distribution centers in the Northeast.

Anthony earned a Bachelor’s degree in management from Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and holds an OSHA 30 certification. He proudly gives back to his community by coaching youth football for the last twenty four years.

Dan Bell, as Vice President and District Manager of the Dallas office of Commerce is responsible for construction operations and performance of design and construction activities for the Company’s projects in Texas and Arizona.

Dan came to Commerce in March of 2016 as a project manager.  Previously Dan was superintendent for a nationally-recognized, integrated real estate development and management company with operations throughout the United States.  In addition Dan’s experience includes small business owner, estimator, project engineer, and preconstruction manager.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction.

Edward P. Roski, Jr. is President and Chairman of the Board of Majestic Realty Co.  He also is co-owner of the Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Lakers. Combining his love of sports with his passion for business, he is recognized for playing a critical role in developing the STAPLES Center, a landmark in downtown Los Angeles.

A generous and well-respected philanthropist, Ed personally commits his time and resources to countless civic organizations throughout Los Angeles.

In addition, in 2002, he initiated the Majestic Realty Foundation whose charitable giving and community outreach focuses on youth, family, education, health, and violence prevention.

Mr. Roski takes an active role in the city’s cultural and educational development, serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Southern California as well as on boards of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Bowers Museum, The California Science Center, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission. Additionally, Ed has joined the board of trustees of the National Geographic Society, serving on the Executive Committee.

In 2007, he cofounded the Land of the Free Foundation, where he currently serves as President, to help families of our country’s war veterans.

Outside of his civic and professional endeavors, Ed’s great love is adventure travel. A member of the famed Explorers Club, he has climbed to Base Camp at Mt. Everest, K2, and Mt. Kilimanjaro, ridden his bike across Mongolia, Russia, and Burma, made several deep-water dives throughout New Guinea, and descended in a Russian submersible to the wreck of the Titanic, 2.5 miles beneath the ocean’s surface.

Born in Oklahoma and raised in Southern California, Ed graduated from the University of Southern California in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Real Estate.  He served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps from 1962 to 1966 where he was decorated for bravery with two Purple Hearts. He now resides in Los Angeles with his wife Gayle Garner Roski, with whom he has three children and eight grandchildren.

Eric Scheler joined Commerce Construction Co., L.P. in 2010 and currently serves as Vice President and District Manager of the Bethlehem, Penn. office overseeing construction operations for the northeast area. Eric has direct responsibility for all field aspects of projects and coordinates with ownership, the estimating department, architects and engineers, and city and county agencies to ensure construction is on schedule, and on budget.

A “Certified Professional Estimator” with extensive experience in Pre-Construction Services, Design Build Services, Construction Management, and General Contracting, he also has experience as a Carpenter, Carpenter Foremen, Superintendent, and Project Manager. He recently completed several large industrial warehouses in the Lehigh Valley, including the Crayola distribution center in Majestic’s Bethlehem Center Park, and the first LEED silver certified warehouse in the U.S. in Upper Macungie Township, Penn.

A graduate of Everglades University in Boca Raton, Flor., he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Management.

Fernando Castaneda joined Commerce Construction in 2016 and currently serves as a Vice President and District Manager for our Laredo Office.  Fernando is responsible for Direct, Organize and overseeing the construction of company’s projects, including, Class “A” Industrial Buildings for Warehousing, Logistics & Manufacturing, Tenant Improvements, Office Finish Outs, and New Developments through all phases of construction from conception to final occupancy.

Before joining Commerce, he worked for one of the largest and reputable General Contracting firms in Mexico participating in the Construction of several heavy manufacturing facilities for American and European companies (Automotive parts, paper processing, plastic injection, aluminum casting). He then moved to Laredo, TX in 2007 and worked for a couple of local companies where he served as Project Manager & Construction Manager and oversaw the construction of several warehouse projects, truck terminals, schools and institutional projects, residential construction, multifamily and new developments. Fernando has completed little over 3 million SF of construction with a combined estimated value of $200 Million

Fernando earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and completed various courses in construction management, quality assurance and safety.

Gary N. Wax joined Commerce Construction Co., L.P. in 2003 and currently serves as Vice President and District Manager where he is responsible for project construction operations in Georgia and the Southeast United States.

Under Gary’s leadership, the Georgia operations have grown from a one-man construction manager to a full-service, design-builder executing projects in excess of $40 million.  As a LEED Accredited Professional, Gary and the Georgia office team designed and constructed the company’s first LEED Silver project.

Prior to joining Commerce Construction, he held a variety of positions for global giant, Kajima International, including Director of Business Development (Southeast U.S.) and Senior Manager of the Carolina’s office.

A graduate of the University of Florida, Gary earned a Bachelor of Building Science degree.

Gilbert Mota joined Commerce Construction Co., LP in 2015 and currently serves as Vice President and District Manager of the Fort Worth, TX office.

Gilbert has oversight on the design and construction projects in the Fort Worth, TX area including the 70-acre, mixed-use joint venture project at the iconic Fort Worth Stockyards.

Prior to joining Commerce Construction, Gilbert worked in the Fort Worth/Dallas area for one of the largest construction management firms in the nation and has managed complex award-winning projects whose value totals over $250 million and 3 million square feet.

Hal Weise currently serves as a Vice President and District Manager for our Arizona Office.

He is responsible for complete oversight of pre-construction and construction activities. This includes early project development activities, such as site selection and due diligence, as well as design and project management activities. Hal works closely with Developers, Designers, Project Managers, and Site Supervision to facilitate an integrated process from project conception through turnover.  Hal thoroughly understands the complete project delivery process, and works diligently to deliver the highest quality product and service.

Hal came to Commerce in February of 2019 as a Senior Project Manager.  He brings over 17 years of Design-Build, Development, Industrial Distribution Center, Food and Beverage Processing, and Office Space experience.  Previously Hal was a Senior Project Manager for a nationally-recognized, Design Build General Contracting firm with integrated real estate development operations throughout the United States. Hal has completed over 2 million SF of construction with a combined estimated value of $250 Million

Hal holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building Construction Management from Purdue University.

Jakob (Jake) Ackermann, who joined Commerce Construction in 1969, serves as Chairman of the Board of Commerce Construction Co., L.P., as well as a board member and Vice President for Majestic Realty Co.

He has successfully managed the affairs of Commerce Construction since 1972 and is responsible for overseeing all functions of the full-service, multi-disciplined construction company.  Commerce Construction has developed approximately 70 million square feet of industrial, office, retail and entertainment facilities.

Jake came to Commerce Construction in 1969 after seven years with one of Southern California’s top 20 Design and Construction firms.  His business education from Germany is supplemented by a degree in Architectural Drafting from Los Angeles Trade Technical College.  He is a licensed General Contractor in both California and Nevada.

John S. Perkins joined Commerce Construction Co., L.P. in 1988 and currently serves as Executive Vice President, where he is responsible for and oversees various functions for Commerce Construction Co., L.P.’s design and construct activities.

Prior to joining Commerce Construction, John spent 17 years with top constructionfirms in the western United States.  His experience includes managementprocedures, project entitlement, design coordination, estimating, bidding and negotiations, scheduling and job cost control.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles.  In addition, he is licensed as a General Contractor in the state of California, and is the responsible managing officer for Commerce in Arizona, Colorado, and Nevada, and holds specialty licenses for concrete and general engineering construction.

John R. Burroughs joined Commerce Construction in 1995 and serves as President of the Company.  In his role, John directs and coordinates the company’s staff in the design and construction of all of Majestic Realty Co.’s construction projects, as well as projects for outside companies.

With extensive experience in the design and construction of countless industrial, retail, office, and tenant improvement projects, John delivers cutting-edge development support to the company’s clients.

Noteworthy projects include the 325 acre Grand Crossing industrial development in City of Industry, Calif; the 50-acre Citrus Plaza Shopping Center in Redlands, Calif; and the 977,000-square-foot, LEED Silver Freezer/Cooler Warehouse for Kraft Foods in Atlanta.

John earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.

Matthew Vawter, as Vice President and District Manager of the California office is responsible for the entire spectrum of activities necessary to effectively manage the diverse California Market. He brings over 20 years of Industrial, Raw Land Development, Distribution, and Office experience.  Matthew holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from University of California at Santa Cruz and a Master of Public Administration with an Emphasis Urban and Regional Development from California State University at Fullerton.

Rob Mumford joined Commerce Construction Co. in 2015 as District Manager of the Las Vegas region. His responsibilities range from design build, estimating and construction of large commercial buildings for Majestic Realty Co., to working on property improvements for Majestic’s Silverton Casino and Hotel Resort.

Prior to joining Commerce Construction, Rob served as Area Manager for Panelized Structures where he designed and built roof structures in both metal deck and Hybrid roof systems. He started the solar division of Panelized Structures which has become one of the foremost Solar Rooftop and Carport contractor’s in the nation.

Rob holds a General Contractors License in the state of California, as well as a California and a Nevada Real Estate License.

Ryan Merlette joined Commerce Construction in 2017 and currently serves as Vice President and District Manager of Northwest operations centered in Hillsboro, Oregon. Since joining, Ryan held positions of Project Superintendent and Senior Project Manager. He currently manages all aspects of the work, from pre-construction through construction, and also supports our post-construction property management team.

Ryan previously worked for a large heavy civil general contractor, where he served in various capacities on design-build projects spanning the Northwest, remote Alaska and Hawaii before transitioning into the private development sector and playing an integral role for a small local developer.

He is a proud Northern California transplant and a California State University, Chico alumni with a Construction Management degree.

Skip Bailey joined Commerce Construction in 1982 and has held positions as Carpenter Foreman, Project Superintendent, Project Manager, District Manager and Vice President.  He has managed work in California, Colorado, and Pennsylvania and currently serves as District Manager of the Aurora, CO office.

Skip also held a senior executive position for another nationally-recognized, integrated real estate and construction company with operations throughout the United States.  Prior to starting his construction career, he was a managerial accountant in the Southern California grocery industry for 10 years.

Skip attended California State University Long Beach studying business, accounting and microbiology.