Locations
Cohn Constr. Services
Key Contacts
Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Brian Pattison's Bio
Brian is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management. Brian serves as President of Cohn Development Services and oversees all projects in the development portfolio. His responsibilities include providing the strategic direction of markets we enter and exist in, as well as management of active development and execution of projects.
Brian’s background includes nearly 20 years of Design-Build Development and Construction Projects. He currently also serves Cohn Construction Services in the management of Pre-Construction Services where is he provides strategy and estimating experience to better serve our customers.
Brian brings a tremendous amount of experience to our team in industrial, healthcare and commercial construction and development. He has extensive experience overseeing the design and construction of surgery centers, urgent care facilities, concrete tilt up and precast concrete panel industrial and manufacturing facilities make him a unique strategic development partner. His education, experience and background brings a unique perspective to project approach and is able to counsel clients with a Developer’s and Owner’s mindset.
Brian maintains an active membership with local contractors’ associations, the American Society of Healthcare Engineering, a graduate of Financial Analysis for Commercial Investment Real Estate and Class of 2011 graduate of Leadership Columbia.
Harris Cohn's Bio
Harris studied at Vanderbilt University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in Human and Organization Development and a minor in Computer Science. Harris serves as President and leads Cohn as well as Cohn’s private development portfolio.
A resident of the City of Columbia, Harris serves as Commissioner on the City of Columbia’s Design and Development Review Commission (DDRC). Additionally, he has served as a board member on the South Carolina Philharmonic, Columbia Museum of Art, and is a member of the buildingcommittee for his church.
As President, Harris oversees all operational activity and provides leadership and pursuit of our founding vision to continually grow in ability. As both a developer and Design-Builder, he directs a team of professionals uniquely skilled with the ability to simultaneously evaluate projects through lenses of the , owner and developer.
Richard Cohn Sr.'s Bio
As founder and chairman of Cohn Construction, Richard continually seeks ways to positively impact the communities and States we operated in. He is a prominent member of the Midlands Community through his civic involvement, he is currently serving as Chairman of the Planning Commission and as a member of the American Arbitration Association. Richard uses his leadership and success as a means to help others and in 2011, he received the Palmetto Patriot award in recognition for his contributions to the state of South Carolina.
Professionally, Richard has over four decades of experience in the construction and development industry. He founded Cohn Construction in 1993 with the goal of creating a company focused on service, quality, and integrity. Under his leadership, the company continues to grow in capabilities, quality, and service.
To better serve clients who were looking to expand, Richard founded Cohn Development. Today, that partnership have grown to include holdings of commercial and industrial properties throughout the eastern United States. Richard leads the in-house development team with a long-term, relationship-based strategy.
Operations
Taylor Gaines Thomas's Bio
Taylor Joined the Company in 2009 with More than 10 Years of Financial and Management Experience. a Graduate of The University of South Carolina, She Received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with A Double Major in Finance and Management. Taylor Directs the Property Management Team and Oversees a Portfolio of Retail Shopping Center, Medical, Dental, Commercial Office and Industrial Warehouse Space of Over 825,000 Sf and Growing. Taylor Holds a Property Manager-In-Charge (pmic) License for The State of South Carolina. She Is a Member of The Institute of Real Estate Management (irem) and Crew Midlands. Her Greatest Accomplishments Are as A Proud and Loving Wife, Mother of Twins and Stepmother of Two.
Business Development, Marketing & Sales
Beth Frost's Bio
Beth is a graduate of the University of South Carolina College of Engineering, with a BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering. In her role as our Director of Business Development, Beth maximizes the organization’s recognition within the local and statewide communities and continually builds relationships with the business community. Beth also plays an active role in tracking projects until completion and makes sure the client is satisfied with the final product.
Beth currently serves on the board of directors for The Columbia Museum of Art Contemporaries as the Art Acquisition Chair, The Palmetto Health Hospital Cancer Center, and Central SC Alliance Committee of 100. She is also a committee member with the South Carolina Economic Developers Association and Calvary Young Leaders for the Atrium Society. She is an active member of Columbia Opportunity Resources, Carolina Alumni Association, Leadership Columbia Alumni Associations and Graduate of Leadership Columbia Class of 2012.
Jim Merkle's Bio
As the Director of Training and Development, Jim Merkle brings decades of experience to Cohn Corporation. Jim is responsible for the training, development, and engagement of our staff making our staff on the most equipped in the industry.
Jim comes to Cohn Construction after working in the business and executive consulting arena for more than 25 years. Previously, Jim has a successful career as President/CEO of a publicly traded company, Allied Digital Technologies, AMEX (ADK). He personally managed various construction projects and facilities expansions over a 15 year time span. Prior to that was a project manager at Eastman Kodak responsible for building and expanding laboratory facilities and earned his Professional Engineering license in New Jersey.
Jim has worked with hundreds of privately held companies from $5-70 million in sales. The engagements ranged from contractors, manufacturers, distributers, and professional service firms.
A University of Rochester graduate, Jim earned his degree in Chemical Engineering and completed various executive education courses at the University of Michigan. His expertise shines in the areas of project management, estimating, bidding, organizational controls, sales and marketing strategic initiatives, as well as budgeting and financial controls.