LeChase Construction Services LLC

A vice president based in Rochester, Brian Russo has operational oversight on various initiatives, joint ventures, and projects. He leads several LeChase initiatives aimed at improving various processes and operations within the company. He began his construction career in 1997, serving as a project engineer, cost estimator and chief estimator at other firms before joining LeChase as director of preconstruction services in 2011. He became an operations manager in 2013, and was appointed to his current position in 2016. Brian has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He is a member of the American Society of Professional Estimators and a former participant of Boston’s Future Leaders Program – a top professional platform for emerging business executives. He completed the Future Construction Leaders program offered by the Associated General Contractors of New York, and has LEED AP® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Cheryl Schmidt is vice president and director of People & Culture at LeChase, with responsibility for organizational development (OD), talent acquisition and human resources (HR). Known for hands-on engagement, she joined LeChase in 2015 with a unique blend of experience leading both OD and HR teams. She was named a vice president in 2022. Her career spans over 25 years in healthcare, non-profit, construction, and consulting settings. She has a master’s degree in human resources development and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, both from St. John Fisher College. She also has accreditation as a Senior Certified Professional from the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM-SCP) and as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Cheryl is an active member of the National Human Resources Association (NHRA) and the Association for Talent Development (ATD). She has served as a volunteer for several Rochester community organizations and is currently a board member for the Mary Cariola Center, where she chairs the HR Committee and serves on the Scholarship Committee. Cheryl has spoken at several industry conferences, including ACIG and AGC-NYS, and has been a guest speaker at the Rochester Institute of Technology and St. John Fisher College.

David Campbell is a vice president in the Armonk office, where he focuses on new business and growth opportunities in the tri-state area around New York City. He joined LeChase in 2014 as a project executive, managing several large accounts throughout New York State, and providing support to corporate initiatives around Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC). He was promoted to his current role in 2016. David began his construction career in 1985, and before coming to LeChase was vice president at both a NY-based construction group and a large, multinational construction and development company. A lecturer in construction management at New York University from 1997 to 2000, he also served on the advisory council for Stanford University’s Center for Integrated Facility Engineering. He has completed several executive and leadership programs at Harvard University and Cornell University, holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Warren National University, and is certified in BIM and Lean construction by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America. In January 2018, David was named to the board of the Business Council of Westchester.

Frederick (Fred) Sciliano is a vice president in the Armonk office, where he manages LeChase’s core clients and oversees the company’s local self-perform work. He joined LeChase as a project executive in 2015 as part of the acquisition of C.W. Brown Construction. Fred began his construction career in 1978, and in the decades that followed he gained extensive experience in all facets of commercial construction – from estimating to supervision to project management. He serves as chairman of the Building Contractors Association (BCA) of Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region, and as a trustee of the BCA’s Construction Advancement Institute. He is also on the board of trustees in the town of Harrison, N.Y., where he previously served as chairman of the Architectural Review Board and chief of the West Harrison Fire Department. Fred is a founding member of the Harrison Fire Prevention Board. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, N.J.

James (Jim) J. McAuliffe brings a wealth of financial experience and national perspective to the LeChase executive leadership team.

In his role, Jim provides guidance on strategic initiatives and the firm’s continued financial growth as well as oversight of the finance, human resources and IT functions.

Prior to joining LeChase in 2020, Jim served as CFO and executive director for NPXe, a pharmaceutical and drug delivery device company. Over his 25-year career he has developed expertise in planning and forecasting, contract negotiations, risk management and a number of other financial disciplines. He has a B.S. degree in accounting and an executive MBA, both from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and is a Certified Public Accountant in New York State.

With a track record for enhancing profitability and financial processes, Jim also displays the type of personal integrity that is core to the LeChase culture.

With two decades of industry experience, Kyle L. Sayers brings well-rounded expertise and knowledge of field and office operations to the LeChase team, overseeing the management of projects and client relationships, and providing direction and leadership to support the team’s continuous growth.

Kyle began carving his construction career path as a teen, working as a carpenter and heavy-equipment operator for a residential contractor, farmer and the local municipality where he grew up. He continued honing his skills as a project manager for DiMarco Constructors Corporation. In 1997, he brought his passion for the business to LeChase, joining the ranks as a project engineer. Since that time, he has worked on a wide range of projects and markets in various capacities including director of preconstruction and director of field operations. He has significant experience leading teams and customers from the initial conception of a project to beyond its completion, with a keen focus on maintaining excellence in customer relations. Kyle was promoted to vice president in 2008 and named executive vice president in 2012. He was appointed chief operating officer in late 2018.

Kyle is a graduate of the Green Building Contractors’ Future Construction Leaders of New York State Program. An active member within the Rochester community, he co-chaired the Highland Hospital Foundation Gala in 2016, and is a member of the Sons of the American Legion—Matthew Clary Post. He is also a New York State Troopers PBA Signal 30 trustee.

He earned his B.S. degree in civil engineering technology from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and acts as an advisory board member for the university’s construction management program. He was named Distinguished Alumnus by RIT’s College of Engineering Technology in 2019.

Kyle’s business acumen and knowledge of every phase of the construction process makes him a valued asset to LeChase, and his dedication and understanding of client needs aims to further solidify the organization’s core ideology and values.

Lee Sommerman, vice president, is responsible for growing LeChase’s business in Rochester and Central New York. In that role, he manages local client, employee and subcontractor relationships, oversees daily operations and works to ensure LeChase delivers services and projects that meet or exceed client expectations. Lee was named regional operations manager in  2013, having gained extensive experience as a project manager and project executive working on industrial, research and power facilities. He was appointed a vice president in early 2019. A career-long LeChase employee, Lee joined the company as a project engineer in 1995 after graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in civil engineering. He also has an A.A.S. in architecture from Alfred State College and LEED AP® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. In 2002, he completed the Future Construction Leaders program offered by the Associated General Contractors of New York.

When R. Wayne LeChase succeeded his father as president and CEO of LeChase in 1981, the change in leadership introduced a fresh management style that reinvigorated the company and attracted an abundance of extremely qualified construction professionals. In 1997, Wayne also added managing partner to his title. In 2007, Wayne assumed the role of chairman and appointed William (Bill) H. Goodrich as CEO, also naming Bill managing partner in 2008. As chairman, Wayne continues to play an active role in shaping the firm’s strategy.

Prior to joining LeChase, Wayne practiced law at the offices of Johnson, Reif & Mullan, and later worked as a partner at the law firm of LaDuca, Offen & LeChase.

In addition to being a consistently effective leader and entrepreneur, Wayne believes in the importance of civic responsibility and is a champion of many important community initiatives. He is a former member of the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce (formerly Rochester Business Alliance) and is also a Life Trustee of the University of Rochester, Emeritus Trustee of St. John Fisher College and McQuaid Jesuit High School, and the former chairman of Greater Rochester Enterprise.

Wayne’s education includes a B.S. degree in business administration from John Carroll University and a J.D. degree from University at Buffalo Law School. He was awarded the Herbert W. Vanden Brul Entrepreneurial Award by Rochester Institute of Technology’s College of Business in 2004. In 2005, he was inducted into the Rochester Business Hall of Fame, a program created to recognize exemplary leaders who have made outstanding and enduring contributions to business and community in the Greater Rochester region. Wayne also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Builders Exchange of Rochester in 2013. In 2018, the Rochester Business Journal presented him with an ICON Honors award in recognition of his career achievements and strong leadership both within and outside the construction industry.

A self-described extrovert, he exemplifies the principles of honesty, trustworthiness and integrity, and is extremely generous with his time, knowledge and resources. Wayne is the standard bearer for the characteristics essential to LeChase and is an engaged part of the firm’s ongoing commitment to its clients, employees and communities.

The University of Rochester (UR) has posted an online tribute honoring Wayne and Beverly LeChase for their commitment to the university over the past 30 years, and celebrating the overall contributions of the LeChase organization to those across the university community.

Thomas (Tom) O’Gara joined LeChase as general counsel in 2017, and was named vice president in 2020. In his role, he is responsible for the oversight of all LeChase’s legal affairs and for enhancing the company’s risk management program. Prior to working at LeChase, Tom was a partner in a Rochester law firm where he concentrated his practice on construction litigation and represented LeChase as outside counsel on several legal matters. He has experience in commercial litigation, contract law, insurance, surety law and general construction matters. Tom is a cum laude graduate of both Albany Law School of Union University (J.D.) and Siena College (B.A). In 2021, Tom was among the honorees at Rochester’s Legal Excellence Awards, being recognized in the In-House Counsel category. He is currently chairman of the planning board for the Village of Fairport and a member of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) In-House Counsel Group.

William (Bill) H. Goodrich began his construction career as an assistant project manager for John P. Bell & Son, Inc. prior to bringing his knowledge and experience to LeChase in 1985. Since that time, Bill has been an integral part of the LeChase team, serving in a variety of progressive roles throughout the span of his career. Bill was appointed vice president and partner in 1995, chief operating officer in 1997, president in 2002, CEO in 2007 and managing partner in 2008. Currently, as CEO and managing partner, Bill is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the organization, defining the culture, promoting a safe and healthy work environment and driving customer engagement.

He also mentors and empowers the executive management team through the entire organization to always do the right thing. Bill’s drive to elevate LeChase has led the firm in continuous adaptation to changing market conditions, increased revenue growth and driven organizational performance. He has overseen mergers and acquisitions as another way to strategically fortify the business. LeChase acquired C.C. Woods Construction Co. in Durham, N.C., in 2005; Northeast Construction Services in Syracuse, N.Y., in 2010; J. F. Schultze Construction in Charlotte, N.C., in 2011; and C. W. Brown in Armonk, N.Y., in 2015. In 2016, the company purchased Lendlease construction offices in Upstate New York and Raleigh-Durham to expand the organization’s talent and strength along the East Coast.

Bill is actively involved with several affiliations both regionally and nationally. He is a board member for the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Greater Rochester Enterprise, CMAC Performing Arts Center, Hillside Children’s Center and Lifetime Healthcare, and for many years supported Rochester Careers in Construction—a program that connects high school faculty and students with experts in the construction industry. He is a former board member for Nazareth Academy School, Junior Achievement, Boy Scouts of America and Rochester Downtown Development Corporation. He is also a member of the Associated General Contractors of America.

Bill earned a B.S. degree in business from Roberts Wesleyan College and an A.A.S. degree in construction engineering technology from Alfred State, the State University of New York College of Technology, where he was also the recipient of a President’s Medallion in 2010 and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 2014. He completed the Harvard Business School’s OPM program—an eMBA-style professional development program—in the spring of 2016.

Bill is a true champion of the core values that personify LeChase: safety, integrity, quality, customer care, diversity, family and community.

An integral part of the firm since 1993, William (Will) L. Mack was promoted to executive vice president and principal in 2002. In 2015, he was named president, taking on the additional responsibilities of the firm’s organizational structure, short- and long-term strategic implementation and customer and community connectivity. In addition to his leadership position with LeChase, he is also responsible for the engagement and organization of two of the firm’s joint ventures—Conifer-LeChase Construction and Carolina LeChase—serving as managing partner for each and representing LeChase’s side of the business.

A third-generation construction professional, Will entered the business at a very young age—journeying through the industry’s ranks during school breaks and later as a field engineer during college. Prior to joining the LeChase team, he worked at Edgewater Construction Co. and William J. McNeary Development Co. Will’s career of diverse expertise in project management, finance, real estate and business strategy now brings a wealth of knowledge and proven success to LeChase, and the skills he’s worked tirelessly to acquire are now used in planning the firm’s “get good work” strategy.

Will is actively involved with several affiliations, both regionally and nationally. He currently serves on the board for the Mary Cariola Children’s Center and the YMCA of Greater Rochester. He is also a member of Vistage—an international peer-to-peer membership organization for business executives. Will is a former board member for Builders Exchange of Rochester and the Rochester Area Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis, as well as a former member of the Village of Fairport Planning Board. He also served alongside Bill Goodrich, LeChase CEO and managing partner, as co-executive leader of the American Heart Association’s 2015 Rochester Heart Walk, an annual community event that celebrates heart health and a commitment to take a stand against heart disease.

Will’s education includes a B.S. degree in finance from Siena College. Additionally, he has participated in various trade- and industry-specific programs and training.

Will leads the organization to focus every day on a common goal—a commitment to building strong partnerships with LeChase’s customers, employees and communities through safety, quality, innovation and values.

As vice president of Preconstruction, Peter Muench leads the LeChase team. He is responsible for developing, maintaining, and overseeing all functions of assigned projects at the preconstruction phase. He is also responsible to for the implementation of AEC technology throughout the company, as well as addressing safety, construction planning and cost-control procedures. Peter started his construction career in 2000 and joined LeChase in 2005, progressing through roles in estimating, engineering, procurement and preconstruction. He was named director of Preconstruction in 2015, and appointed a vice president in early 2018. Peter earned a B.S. in civil engineering technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology. In 2021, Peter received his Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) accreditation from the American Hospital Association Active within the community, he is a board member of the Victor NY Food Cupboard and SUNY Canton Industrial Advisory Board.

Jerrod Garrett was named director of Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) in early 2018. In this role, Jerrod has overall responsibility for the company’s safety program, which continues to target a goal of zero incidents among employees, subcontractors and visitors on LeChase jobsites and offices. He leads efforts around policy, training, tracking and reporting and manages a team of regional safety managers across company operations. Jerrod came to the company as the regional safety manager for Western New York in 2012, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the field of industrial health and safety. Prior to joining LeChase, he spent ten years in the power/energy industry. This included an assignment as corporate safety director for engineering and construction at a large energy company, where he had EH&S responsibility for $1.6 billion of capital projects at several refineries. Jerrod studied occupational health and safety at Louisiana State University, and in 2016 he earned accreditation from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals as a Certified Health and Safety Technician (CHST).

Vice President James (Jim) McKenna leads the company’s pursuit and management of design-build projects. He also oversees the real estate development sector and manages key projects throughout LeChase’s operations. Starting as project engineer, Jim advanced through various construction management roles over the course of his career. Before joining LeChase in early 2021, he served for ten years as vice president of construction at a leading commercial real estate development and management company. There, he supported new development opportunities and oversaw design and construction of projects from the earliest concepts through closeout and occupancy. Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Ohio University, and is certified as a Design-Build Professional® through the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA).  Jim serves on the board of the Upstate New York chapter of DBIA and is involved in various community activities in the Rochester, N.Y. area.

Joel Hall has served as LeChase quality director since 2007. In his role, he oversees the company’s quality standards – establishing processes, developing training and performing site inspections to ensure project teams meet or exceed those standards. Joel started his construction career working for a local architect in 1996. Since joining LeChase as an associate architect/project manager in 2001, he has gained substantial experience in design-build and construction management. Joel graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.F.A. in industrial design. He holds several industry accreditations including CM-Lean (Certificate of Management – Lean Construction) from the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), and LEED AP® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) from the U.S. Green Building Council. Joel has also held Level 2 Building Envelope Certification (BEC-2) since 2014.

Patrick (Pat) Smally joined LeChase as director of Risk Management in May 2018. Pat has more than 25 years of experience providing comprehensive risk and financial oversight for firms in the construction industry in both New York and California. Prior to joining LeChase, he served as vice president of risk management for a large general contracting firm in Western New York. Pat has a BA in economics and finance from Southern New Hampshire University. He is an annual participant in the Ride for Roswell, one of the nation’s largest cycling events to benefit cancer research and patient care programs.

Gregory (Greg) Barkstrom joined LeChase as director of Real Estate Development in July 2018. In his role, he manages the company’s real estate assets and has responsibility for evaluating and managing future development opportunities. Greg has more than 25 years of experience in real estate. Prior to joining LeChase, he managed the retail development portfolio for a Rochester-area firm. He has extensive knowledge in all aspects of development including sale/lease negotiations, property opportunity evaluation and site selection. Greg has a BA in economics from Le Moyne College and is a licensed New York State Real Estate Broker.

As vice president of business development, Russell (Rusty) Smith is responsible for companywide marketing and business development efforts, including growing brand awareness and enhancing customer engagement. Rusty came to LeChase in 2014 as regional director of business development for the Southern Tier region of New York, having previously served as vice president and partner of a construction firm in Ithaca, N.Y. Prior to that, he spent 16 years in business development and management roles at another construction firm in the region. He became LeChase’s corporate business development director at the end of 2016 and was named a vice president in early 2018. Rusty is active in the Corning community, where he serves as a commissioner of the city’s planning board.

Barbara Sauer became corporate controller in 2015 and was named vice president of finance in early 2019. In her role, she is responsible for all financial operations of the company. She oversees accounting and finance; financial planning, analysis and reporting; taxes, payroll; operations support and special initiatives. Before joining LeChase as assistant corporate controller in 2011, Barbara spent more than 20 years at local and regional non-profit organizations, serving in roles that ranged from accounting manager to CFO and vice president of finance. Barbara has served as a director on several non-profit boards. She has an executive MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology and a BS in accounting from St. John Fisher College.

As director of information technology, Bing Paesang is responsible for the development, facilitation, management and security of the company’s information technology program, training, and resources. Prior to joining LeChase in 2014, Bing spent more than 25 years in diverse IT disciplines leading the development, deployment and support of global enterprise application systems, business intelligence, infrastructure and information security frameworks across a variety of industries. Bing has a B.S. degree in applied mathematics from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and actively participates in various construction industry and information technology focused groups.