Locations
Pepper Construction Company of Ohio LLC
Senior Project Coordinator
Key Contacts
Owners, Principals & Senior Executives
Chris Averill's Bio
Chris provides overall leadership of operational and financial functions across the company. He joined Pepper in 2015 after working domestically and internationally in a Controller role that allowed him to focus on business operations as well as accounting. Eventually Chris moved into a CFO role with a company that was struggling to survive, which gave him even greater insights on how to balance both appropriate risk and fiscal responsibility.
In addition, Chris gained a different point of view on business management while working for a private equity firm where he had the opportunity to participate in many deals with different types of businesses. The perspectives gained from viewing companies both from the inside and the outside helped to inform Chris' management approach. It centers around empowering people and helping them to remove the real or perceived roadblocks that can deter companies from acting on good ideas.
Chris is an active member of the FMI CFO Forum, which contributes to developing insights that benefit the construction industry and fosters collaboration among its financial leaders.
Howie Piersma's Bio
Howie has been with Pepper for 33 years. He started when the company had only two personal computers and now directs information technology (IT) plans, schedules, policies and programs for the Pepper organization’s infrastructure, network communications and IT support.
Utilizing his management and technical skills as well as his years of experience, Howie is committed to the continuous improvement of IT innovation, initiatives and employee productivity.
Each year, Howie lectures at Northwestern University McCormick School of Engineering to the Master of Project Management students. His expertise makes him a sought-after expert for industry conferences and events, primarily focusing on technology adoption related to project and document management collaboration. Howie has served on the steering committee for the Associated General Contractors’ IT forum for the past four years and is the current chairman, and he is a member of the Technology Executive Network (TEN).
Jacqueline Lavigne's Bio
As chief marketing officer for Pepper Construction Company, Jacqueline leads the company’s growth strategy across business development, marketing and communications, where she focuses on relational approaches that drive metrics-based results. Jacqueline’s focus on integrating content, PR and communications strategies to support business development and operations has elevated Pepper’s brand position in the market. Jacqueline is also part of Pepper’s senior leadership team.
Jacqueline has 25 years of experience in the industry, including extensive experience in business and market planning and analytics. Before joining Pepper, she served as chief marketing officer for NELSON and as group vice president and marketing principal for global architecture firm HOK. Jacqueline holds a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Environmental Design in Architecture from North Carolina State University, and she is a LEED AP.
Jacqueline is dedicated to the Ride Janie Ride Foundation, which assists individuals facing financial hardship resulting from ongoing medial treatment of various types of cancer. She is also a member of the City Club of Chicago. In 2015, Jacqueline co-authored the Changing Role of the CMO, featured in SMPS Marketer.
Jake Pepper's Bio
Jake leads Pepper’s Integrated Construction Services (ICS) team, bringing our preconstruction services, technical services, and high performance/sustainability capabilities together and in alignment with our safety, quality and self perform programs in a way that best serves our clients. This group is comprised of people that represent some of the most advanced thought leadership in our industry—investigating new technologies, evaluating new methodologies and creating innovative solutions in the field to help our clients recognize their vision. He works closely with IT to align project technology with business applications, and his experience in project management benefits operations by providing integrated platforms designed to bring efficiencies at both the business and project level.
Starting in 2002, Jake worked at Pepper in various summer internships. But after graduating from college, Jake decided to explore different opportunities in the fields of engineering and finance. By the Spring of 2013, he felt ready to bring his new perspectives on the business world back to Pepper and joined the company as a project manager. In 2015, he began working with the IT department to provide strategic direction on business-critical initiatives. Jake also provides support and insight to our virtual construction and high performance groups, and is leading initiatives related to our long-term facilities plans.
Jake completed his MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business. In addition to serving as a guest speaker for the Masters of Project Management program at Northwestern, he is an active member of CMUG, CMiC’s user community, as well as the Urban Land Institute. Outside of work, Jake volunteers as a math mentor for students involved with the POSSE Foundation and has a passion for environmental issues, including clean water and sustainable urban farming.
Paul Francois's Bio
Paul is responsible for overseeing the financial and operational success of Pepper Ohio. He began his career with Pepper serving in project management, after earning his Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University. He gained a broad range of project experience, from healthcare to industrial projects, and with specializations in commercial interior and institutional projects, where he worked with some of Pepper's most established clients. He also demonstrated a keen understanding of business acumen and company leadership that made him a natural fit to assume the role of president in 2006.
Paul is active in industry organizations, currently serving as a board member and the chair of the facilities committee for Junior Achievement of Central Ohio and as an Industry Advisory Council board member at Iowa State University. A strong advocate for community involvement, Paul also invests his time with several central Ohio charities and educational programs, such as the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Junior Achievement and the Little Miami River Clean-Up.
Shannan Ghera's Bio
Shannan is a leading voice in brand and corporate communications. With more than 20 years of experience, Shannan ensures that Pepper's communications with the public and our employees align with the company's values in support of both our business and our clients' interests.
Her efforts include reputation management, media and stakeholder relations, digital and social communications and brand development and positioning.
Shannan is a member of PRSA, IABC, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Oklahoma and actively supports the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago.
Stan Pepper's Bio
As chairman and chief executive officer of The Pepper Companies, Stan is responsible for setting the strategic direction and overall resource management. Stan began working at the company in the field at the age of 15, and quickly rose through the ranks while working in many areas across the organization such as carpentry, marketing and project management along the way. At age 32, Stan became president of Pepper Construction Company.
Stan also worked in private equity, consulting, software development and sustainable products, gaining a broader perspective and additional leadership experience in the industry. In 2015, Stan returned to The Pepper Companies with a management philosophy that has been greatly influenced by his diverse industry experiences as well as by his father, Richard, and his grandfathers, Pepper founder Stanley F. Pepper and Dr. Roscoe Miller, former president of Northwestern University. Stan’s leadership style is routed in serving those he leads, with particular emphasis on capitalizing on new technologies and creating an environment that encourages a multi-generational team approach.
A leading voice supporting innovation in the construction industry, Stan serves on the BIM Forum and is involved in the community as chairman of the McGraw Wildlife Foundation. Stan is an Executive Committee member at his alma mater, Monmouth College.
Tim Sullivan's Bio
Tim serves as Pepper’s in-house counsel. With more than 20 years of experience in the construction industry, including work in project design, construction management and post-construction dispute resolution, Tim brings a unique perspective to his advisory role.
Before pursuing his law degree, Tim earned his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from West Point. It was during this time that his appreciation for respectful leadership was developed. He carried it into his first private sector engineering job where he also learned the value of employee empowerment for shared success. His work representing project owners in dispute resolutions eventually triggered a desire for a career in the legal profession. Upon graduation from law school, he received a job offer from a construction practice group, which enabled him to capitalize on all aspects of his professional training.
Tim serves the industry as a labor management representative for the Builder's Association and the Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association (MARBA). In this capacity, he collaborates with labor leadership in the Chicago area to craft and manage ongoing relationships. Tim is a member of the Illinois bar and also remains a licensed professional engineer in several states.