Clayco

Anthony creatively solves the most complex industrial real estate challenges facing corporations who are aiming to optimize and expand their manufacturing, supply chain, and industrial operations. By leveraging his industry-wide relationships and vast experience in real estate and construction, Anthony delivers Distribution, Manufacturing, Aerospace/Aviation, and Food & Beverage facilities for the world’s most innovative companies.

Bob started Clayco with the goal of finding new, better ways to do business, and hasn’t looked back since. Over the past 30+ years, Bob has grown Clayco into one of the top full-service building firms in North America while building Clayco’s commitment to the communities in which they work and becoming a national civic and business leader. Bob has established and nurtured a culture of innovation, collaboration and a can-do attitude that continues to make Clayco the best option for clients, and one of the best places to work in the country.

ASSOCIATIONS

Educational Affiliations
Board of Trustees, University of Chicago Medical Center
Board Member, Central Institute for the Deaf (Past President of The Board)
Scientific Advisory Council for Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis
Saint Louis University Trustee (past)
Trustee, Loyola University Chicago

Civic Affiliations
Trustee, Construction Career Development Initiative
Presidential Appointment to the White House Preservation Committee
Greater Chicago Food Depository Board of Directors
Member, Economic Club of Chicago

Business Affiliations
Member, Urban Land Institute (ULI)
Member, Young Presidents Organization (Past Chapter Chair)
World Business Chicago
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

Cultural Affiliations
Board Member, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Board Member, Forest Park Forever
Director, Chicago Architecture Biennial
Business Council of the Art Institute of Chicago

Carmen works with Caroline and together they lead Clayco’s legal team with the simple goal of delivering fair, efficient, collaborative, and streamlined contracts and other legal documents necessary for Clayco to deliver on-time and as-promised to its clients.  Clayco’s legal team touches nearly every aspect of its business and its people, with a continued effort to provide no-nonsense real life solutions for our clients and their communities.  Carmen is deeply committed to exceeding Clayco’s philosophy that its work and role in the community results in powerful structures with impacts that reach ‘far beyond these walls’.

EDUCATION

Juris Doctor, New York University School of Law – New York, New York
Political Science and Communications Hunter College, City University of New York – New York, New York

EXPERTISE

After more than 26 years of experience practicing law in large law firms, representing clients in commercial, real estate, corporate, financial and litigation matters in US courts, Ms. Hernandez has a broad area of expertise. She routinely leads representation of Clayco and its affiliates in the preparation of complex design-build and construction management agreements and related agreements, as well as in corporate, employment, and litigation matters.

Eric, with a Construction Engineering degree from Oklahoma State, is a Senior VP managing Clayco’s Phoenix office. He brings 35 years of experience in development and construction management, and has held senior level positions within national firms. During this time, he has developed a very versatile skill set as his career path has included positions as jobsite laborer, concrete testing technician, project engineer, project manager, estimator, business developer, operations manager, development manager and various director and vice president positions.

Joined Clayco in 1994 as a Senior Project Manager, and has led the development of key client relationships and project execution for companies such as Amazon, Dow, Sysco, and Dollar General. In Jeff’s new role, he will provide an elevated focus to drive growth and innovation through new and existing clients of the Industrial Business Unit, while maintaining Clayco’s industry and market leading status in the domestic e-Commerce and Distribution segments. Jeff’s level of dedication to our customers and how he shares his industry expertise with them, is a model for how “Doing the Right Thing” is the secret sauce behind Clayco’s success.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology – Rolla, Missouri

EXPERTISE

Jeff is responsible for the initial Project Budget and CPM Schedule. He helps manage the preconstruction team.

James M. Havel serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Clayco Enterprise. In this role, Jim works directly with Tony Schofield, who remains CFO of the individual Clayco businesses. Tony focuses on strategic initiatives and establishing the Clark family office. Together, Tony and Jim steer the financial systems and performance.

Jim’s financial and operational expertise, as well as proven experience with some of St Louis’s most respected organizations, aids our finance leadership team in insuring Clayco takes full benefit of the challenges and opportunities associated with the significant growth the company has experienced.

Jim and his wife, Mary Beth, have two adult sons, both living in St. Louis.  Please join me in welcoming Jim to Clayco.

Before joining Clayco, Havel served as EVP, Chief Financial Officer of Express Scripts and Major Brands Holdings, a privately-held beverage distribution company. He also spent more than 34 years with Ernst & Young LLP, where he began his career in 1976. During his time with Ernst & Young LLP, Havel served as an audit partner and in a number of firm leadership roles, including as managing partner of the St Louis office. Havel is a member of the board of directors of Enterprise Financial Services Corp. and is a Certified Public Accountant.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Accounting, Regis University |Denver, Colorado

Justin is responsible for the accounting, finance, treasury, tax, and corporate insurance functions for the Clayco operating businesses and serves as CFO for the Clayco Foundation and CCDI. Justin has over 20 years of financial leadership experience at Fortune 100 to venture-backed organizations across multiple industries. 

Justin earned his MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting from Indiana University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

As a registered architect in 34 states, including California, Lamar leads a multi-disciplinary practice that invigorates his clients’ businesses by simultaneously expressing their values, supporting their culture, and expressing their legacy through architecture. In understanding his client’s objectives, Lamar is both an active listener and a strong leader for facilitating, coordinating, and implementing a clients’ vision. Lamar moved to Chicago more than 20 years ago to open and lead a new office for a large global design firm. Under his leadership, the firm grew to become the largest architecture firm in the Chicago area, providing services to the region’s most prestigious clients.

Lori oversees Clayco’s enterprise activity for development, design, and construction related activities in the greater Chicago area and surrounding region. From leading the NATO 2012 Summit to CEO of a global investment and advisory firm, Lori brings unmatched experience in the public and private sectors.

Prior to joining Clayco, Lori was CEO for the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, owner of McCormick Place, North America’s largest convention center, Hyatt Regency McCormick Place, Marriott Marquis Chicago, and Wintrust Arena.

In the private sector, Lori served as CEO of Tur Partners, LLC., Principal in Charge of the Development Group for the John Buck Company, and principal at Perkins +Will. In 2012, Lori was the ‘executive on loan’ for the NATO Summit in Chicago.

One of Lori’s strengths is bringing together private and public leaders. For example, Lori was President of Chicago 2016, responsible for leading Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympic Games. Lori held several senior leadership positions for the City of Chicago under the administration of Mayor Richard M. Daley, including Chief of Staff and Commissioner of the City’s Department of Planning and Development.

ASSOCIATIONS

Local Initiatives Support Chicago (LISC), Board Member
World Business Chicago, Board Member
Loyola University Health System, Board Member
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation, Board Member
Chicago Fire Department Foundation, Board Member
Economic Club of Chicago
Commercial Club of Chicago
Chicago Network

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Kansas State University | Manhattan, Kansas
Master of Science in Public Administration, Kansas State University | Manhattan, Kansas

Mac has almost twenty years of diverse professional experience in construction and wakes up every day thinking of ways that varied experience can be leveraged for the benefit of his clients. During Mac’s time in the industry, he has serviced clients of various markets including Higher Education, Healthcare, Cultural, Corporate, K-12, Life Sciences and Municipal facilities, delivering projects for both public and private sector clients.

Mac has spent much of his time in construction collaborating on complex, multi-stakeholder Aviation projects with air carrier and airport clients and focuses on protecting the passenger experience from early project planning through final closeout. Whether it is a terminal renovation/expansion project, a recapitalized baggage system, replacement of airport systems, installation of new passenger boarding bridges, new bag claims, or upgrades to air carrier ticketing and hold room areas, Mac is always looking to drive additional value into projects while preserving quality and design intent, and at the same time looking to accelerate projects to speed revenue generation.

Rob Jernigan’s years of experience have been driven by his deep understanding of the science of architecture and his desire to continually improve upon it. Rob possesses an instinctive ability to bring together diverse teams on behalf of a common goal, whether that goal is a high-rise office tower or a community outreach program.

From pioneering fast-track methods for expediting delivery in the public and private sectors to redefining the state-of-the-art investment-grade commercial building through the integration of sustainable design, Rob has remained in the vanguard. Rob’s work includes multiple award-winning and highly complex projects.

What Inspires You?
—

“I grew up with the belief that you leave places better than you found them and that passion drove me to the design and construction industry.  I believe through our commitment and with our clients that we can make our communities better through our expertise with sustainable placemaking – together we all strive to leave the community and places we impact better than we found them.”

Russ has over 30 years of diversified design-build experience and has held several leadership positions throughout the industry. Russ has been president of the Clayco enterprise consisting of all operating businesses since 2008 and was named Clayco’s CEO in 2019. He works with clients and Clayco’s leadership to promote collaboration & innovation across the Clayco enterprise and its subsidiaries throughout the country. Russ ensures that a client’s vision is understood in every step of the process.

ASSOCIATIONS

Associated General Contractors, past president
St. Thomas Health Services Foundation, board member
Jr. Achievement, Board of Directors
YMCA, Board of Directors
Seton Society
Westminister Christian Academy, Executive Committee, Board of Directors

EDUCATION

Bachelors of Business Administration, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Masters Exegetical Theology, Covenant Seminary
Commissioned in the 2nd Lt. in USAF October, 1982
USAF Flight training – November, 1983
Tennessee Air National Guard – 1985–2004 Retired

Ryan will provide executive oversight for Southwest Region operations. With over two decades of experience, he is a modern construction leader, builder, national lecturer, and educator on alternative project delivery methods. Ryan embraces Integrated Project Delivery and Lean concepts, and his talent for understanding complex, highly technical, large-scale projects has been demonstrated on jobs which have collectively netted 57 awards for excellence. Ryan will be responsible for managing the team and the success of the project.

Sandra addresses external areas of outreach, alignment of community resources and impactful improvement of the design and construction industry—locally and nationwide. Internally, Sandra focuses on talent management and development, including mission, vision and culture. Sandra also plays a critical part in strategic planning for the entire Clayco enterprise, including Lamar Johnson Collaborative, Concrete Strategies and Ventana. In addition, Sandra continues to operate and own Marks & Associates, a firm she founded in 1986. Marks & Associates has been a leader in the development of minority businesses and community MBE/WBE programs nationwide, and more recently she has been offering direct supplier and workforce diversity program management. Sandra’s unique perspective on diversification as a means to impacting cultural norms creates a more vibrant and productive community and industry, one that will complement Clayco’s integrated philosophical approach to solving complex project requirements.

REGISTRATIONS/ACCREDITATIONS

University of Missouri St. Louis – Distinguished Alumni
St. Louis Business Journal Character Profile – 2011
St. Louis Minority Supplier Development Council-Advocate of the Year
St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers – Advocate of the Year
Small Business Administration – Advocate of the Year
“Make a Difference” Award – The Minority Youth In Construction Program

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Chair, Diversity Committee, St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers
Member, Advisory Board, Regional Union Contracting Center
Board Member, ARCHS
Board Member, Antioch In The Ville
Consortium for Graduate Students in Management
INROADS, Inc.
Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Member, Economic Review Council, 2005
Member, Construction Diversity Task Force
Former Director, The Business of Construction Course (AGC of St. Louis and Washington University in St. Louis)

EDUCATION

Masters in Business Administration -Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor of Science Business Administration, (Magna Cum Laude) – University of Missouri St. Louis

Shawn Clark serves as President of CRG. With over a decade in the commercial real estate industry, Shawn is responsible for providing strategic direction of the company and managing day-to-day operations. In addition, Shawn maintains an active role in deal structuring, fund and project level financing activities, development management, and asset management. Shawn earned his Master’s degree in Real Estate Finance from DePaul University and his Bachelor’s degree in Construction Science and Management from Clemson University. Shawn is the founder of Illumination, an immersive theatrical event that raises money for rare disease research and is a Co-Chair of the associate board for the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

Todd manages and directs Clayco’s safety team, field responsibilities, and marketing efforts to exceed corporate safety goals and client expectations. Todd is a dedicated safety leader whose strengths include collaborating with others to achieve excellence, executing safety initiatives and processes to successful completion, holding himself and others accountable and persistently pursuing the goal of getting everyone home safe every day.

Tom has 29 years of experience in managing and overseeing some of the most challenging corporate office projects in the country. Tom oversees corporate projects that are delivered in time-frames that normally cannot be met. His extensive experience in partnering with clients and all of the team members to find the best, most cost-effective solution has been a hallmark of his success time and again. His transparent management style is part of Clayco’s culture and it allows our corporate customers to feel confident and stay focused on their business, knowing that their building project is in the hands of the best team.

ASSOCIATIONS

Executive Committee & Board of Directors for Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club
President & Executive Committee for CCDI, Clayco Career Development Institute
Board Member Loop Trolley St. Louis

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering University of Missouri – Rolla, Missouri
Master of Business Administration, University of Missouri – St. Louis, Missouri

EXPERTISE

Tom excels at working in a team environment that challenges every member to find the most collaborative solution for the client. Providing timely and comprehensive information will streamline the decision making process and help the client to select the best long term solution.

Karen oversees Clayco’s Diversity and Inclusion for the Chicago Business Unit reporting to Lori Healey and working hand-in-hand with our Office of Government and Community Affairs to ensure consistency in our corporate policies, procedures, and programs being implemented nationwide. With 20+ years of experience specializing in compliance monitoring of construction contracts with extensive expertise in MBE/WBE inclusion from project conception through facility occupancy, she brings a depth of community relation strategies to increase MBE/WBE participation as well as local hiring initiatives, constructive hiring workforce policies and alternative dispute resolution.

Karen began her career as an independent consultant recognizing as organizations and society become increasingly diverse there was the need for compliance requirements with all public and private MBE/WBE services. The understanding of intergroup relations and processes when it comes to diversity and inclusion is why she fervently researched, designed and implemented successful reporting systems to determine the effectiveness of MBE/WBE plans. With the success of these mechanisms, she eventually becomes a liaison for employers, government entities and community organizations alike. She was able to capture the myriad of processes that may interfere with the value of diversity and change that dynamic for the clients aiding them in a considerably essential growth and management of MBE/WBE talent.

As her career evolved, she spent a considerable amount of time as a Strategic Management Consultant for a prominent diversity and inclusion firm that specializes in procurement and workforce policies. One of her most prominent projects was the Cook County Central Campus Health Department project, where she served as the Compliance Project Manager and Clayco, Inc. was the developer and design/builder. Karen utilized her expertise with MBE/WBE compliance to further the outreach of inclusion within the communities she served with staunch campaigns to attract more diverse and contractors in bidding opportunities – ensuring established goals were being met.

During her tenure at the University of Chicago, Karen championed the strategies toward embedding diversity in all aspects of the university’s design and construction projects.

As the Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Clayco, Karen’s experience within the construction industry and inclusion expertise will assist in the progressive strategic direction, leadership and community outreach for our Chicago office.

EDUCATION

Master of Science in Human Services Administration | Spertus College of Jewish Studies, Chicago, IL

Bachelor of Science in Career Counseling | Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Associate of Applied Science in Construction Management | Kennedy King College, Chicago, IL

Dan Gibbons serves Clayco as Director of Economic Development.  Gibbons, a life-long Chicagoan, advisor to Mayors and respected philanthropic and civic engagement connector, works to expand Clayco’s development, design and construction business throughout the Chicago region.

Dan currently serves as founding co-Chair of Navy Pier’s Associates Board, is on the Board of Directors of the Magnificent Mile Association, the New Coast Foundation and the Chicago Fire Department Foundation, the Auxiliary Board of the Shedd Aquarium, the Young Leaders Steering Committee of the American Ireland Fund, the Congressional Medal of Honor Chicago Host Committee and the Board of Regents for St. Ignatius College Prep.  He is a Senior Advisor to the mayoral transition of Lori E. Lightfoot and also advises the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, the US Conference of Mayors, and numerous startup companies and non-profit organizations.  Dan received his MBA from the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business and his BA in Political Science from Marquette University.  He lives in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood with his wife, Kate and their two young sons.

ASSOCIATIONS

Symposia for the Academy of Achievement
Metropolitan Mayors Caucus
Great Lakes Cities Initiative

EDUCATION

M.B.A., University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business| Notre Dame, Indiana
B.A., Marquette University | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

As Executive Director of the marketing and communications team, Sarah is responsible for the overall strategic messaging and visual representation of the Clayco Brand. With over 20 years at Clayco, she leads the creative team to support internal clients’ creative initiatives to ensure they are in alignment with the Clayco brand. This includes a high volume and variety of marketing and communications collateral as well as philanthropic material for the Clayco Foundation. In addition, Sarah is responsible for earned, owned and shared media strategies, storytelling and strategic branding/messaging that promotes key initiatives and Clayco’s reputation. This includes developing effective programs to achieve both business unit and customer-specific goals and providing day-to-day services in public relations, content, website management, social media marketing, SEO, and management of internal and external agency resources.