Board of Directors
R. Lynn Treat, Chairman
Ryan Companies U.S., Inc.
Lynn Treat received a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management from the University of Houston. With over 33 years of hands-on experience, Lynn has extensive knowledge about the many facets of the construction process.
As the Director of Field Operations for Ryan, he coordinates estimating, budgeting, safety, technical design and development, construction activities and subcontractor negotiation.
Lynn also serves as Trustee to MARBA and MIAF and is very active with the Laborers Training & Apprentice Fund.
Howard Strong, Vice Chairman
George Sollitt Construction Co.
Howard Strong started work with The George Sollitt Construction Company in 1975 as an Assistant Superintendent. Over the last 29 years, Howard has worked in all aspects of construction, including field supervision, estimating, and project management, covering a wide range of construction projects. These have included major hospital, educational airport, industrial and municipal projects in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. He is currently CEO and President of The George Sollitt Construction Company. Howard earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy at Boston University, as well as a Construction Management degree from Bradley University.
Benjamin Johnston, Treasurer
James McHugh Construction Company
Ben oversees all legal matters for James McHugh Construction Company, a century-old general contracting firm, and advises its executive team on corporate and strategic matters. He is active within the industry as well, serving as a trustee of the Carpenters' Welfare and Pension Funds and a representative to the Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association.
A member of the Illinois bar, Johnston graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois School of Law in 1988. Prior to joining McHugh in 1996, he served as associate general counsel for Handy Andy Home Improvement Centers and was an associate with Pederson and Houpt, PC.
John Russell, Immediate Past Chairman
W. E. O'Neil Construction Company
Mr. Russell received a B.S. Degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign and completed an Executive Management program at Kellogg Graduate School of Management. John has overall responsibility for all retail projects that O'Neil performs. He has relationships with several national retailers and developers and is involved in projects across the country.
John is an active member of the ICSC. John has a keen interest and significant knowledge in the area of information technology and has led several IT implementations for the company. He is a past member of W.E. O'Neil Safety Committee and has refined the company's policies in this area.
Jimmy Akintonde, Director
Ujamaa Construction, Inc.
Jimmy Akintonde is the President of Ujamaa Construction, which he founded after serving as a Project Manager for Walsh Construction. Akintonde serves on the board of Genesis Housing Development Corporation, was presented with the Msgr. Jack Egan Community Service Award for commitment to the Bronzeville community in 2003 and accepted the Builders Association's Corporate Citizenship Award for Ujamaa in 2009.
Under Akintonde's leadership, Ujamaa routinely exceeds City of Chicago standards on projects for diversity and community residency and participates in a number of programs to promote youth involvement in the industry.
Ken Egidi, Director
Pepper Construction Company
Ken Egidi is the President and COO of Pepper Construction Company. Ken, who joined the company in 1986, leads operations in Chicago, Barrington and Tinley Park.
Leon W. LaJaunesse, Director
Custom Contracting, Ltd.
Leon LaJeunesse has close to 30 years of experience in commercial construction and launched Custom Contracting, Ltd., a full-service construction firm specializing in healthcare-related construction, in 1987. He served two years as Treasurer for the Chicago chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is very passionate about working with clients and the construction industry in regards to energy-efficient, environmentally responsible green construction.
His affiliations and memberships also include: ASPE (American Society of Professional Estimators); ASHE (American Society for Healthcare Engineering); and CSI (Construction Specifications Institute).
Michael Mozal, Director
Joseph J. Duffy Company
Michael Mozal, President and Co-owner of the Joseph J. Duffy Company, has been an employee at the company since 1985. For the past 24 years, Mike has been involved in all aspects of construction, from field operations, project management and estimating to client negotiations, contracts and detail. Joseph J. Duffy has specialized in multi-unit residential construction since opening its doors in 1923.
Projects under Mike's leadership at Duffy include over 60 buildings with over 5,000 units of Retirement and Multi-Family housing of all types, focusing on senior services in addition to commercial, medical, nursing home and parking structure projects. He has served as a Board Member of the Construction Specifications Institute and maintains an LEED AP Certification to stay up to date with green building trends.
Jeff Raday, Director
McShane Construction Company
Jeffrey A. Raday is the President of McShane Construction Company, a full-service design/build and general construction firm headquartered in Rosemont. Jeff leads the firm's national construction operations including the firm's offices in the Southeast, Southwest and Western regions. Jeff is a civil engineering graduate of Valparaiso University and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois, is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and is past chairman of the Design-Build Institute of America.
Mark Rowland, Director
ISEC, Inc.
Mark Rowland is the Midwest Regional Manager for ISEC, Inc., a national prime trades contractor and subcontractor. Since graduating from Clarkson University with a degree in Civil Engineering, he has amassed 25 years of commercial contracting experience and oversees all aspects of the Midwest division for ISEC. Mark is active in his community as a little league baseball and football coach and Cub Scout Master, is on the Board of Directors of his church and has made several oversees mission trips focused on construction projects.
Greg Scurto, Director
Scurto Cement Construction
Greg Scurto is a Consultant and Shareholder with Scurto Cement Construction. Scurto is a commercial, industrial and institutional concrete contractor service in business since 1973, completing more than $80 million in projects annually.
Ray Wojkovich, Director
Bulley & Andrews, LLC
Ray Wojkovich, Vice President with Bulley & Andrews, LLC, has been engaged in the construction industry for over 25 years, serving as a Resident Engineer, Project Manager, Senior Project Manager and Vice President. A graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, Mr. Wojkovich spent 13 years with the Veteran's Administration on various hospital projects throughout the country. He joined Bulley & Andrews in August 1996 and now leads the firm's healthcare and senior living business unit. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois, LEED AP and a member of the American Society of Engineers.