Denver - PMA Consultants - Local Owner's Representative

The PMA Denver office is experiencing rapid growth based on a strong reputation for construction management, owner’s representation, and process improvement. Located in Broomfield, the office is designed as a beautiful modern space with mountain views and a rooftop patio. With backgrounds in the aviation, transportation, and water sectors, our dynamic office staff welcomes new projects and diverse challenges. Our busy professionals take full advantage of the nearby trails to recharge their energies, and also enjoy the local breweries and restaurants.

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Mike Brown

Managing Director

Leadership

•Don Fredlund

•Mike Brown

PMA People

Learn more about our people and their work.

Rachel Link

Q&A WITH RACHEL PMA PEOPLE

Ty Vess

Q&A with Ty PMA PEOPLE

Don Fredlund

Q&A with Don PMA PEOPLE

Bruce Stephan

Q&A with Bruce PMA PEOPLE

Dina Keirouz

Q&A with Dina PMA PEOPLE

Nick Gendron

Q&A with Nick PMA PEOPLE

Blake Cuneo

Q&A with Blake PMA PEOPLE

Great Hall Program at Denver International Airport

Denver, CO

Dallas/Fort Worth Airport

Dallas, TX

Ty Vess

Senior Director, Denver

What current project(s) are you working on?
Currently, I am working on the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) light rail project and Denver International Airport’s Great Hall Project.

What is your career highlight so far?
So far my career highlight has been working in Hawaii on the new light rail project. In addition, everyone I have worked with at PMA has been so very helpful. I love being surrounded by professionals who all have a can-do attitude.

What is something new or innovative happening in your industry (CM or PM related)?
The utilization of Building Information Modeling (BIM) seems to be growing at a very quick pace and is being adopted by more and more clients. This is forcing the engineering and construction fields to embrace it or be left behind.

What was a transformative project or challenge that you did at PMA?
My original assignment on the Hawaii HART project was to work in the Changes and Claims group. The client was short staffed which resulted in my role changing to Resident Engineer for the construction of three transit stations and an interstate off-ramp less than a month after arriving on the island. It was very interesting working with the local contractors and learning the local culture. Did you know that backhoes are referred to as hoptoes? And Mauka (towards the mountain) and Makai (towards the ocean) are directions listed on engineering and construction drawings? The best part was Hawaiian (aka Aloha) shirts were considered formal business attire at work. I didn’t have to tuck my shirt in for almost a year.

Do you get to do something at work every day that you love? If so, what is it?
Currently I am assisting HART with large construction claim disputes which requires a lot of contract research which I oddly find to be interesting. The Denver Airport is also rewarding since we are helping our client maneuver through their first P3 project. This project has also enabled me to start using PMA’s NetPoint scheduling software. Learning new tools is always fun.

From which university did you graduate?
I earned my MBA at Regis University in Denver, Colorado in 2006 and my undergraduate degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines in 1994.

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?
My favorite is the Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Every show is amazing due to the acoustics from the surrounding red sandstone formations (aka Red Rocks), the vibrant energy, and the rather spectacular views. I consider it mandatory to see at least one or two concerts there per year, preferably more.

Provide a fun fact about yourself?
I am an avid SCUBA diver who becomes grouchy if left to dry out for an extended period of time. Our family (my wife and two sons) were all certified at the same time and have been diving together ever since. My wife and I continued our training to become Dive Masters and have been lucky enough to dive all over the world. The Hawaii assignment helped with that.

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Don Fredlund

Chief Operations Officer, Phoenix

What current project(s) are you working on?
Expert Assignments:
• Claims on 3 separate construction contracts associated with the $2.6B Toronto Spadina Subway Extension Project located in Toronto, CN
• Claim on the $140M JW McCormack Post Office/Courthouse Repair and Alternations Project located in Boston, MA
• Claim on the BP-432 (Pods C and D) Baggage Handling System Expansion Project located in Orlando, FL
• Insurance Claims on the $1B East End Crossing Project located in Indiana/Kentucky
Contract Specifications Upgrade:
• Santa Clara Valley Water District

What is your career highlight so far?
Becoming part of PMA leadership when I moved to Phoenix, Arizona, to start our “west coast presence”; I also got involved with corporate matters. That met one of my key career goals and reasons I came to PMA after spending many years working for large contracting firms (i.e., being one of thousands). It gave me much more opportunity to grow professionally in all aspects of management and have a say/control over my career while I helped a small company at the time to grow to what PMA is today.

It’s all about the people one works with and it’s rarely the result of one person’s efforts. That said, I have numerous highlights as an expert where a team of PMA professionals’ technical excellence resulted in a “win” via a ruling by a judge or jury that went the way we saw it, and our client was extremely happy with the result. Perhaps the most notable on a personal note was our firm’s expert work in South Carolina for a major pharmaceutical client that involved over a 2-3 year period and as many as 25 PMA employees flying back and forth to South Carolina from many offices. Testifying in a 100-year-old courthouse in the “south” (velvet curtains and all) was surreal! Plus, we got the ruling we and our client hoped for…can’t beat that. It was a complete and total team effort by many PMA employees who sacrificed a lot personally, a shining moment for PMA, and an opportunity to work with one of the country’s premier construction law firms.

What is something new or innovative happening in your industry?
While this is not so new or innovative relatively speaking in PMA standards, there is a continued trend toward the use of project delivery systems that allow for public and private clients to pick contractors on a qualifications basis or not strictly on price. Being the relationship firm we are and what we have to offer our clients technically, that trend is right up our alley. Throw increased use of and appreciation by some large players in the industry of NetPoint® and GPM® (PMA’s proprietary scheduling software) into that mix and we (meaning PMA, the consultants, contractors, and owners) will all benefit from that in the future.

What university or college did you graduate from?
Michigan Technical University located in Houghton, Michigan, where they only allow in and train technically smart and physically tough engineers as evidenced by PMA’s tendency to hire lots of people from there, including some of its best leaders.

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?
I have eaten at so, so many restaurants in the U.S. and a few international spots (e.g., Mexico City and Shanghai, China) over the last 30 years and have flown into/out of every major airport in the U.S. it seems. Impossible to pick a favorite. Now if the question was the most unusual food eaten, that is an easy one. In a nice, quaint, and upscale restaurant just outside of San Francisco, one time I had “pigeon legs.” Yes, we were with a client. The things one does for client relationships. Guess what? It tasted like…wait for it…chicken.”

Fun Fact!
Now that is a good question. My wife of almost 44 years says we really have only been married 22 years because I am gone half of the time. That is technically not true, but one reason I have been married that long is because I have learned not to argue technicalities.

Looking back to the major pharmaceutical client assignment described above, after testifying on the witness stand and in response to some question from the judge, I actually said, “This was fun.” He laughed and gave me a strange look. Go figure.

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Dina Keirouz

Managing Director, Greater Los Angeles Area

What challenges exist for women in the construction and engineering industry? Any path you’ve taken to overcome these?
Although the number of women in engineering and construction has greatly improved, it’s still far too low. In construction, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that women make up less than 9% of people working in construction. There are still those in the education system and in math- and science-related industries that believe boys are more capable than girls in these areas.

I grew up with four brothers and my father always used me as an example when he lectured them about achieving good grades. I typically made excellent grades so I never had an inferiority complex about my capabilities. Professionally, I didn’t really pay any attention to it until I started going up the corporate ladder. I did have to assume a posture and communicate differently on-site for superintendents and foremen to take me seriously. But I didn’t let it impact me and throughout my career, I’ve always made sure that my ideas and needs were voiced and heard.

I also realized in talking to my female friends—who often sought advice from me when they were negotiating new positions—that women, “in general,” don’t usually “ask” for things like a raise, better treatment, or a promotion. Women need to do a better job asking for things that we know we deserve as much as our male counterparts. But you better be good because qualifications matter as well as diversity of thought.

What current projects are you working on?
I’m currently working on the POLB project controls and Unifier rollout, and I just copresented our achievement with the client at an AACE conference. I was also working in a support function with PMO/project controls for ComEd in Chicago.

My day-to-day job includes addressing client concerns, pursuing the next project(s), mentoring and managing my staff, and preparing responses to proposals and interviews. I also believe that the good relationships I’ve developed with previous clients throughout my career should be maintained and can play a role in supporting my counterparts outside of my region (SoCal). I continue to reach out and present PMA to them no matter where they are in coordination with my colleagues in other regions.

What is your career highlight so far? (at PMA?)
I don’t know if I have only one highlight, but I always enjoy inspiring people to step up and improve professionally and personally. Breaking the mold is important.

What is something new or innovative happening in your industry?
3D printing. I mean, this is some real sci-fi happening! The structures that they can build with a 3D printer is something that I saw once in a sci-fi cartoon back in the 1980s. And now we’re seeing that technology in use today.

What university or college did you graduate from?
University of Washington. Loved going to college! It was great fun.

What is your favorite local establishment/feature (restaurant, museum, stadium, etc.)?
I’m a foody and there are many restaurants that my husband and I like to frequent; no specific one comes to mind. He’s in the business and I accompany him when he does secret shopper trips and when he writes reviews for restaurants. I love the beach but New York City is in my soul. There’s just so much to do there.

Provide a Fun Fact?
I’m a dance maniac. Provide some good soulful music and I‘ll dance for hours; I also belly dance and kick box.

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Nick Gendron

Senior Associate, San Francisco

What are you passionate about and how do you pursue that passion at PMA?

I am passionate about continuous advancement and positive progress. That drive is expressed in securing new clients, exploring new technologies to help our business, finding new markets, and it is also evident in my personal life. PMA has afforded me the opportunity to come to the Pacific Northwest and create a new business unit. I have also accomplished a lot of personal growth with PMA, moving closer to my family which has inspired me to get healthy and to reach the summit of some of my personal goals.

Who inspires you to push yourself?

My inspiration lately has been from the people around me. I moved to the Pacific Northwest during the pandemic, looking for new opportunities during a challenging time. With the support of the leaders at PMA and my loved ones at home, I have made great connections here, even in a work-from-home situation. I am anticipating pushing forward and finding the right projects and partners for PMA.

What are the most positive aspects of working at PMA?

The most positive thing I have to say about PMA’s culture is the inherent guidance to find what makes each of the employees happy and pursue it. I have said that I wanted to move to the Seattle area and start a new office from day one. With my determination and drive, PMA has stood behind me and supported me in doing just that. As a company, PMA is interested in their employee’s personal growth and fulfillment as much as their own.

What current project(s) are you working on?

I am working to build a strong clientele in the Pacific Northwest and to develop and grow a new office presence in the greater Seattle area.

What is your career highlight so far?

The highlight of my career has been the opportunity to work with my fellow PMAers. In my experiences on the GC side of construction, it is not easy to find such a high volume of decent and highly knowledgeable people. I have not met anyone in PMA that I could tell is “just going through the motions.” It is a great feeling to be a part of a team that has the knowledge, drive, and experience for any situation that I could find myself in professionally, and, even better, they are just a phone call away. I take pride in the fact that I work with such a diverse and well-informed team.

What is something new/innovative happening in your industry?

It has been interesting watching our industry handle the pandemic and adjust while still conducting business and holding networking events. I recently attended a conference virtually and gained a lot of knowledge while also making a few connections with local partners. Construction has done a great job adjusting from afar despite being such a hands-on industry.

What is something you get to do at work every day that you love?

I take the most joy in the feeling of being valued by my team and our clients. Working with clients who value our opinions and expertise is great. Being part of a team that can be open to PMA’s professional perspective makes me love coming to work.

From which university did you graduate?

I obtained my bachelor’s degree in construction management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What is your favorite local establishment?

I moved to the area during the pandemic and haven’t had a chance to explore all that Seattle and Tacoma have to offer. I will have to get back to you on that!

Provide a fun fact about yourself?

Some of my fellow PMAer’s know that I climbed Mt. Rainier in 2019. I have not been able to get out and do any more climbing during the pandemic, but in 2021 I am planning to re-start my training and climb some of the large glaciated mountains here in the Pacific Northwest to get ready to attempt an ascent of Denali, possibly in a few years.

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