602 N. Country Fair Dr.
Suite A
Champaign, IL 61821
Phone: 217-352-4232
Fax: 217-352-0307
info@broeren-russo.com
Broeren Russo Project Management Staff
Bryan Carper
Senior Project Manager
Bryan Carper joined the Broeren Russo team due to their “reputation in the community, diverse project portfolio, quality delivered, amazing culture, and resources available to serve a client.” Bryan brings 17+ years of experience between the Central Illinois and Chicago markets, including lakefront residential high rises, airport runways, museums, medical office buildings, and higher education facilities. As Senior Project Manager, he works through the details to ensure a successful project that contributes to the community.
Greg Shroka
Project Executive
Greg Shroka, Project Executive, describes Broeren Russo as a company that shows “genuine care and respect for their employees, clients, contractors, and community.” Before joining the Broeren Russo team, Greg spent 16 years gaining a wide range of experiences working on large projects in the Industrial and Aviation industries as well as Education and Health Care sectors. On a daily basis, Greg communicates with team members to improve efficiency and exceed project goals.
Austin Hogue
Construction Services Manager
Austin Hogue rejoined the Broeren-Russo team in 2014 as an Estimator, and is now the Construction Services Manager. Austin notes, “The BR team rallies together to put our best foot forward when preparing estimates through the completion of a project.” As the Construction Services Manager, Austin’s responsibilities include reviewing plans and specs, preparing project schedules, communicating with subcontractors, and coordinating the construction team for each of his projects.
Nathan Steffen
Project Manager
Nathan Steffen is excited to join the Broeren Russo team as a Project Manager. “Broeren Russo is a company with a great family environment where everyone works as a team to provide a successful project within budget and on-time,” he notes. Nathan uses his experience in the architecture and design/build industry to communicate clearly with architects, owners and subcontractors. Nathan’s ability to quickly identify concerns and propose timely solutions allows him to successfully lead his team on each project.
Jacob Scott
Project Manager
Jacob Scott, Project Manager, decided to join the Broeren Russo team because he wanted to partner with owners to successfully complete projects on time and within budget. Jacob is a 2011 graduate of the Civil Engineering program at the University of Illinois. Through his past experiences as a superintendent, field engineer, and quality control manager, Jacob has developed a strong ability to gather and communicate information that is vital to keeping projects moving forward.
Gokhul Ranganath
Senior Project Manager
Gokhul Ranganath, Senior Project Manager, joined the Broeren Russo team after completing a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois. Gokhul appreciates working with highly skilled and motivated individuals each day. His responsibilities include document control, daily progress reports, and subcontractor relations. “Teamwork goes a long way for Broeren Russo and our clients,” Gokhul notes. “It enables us to meet schedule deadlines and handle projects with top quality.”
Nathaniel Khachaturian
Project Manager
“Broeren Russo has created a professional, family-oriented culture that is able to deliver complex projects and win work for repeat clients,” says Nathaniel Khachaturian, Project Manager. Nathaniel draws on his experiences with the developer side of the industry while overseeing all components of a project, namely financials and schedule.
Christina Pontious
Project Manager
Christina Pontious brings a business-minded approach to her role at Broeren Russo. Drawing on her administrative experience with several construction firms, as well as a Masters in Business Administration, Christina oversees the entire life cycle of a project including contract management, submittal reviews, materials procurement, payment applications, and closeout documentation.
Brian Selk
Project Manager
Brian Selk has a strong connection to Central Illinois, and he brings that to his role as Project Manager for Broeren Russo. On a daily basis, Brian supports the field staff to ensure they have everything needed to complete each project on time and within budget.
Austin Barton
Project Manager
Austin Barton, a 2016 graduate of SIUE, is a Project Manager with Broeren Russo. “The culture that the leadership team at Broeren Russo has built, as well as our positive reputation in the community, is incredible,” he notes. Austin’s responsibilities include procurement of key materials to allow for a continuous flow on the jobsite. In addition, he reviews specifications and project plans to organize efforts that align with each project’s budget and schedule goals.
Nick Schnepper
Senior Project Engineer
Nick Schnepper, Senior Project Engineer, brings a wide variety of work and life experiences to the Broeren Russo team. Nick spent several years gaining experience as a general contractor in Chicago. In addition, he brings a unique perspective through his previous labor experience in the construction industry. In his role as Senior Project Engineer, Nick uses his communication and organizational skills to ensure a safe and efficient working environment.
Josiah Vaughn
Senior Project Engineer
Josiah Vaughn is excited to join the Broeren Russo team as a Senior Project Engineer. He brings ten years of construction experience including managing large renovations, overseeing new construction, and developing carpentry skills. In his role as Senior Project Engineer, Josiah utilizes his organizational skills to ensure each project is well documented and stays on schedule.
Shelley Chamberlain
Project Engineer
Shelley Chamberlain, Project Engineer, states, “Broeren Russo is known for their integrity and quality building throughout the Midwest. I jumped at the chance to join this amazing team and use my experiences to help construct buildings that improve the communities that surround them.” Shelley supports the project management team by facilitating information flow, reviewing submittals, and managing material procurement.
Byron Denhart
Project Engineer
Byron Denhart is excited to join the Broeren Russo team as a Project Engineer. He describes Broeren Russo as a stable company that is entrepreneurial in nature with a family atmosphere. Byron’s daily responsibilities include monitoring site conditions, verifying that the products and materials used in the build are what’s specified by the Architect and Owner, and working with the subcontractors on site logistics, sequencing and schedule to address any issues as they come up.
Katy Ochs
Project Engineer
Katy Ochs, Project Engineer, notes, “I joined Broeren Russo because of the sense of family, and the knowledge that everyone here wants to help me succeed.” Katy’s daily tasks include managing structural steel erection jobs, conducting contract reviews on awarded jobs, evaluating and tracking change orders, and providing support to the field crews.
Ryan Elshoff
Project Engineer
Ryan Elshoff, Project Engineer with Broeren Russo, notes “my goal is to be a valuable resource for Superintendents
and Project Managers, so that each project can succeed.” After serving in the US Marine Corps for four years, Ryan earned a Bachelors Degree in Concrete Industry Management. He is excited to work on Broeren Russo national projects, and strives to be the link between the field and office staff.
Connor Wahls
Project Engineer
Connor Walhs, a graduate of Illinois State University, brings hands-on knowledge of carpentry to his role as Project Engineer for Broeren Russo. Connor notes, “Broeren Russo has a reputation in the area of being a great company, and I’m excited to be a part of the team.” Connor’s responsibilities include helping the submittal process run effectively, ensuring each project has the correct materials, and assisting other team members in anticipating and solving challenges as they arise.
Cole Ewing
Project Engineer
A graduate of Georgia Southern University, Cole Ewing is excited to join the Broeren Russo team as a Project Engineer. He notes, “the leaders of Broeren Russo have a real passion for this company and the people we work with, so I’m thrilled to be a part of this team.” On a daily basis, Cole monitors the jobsite, maintains a daily log, completes RFIs and submittals, and helps coordinate tasks and deliveries with subcontractors.
Ayush Sindhava
Project Engineer
A graduate of the University of Illinois, Ayush Sindhava recalls watching the progress of several Broeren Russo projects on campus as he completed his Masters in Civil Engineering. Now he is excited to join the Broeren Russo team as a Project Engineer. Ayush supports the Project Manager by generating RFIs and submittals, obtaining product samples, maintaining records and completing any other task that will help each project proceed smoothly.
Blake Estes
Director of Preconstruction
Blake Estes brings unique experiences to Broeren Russo in his role as Director of Preconstruction. He notes, “To be the best company, you have to hire the best people, especially in such a complex and competitive market. This has become the Broeren Russo standard.” Blake collaborates with both the office team and field staff to ensure a smooth hand-off from preconstruction and estimating to project management.
Tim Van Der Aa
Project Manager of Preconstruction
Tim Van Der Aa, Project Manager of Preconstruction, joined the Broeren Russo team in 2022 after working for 7 years for a large construction management firm in Chicago. Tim states he is “excited to work with the Central Illinois construction community on building new spaces for our neighbors to live and work.” His daily responsibilities include coordinating the flow of critical information between all of the project partners, to resolve potential problems early.
Gene Lenzi
Chief Estimator
With over 40 years in the construction business, Gene Lenzi joined the Broeren Russo team in January of 2005, bringing this wealth of construction experience. His typical day includes obtaining plans and specs, working out details with subcontractors, participating in pre-bid meetings, meeting with owners, and ultimately preparing precise estimates. “The Broeren Russo management team’s diverse background and experience would probably surprise most people,” he adds. “We have earned our reputation for great buildings and great relationships.”
Dave Doty
Assistant Estimator
Dave Doty is an Assistant Estimator and Project Manager for Broeren Russo. After graduating from Lakeland Community College with an associates degree in architectural technologies, Dave spent the next 26 years performing estimating and project management duties for commercial construction projects. Dave notes, “working for a company with true family values, that supports its team members and mixes in some fun, makes doing what you love to do seem a lot less like work.”
Brandon Cooper
Assistant Estimator
Brandon Cooper is an Assistant Estimator for Broeren Russo. “Working with such an experienced team as Broeren Russo is both amazing and humbling,” he notes. After completing two years in the College of Engineering at the University of Illinois, Brandon spent fifteen years in the workforce in management roles. The skills that Brandon developed help him work alongside the project staff to complete tasks promptly and communicate clearly with all individuals on the jobsite.