Raising the standard for estimating across aviation and infrastructure

As Connico continues to grow, so does the leadership behind its estimating work. Michael Feeney has stepped into the role of Estimating Director, and Charl Neser now serves as Architectural Subject Matter Expert, further strengthening the depth of guidance available across Connico’s projects and ensuring teams have the leadership and resources needed to deliver consistent, high-quality results for clients.

Both team members joined Connico in 2018 and bring extensive technical expertise and industry insight to their new positions. In this Q&A, Michael and Charl share their perspectives on the new leadership structure, how their roles support Connico’s teams and clients, and what this transition means for the future of the firm’s estimating division.

A structure built for growth

Connico’s shift in structure reflects a broader investment in its people and long-term performance.

“This shift represents Connico’s dedication to empowering employees to focus on the work they aspire to do,” said Michael Feeney. “It’s also a reflection of how effort and commitment can lead to additional opportunities. From a business perspective, promoting from within helps create consistency for both clients and internal teams.”

That consistency is reinforced through mentorship and shared expertise across the organization. As Charl Neser explained, the structure creates more opportunity for guidance and collaboration across teams.

“By focusing more on support, I’m able to help remove roadblocks and ensure people feel comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas early,” he said. “That kind of collaboration strengthens our culture and leads to better outcomes, while building a deeper foundation of expertise as we grow.”

Expanding expertise across teams and projects

With this new organizational structure in place, Connico can efficiently extend the impact of experienced professionals across more projects and teams.

“The new organizational structure allows my experience to have a broader and more consistent impact across the company, rather than being tied to a single project or individual task,” said Neser. “I’m able to guide more team members and ensure the right processes are in place to keep our firm performing at its best.”

This change ensures that clients continue to benefit from senior-level insight, while also strengthening internal consistency and performance across the firm.

Excellence defined through mentorship

As the firm’s architectural subject matter expert, Neser plays a key role in shaping both the quality of Connico’s estimating work and the continued development of its people. That focus on mentorship is closely tied to maintaining a high standard of quality.

“As an SME, developing people is one of the most meaningful parts of my role,” said Neser. “I also enjoy helping define what the standard of excellence looks like for Connico’s estimating work. Ensuring high-quality deliverables means influencing the final product our clients see and trust.”

For Feeney, stepping into the role of estimating director has expanded both the scope of his work and the relationships he supports across the organization, with additional coordination responsibilities across estimating projects and opportunities to engage with a broader group of clients. The new transition has also required navigating a shift in team dynamics – particularly as former mentors have become direct reports.

“Some of the people I considered long-term mentors are now part of my team, including Charl,” Feeney said. “That was something I was initially unsure about, but those relationships remain collaborative. I still look to them for advice regularly.”

Leadership grounded in trust and collaboration

Neser sees Feeney’s openness to feedback and willingness to learn from others as central to his effectiveness as a leader.

“Michael brings a strong combination of strategic thinking, people-focused leadership, and technical expertise,” said Neser. “He understands both the big picture and the day-to-day realities of the work, which allows him to make decisions that are both forward-thinking and practical. Michael is also a relationship-driven leader who builds trust easily and creates an environment where people feel supported.”

Those traits reflect an important principle within Connico’s culture: leadership is not just about direction, but about continuous learning and shared experience.

“You can read every professional book out there,” said Feeney, “but there’s always something unique about learning from real experience and from the people around you.”

Positioned for what’s next

As Connico evolves, these leadership transitions reflect a deliberate investment in how our firm develops talent, shares expertise, and supports work at every level. For employees, that means clearer opportunities to grow and contribute in meaningful ways. For clients and partners, it means a stronger framework behind each project – one that broadens access to senior insight while reinforcing the consistency and collaboration Connico is known for.

Ultimately, it’s a structure designed not just for today’s work, but for the future of the firm.