How Connico’s new leadership role is improving service, operations, and more

Great projects require leaders who are close enough to see the details and provide support when it matters most. That’s why we’re introducing a new level of leadership at Connico. Usman Akram, Mihail Risteski, Michael Feeney, and Karl David will join Connico’s leadership team as coordinators and work alongside directors to improve day-to-day execution and team coordination.

Same vision, more bench strength
Our leadership team has traditionally consisted of owners and directors. Now, coordinators will join them to give clients more bench strength. President Sri Kumar and Associate Principal and COO Bryan Hafertepe will continue to guide Connico’s vision and strategy, while coordinators are empowered to own their projects and provide clients with a more direct line of communication.

They will serve as our “ears to the ground” leaders, proactively bringing solutions and support. Coordinators have experience in all things Connico, from project management to contract administration, making them excellent resources for any aspect of our work.

Clients can count on our coordinators to help efficiently address challenges, keep projects on track, and maintain budgets from a hands-on, strategic perspective.

Our coordinators are high-impact, results-driven people who are dedicated to supporting clients and helping Connico grow. Learn more about Usman Akram, Mihail Risteski, Michael Feeney, and Karl David below!

Q: What excites you most about stepping into the coordinator role?
Usman: Being a coordinator gives me an invaluable opportunity to better support my colleagues, addressing and resolving the diverse, multi-dimensional challenges we encounter daily. In this position, I’m excited to collaborate closely with the senior leadership team, providing deeper insight into organizational strategies and decision-making processes to promote my career growth and the team’s success.

Connect with Usman at muakram@connico.com.

Q: What's one leadership quality that separates good leaders from great leaders?
Mihail: One leadership quality that I believe separates good leaders from great ones is empathy. Great leaders understand and value the perspectives and feelings of their team members. They create an environment where everyone feels heard and supported, which fosters trust, collaboration, and motivation. Empathy allows leaders to connect with their team on a deeper level, leading to more effective communication and stronger relationships.

Connect with Mihail at mristeski@connico.com.

Q: What’s a piece of career advice that’s shaped your professional journey?
Michael: Do not let a role or position define you. If you want to see a change, make it and live it. Many of my greatest career moments have come from doing something that seemed “outside” of my role. By proactively finding a solution, I was able to advance my skills and support my team. It’s something I’m looking forward to doing more of as a coordinator.

Connect with Michael at mgfeeney@connico.com.

Q: What motivates you to take on new challenges and continuously grow in your career?
Karl: I love working with junior staff and seeing them succeed. It’s a lot of fun, and it keeps me engaged because I can mentor someone who is truly interested in learning. Another great aspect of this is watching them apply what they’ve learned to projects and seeing the client’s satisfaction. I really enjoy helping them reach their goals, and that’s a large part of this leadership shift.

Connect with Karl at ckdavid@connico.com.