Sri Kumar, PE

President and CEO

Cincinnati

As President and CEO, Sri focuses his efforts on continuing to build strong relationships with Connico’s partners, investing in Connico’s people, and bringing the diverse knowledge base of Connico’s exceptional team to the forefront of delivering client solutions.

Charity:water

Opportunity to grow as a person and grow my career the way I want!

Reading. Alone. In silence.

Venturer – are always exploring and moving past boundaries. They’re strong-willed, goal-oriented, and focused on making an impact at work.

“The reward for being kind is not that people will be kind in return. The reward for being loving is not that people will be loving in return. The reward for being honest is not that people will be honest in return. The reward for being kind is that it makes you a kind person, the reward for being loving is that it makes you a loving person, and the reward for being honest is that it makes you an honest person.”

Bryan Hafertepe, PE

Associate Principal

Cincinnati

Bryan is a licensed professional engineer focused on cost estimating, value integration, project management, and construction observation. As the Associate Principal, he leads Connico’s retention and recruitment efforts, including training and mentoring.

Cincinnati Boychoir

The opportunity to make a difference on many different projects all over the country is why I continue to love working at Connico.

Singing

Altruist – driven to achieve operational efficiencies.

Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you’re right. — Henry Ford

David Hunley, PE

Vice President and CDO

Cincinnati

As Vice President and CDO, David assists in leading the major infrastructure projects for Connico. He also focuses on the development and growth of the business and the staff.

My wife and I spend a lot of time and resources helping a local recovery mission at a local church.

This is a unique place with a unique experience for the right fit. This is perfect for me!

Disc golf

Promoter – accommodating; most comfortable working with others, he often puts team/company goals before his own personal goals.

Always treat others the way you want to be treated.

Charl Neser, MRICS

Director of Estimating

Atlanta

Charl’s experience in the construction industry includes specializing in cost estimating, cost management, litigation support, quantity surveying, contractor reconciliation, value engineering, and project management services.

Feed the Children.

Teamwork within Connico – everyone has different personalities but within Connico we all work together as one team to make Connico great.

Woodworking.

Craftsman – formal, reserved, detail-oriented, and operationally focused.

Are you done yet?

Lisa Heckendorn-Blake, PMP

Director of Scheduling

Cincinnati

Lisa is experienced in planning, scheduling, budget development, cost/change management, construction management, and team coordination. She excels in performing under complicated and tight schedules requiring completion by a fixed deadline.

Society of Saint Vincent DePaul.

I love the work and my fellow employees are a joy to work with.

Kayaking.

Specialist – detail-oriented and precise, and follow-through is deep and literal to ensure tasks are completed in accordance with quality standards.

Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. — John F. Kennedy

Christy Shadowens, MBA

Administrative Director

Nashville

Christy has extensive accounting and management experience for various industries. She excels in process management and development as well as vendor/client relations.

Rescue One Global

Connico invests in their employees professional growth and personal well-being.

Canoeing.

Guardian – detail-oriented and precise, and follow-through is deep and literal to ensure tasks were completed in accordance with quality standards.

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. ― Rumi

Charles Cleary

Subject Matter Expert

Atlanta

Charles has 33 years of experience in transportation, industrial, residential, and commercial construction cost estimating. He also has field and project management, contract administration, and project scheduling expertise.

My Possibilities.

Each person at Connico is awesome at what they do and all of us working together, makes us exceptional.

Restoration of old houses and woodworking.

Specialist – detail-oriented and thorough; works to ensure things don’t fall through the cracks, and follows up to ensure they’re done properly and on time.

The best way to predict your future is to create it. — Abraham Lincoln

Jeffrey Jones, PE, CCP, LEED® AP

Senior Cost Specialist

Atlanta

Jeffrey has mechanical, plumbing and fire protection cost estimating and project management experience. He quantifies and prices materials and labor for systems, value engineering, and life-cycle cost analysis.

Covenant House Georgia.

To be part of a dynamic interactive team of professionals working toward common goals.

Boating.

Promoter – extraverted, harmonious, supportive, and encouraging.

Not all those who wander are lost.

Jeff Bowman, CPE

Senior Cost Specialist

Nashville

Jeff has experience in construction management and consulting with expertise on large construction projects. His cost estimating expertise includes projects in various market segments.

The Voice of the Martyrs.

Because of the people. The people are committed, detail oriented, quality driven, team minded with strong expertise in the construction industry. There is also an atmosphere that reflects sincere care and concern for each other.

Woodworking, gardening, history, science, and reading.

Specialist – detail-oriented and precise.

Simplicity in character, in manners, in style; in all things the supreme excellence is simplicity. — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Karl David

Senior Cost Specialist

Nashville

Karl has numerous years of experience in consulting and construction management in various industries. At Connico, he assists with cost estimating.

Ocean Conservancy

Because of the talented people, the dedication to doing it right, the attention to detail, and the quality above all else, this team is phenomenal.

Gardening and historical findings

Specialist – detail-oriented and thorough; works to ensure things don’t fall through the cracks, and follows up to ensure they’re done properly and on time.

Check the tides, chart the course, set your sails – head for the unknown.

Michael Feeney, PE, ENV SP

Cost Specialist

Nashville

Michael joined Connico after receiving his degree in civil engineering from University of Tennessee. He is a certified professional engineer and is focused on assisting in developing cost estimates, value integration, systems analyses and field observation.

Healing House.

The Culture – In my experience everyone, at Connico wants to succeed individually and as a team. Having the trust that your coworkers are going to try their very best on every project helps build a trustworthy and healthy culture

Playing pickup sports like hockey, lacrosse, and basketball.

Collaborative – is a friendly, understanding, willing and patient team player.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax. — Mark Black

Andrew Skidmore

Cost Specialist

Nashville

Andrew is an experienced estimator with more than 10 years of industry experience. He assists in cost estimating, value engineering, and life-cycle cost analysis while at Connico.

National Motorcycle Safety Fund, Fire Prevention and Safety

Connico has a great culture. You can grow and develop into the best version of yourself, and you’re working amongst a group of exceptional individuals who will support you all the way.

Woodworking, motorcycle riding, gardening

Collaborative – is a friendly, understanding, willing and patient team player.

There is great value in the act of just trying. What’s the worst thing that can happen? Someone says “no”? If you never try, you’ve already said no to yourself before anyone else did. And who knows? Maybe they’ll say “yes”.

Mihail Risteski, PMP

Senior Project Specialist

Nashville

Mihail has numerous years of experience in the construction industry specializing in scheduling and cost/change management. He has expertise in software programs such as Primavera 6, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Project.

Association Of Waldorf Schools of North America (AWSNA)

The Connico team is inspiring, understanding and empowering in both personal and professional development. This approach makes the journey through life enjoyable.

Travel and food

Altruist – congenial and cooperative with an efficient, precise work ethic.

Life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man, but soon or late the man who wins, is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN! ― Walter D. Wintle

Tere Ayers, RICS, CEP

Cost Specialist

Atlanta

Tere is experienced in quantity surveying and cost estimating. She excels at analyzing the costs involved in a project by providing cost observation and direction.

United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).

The opportunity to work for a company passionate about delivering a quality product to its clients.

Singing, planning road trips, and reading.

Scholar – is accurate, reserved, imaginative and seeks a high level of technical expertise.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? — Luke 14:28 (New Revised Standard)

Usman Akram, PE (PAK), LEED® GA

Project Specialist

Cincinnati

Usman has 15 years’ experience in the transportation industry. He has project management, cost estimating, civil engineering, contract administration, scheduling, quality assurance, asset management, and project control and closeout expertise.

Educating underprivileged children

At Connico, we take pride in what we do and strive for excellence keeping innovation and integrity at the heart of our operations.

Writing

Controller – analytical, detail-oriented, precise, thorough

Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts. — Winston S. Churchill

Winsome Jackson

Project Specialist

Cincinnati

Winsome is a project specialist with nearly 10 years of construction industry experience. She is currently pursuing Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and while at Connico she assists with estimating, value engineering, and life-cycle cost analysis.

STEM for Kids; Girls Who Code; Black Girls Code

To continue to make a difference in my communities near and far and be a legacy of excellence and resilience in the lives of those who know me.

Gardening, traveling, reading

Captain – problem solver who likes changes and innovation while controlling the big picture.

Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it and make it the life you want to live. – Mae Jemison

J. Caleb Claxton, EIT

Analyst III

Cincinnati

Caleb joined Connico after receiving his degree in civil engineering from the University of Louisville. He is a certified civil engineer-in-training and is focused on assisting in developing cost estimates, value integration, systems analyses, and field observation.

Grace Fellowship Church

Everyone is fun to work with and Connico offers great ways to help you learn and grow professionally. Connico is flexible and everyone has a voice in the company.

Hiking/exploring

Persuader – a risk-taking, socially poised and motivating team builder.

I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.

Suraj Gaikwad, CMIT

Analyst II

Cincinnati

Suraj is a graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in civil engineering. He has industry experience and is a certified Construction Manager in Training focused on assisting in developing cost estimates, on-site construction administration, and systems analyses.

Giving music lessons to children in need.

Flexibility to choose and change your career path.

Exploring music.

Guardian – unselfish and approachable with a preference for detailed, skill-based work.

Humans are mortal. So are ideas. An idea needs propagation as much as a plant needs watering. Otherwise, both will wither and die.

David Yi

Analyst II

Nashville

David is a recent graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in Construction Management as well as construction industry experience. He assists with cost estimating as well as on-site construction administration.

Seattle Union Gospel Mission

The opportunity to learn and be a part of a company that invests into their employees.

I enjoy playing basketball, hiking, and traveling.

Guardian – unselfish and approachable, with a focus on work that requires skill and great attention to detail.

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. — C.S. Lewis

Dhaval Gohil, CMIT

Analyst II

Nashville

Dhaval is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University with a masters degree in construction management. He has two years of experience in the industry and will be assisting with cost estimating while at Connico.

charity: water

Flexibility to work on different aspects of complex projects, mentoring and guidance from experienced professionals that helps you grow as an individual.

Travelling, hiking

Artisan – accommodating and analytical while producing precise and accurate work.

Dream. Believe. Achieve.

Ramon Valdez

Analyst II

Nashville

Ramon is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University with a degree in civil engineering focused on structural engineering. He has industry experience and is currently pursuing his Engineering Intern (EIT) certification. While at Connico, he is assisting in developing cost estimates and on-site construction administration.

Action Against Hunger

It’s a great environment and everyone treats you like family. It’s a company where you can grow and learn throughout your professional career.

Playing futbol, analyzing sports, building/renovating items

Guardian – unselfish and approachable with a preference for detailed, skill-based work.

Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about. ―Winston Churchill

Fabian Guevara

Analyst I

Nashville

Fabian is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University with a degree in industrial engineering and engineering project management. While at Connico, he will be assisting with cost estimating, value integration, and systems analyses.

Hunger & Poverty

Be part of an amazing goal-oriented team that will help me develop both in a professional and personal way.

Playing and watching sports, traveling

Maverick – innovative “outside the box” thinker, undaunted by failure.

Most of us have two lives: the life we live, and the life we’re capable of living.

Caleb Ponting

Analyst I

Cincinnati

Caleb is a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in civil engineering. He previously worked as an intern at Connico and brings more than four years of experience in civil engineering. While at Connico, he is focused on assisting in developing cost estimates, scheduling, value integration, and systems analyses.

Special Olympics

I work at Connico because there is a constant opportunity for learning, and the entire team is committed to helping each individual progress in their professional and personal lives.

Watching / playing sports and fishing

Adapter – a bridge-builder, comfortable with changing situations.

There may be people that have more talent than you, but there’s no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.

Elie Germain

Analyst I

Cincinnati

Eli is a recent graduate of Lamar University with a degree in construction management. He previously worked as an intern at Connico and brings more than two years of experience. While at Connico, he is focused on assisting in developing cost estimates, value integration, and systems analyses.

The Chauncy Glover Project

Working at Connico provides many learning opportunities as I’m surrounded by intelligent individuals with different backgrounds and various experiences.

Working out

Guardian – unselfish and approachable, with a focus on work that requires skill and great attention to detail.

Life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you respond to it.

Veronica Takacs, EIT

Analyst I

Cincinnati

Veronica is a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati with a degree in civil engineering and is a certified civil engineer-in-training. She previously worked as an intern at Connico and brings three years of experience in the industry. While at Connico, Veronica is focused on assisting in developing cost estimates, value integration, and systems analyses.

DreamGirls Initiative

I get to see the fruit of my work in the built environment, and work alongside others who feel like family.

Crafty things, traveling and foreign languages

Guardian – unselfish and approachable, with a focus on work that requires skill and great attention to detail.

To feel comfortable is to get comfortable with the uncomfortable.

Faroq Al-Rjoub

Analyst I

Cincinnati

Faroq has more than eight years of industry experience with a degree in civil engineering. While at Connico, he is focused on assisting in developing cost estimates, value integration, and systems analyses.

Save the Children

There are many opportunities to grow professionally and personally, and the entire team is committed to helping you grow and learn. Additionally, at Connico you are valued as a person, and everyone has a voice in the company.

Playing soccer

Collaborative – is a friendly, understanding, willing and patient team player.

You have something in this world, so stand for it. — Ghassan Kanafani

Deane Gardner

Experience Specialist

Nashville

As Connico’s first Experience Specialist, Deane brings more than 20 years of administrative experience to the team in this role. She is focused on growing Connico’s corporate team, ensuring the positive integration of new team members, human resources management, insurance and benefits administration, internal corporate events, and communication and building company culture.

Nashville LaunchPad

I get to work with people I admire and respect.

Gardening

Guardian – unselfish and approachable, with a focus on work that requires skill and great attention to detail.

The time has come to turn your heart into a temple of fire. — Rumi

Tucker Thomas

Accounting Assistant

Nashville

Tucker has more than 5 years of administrative experience and assists in vendor/client relations here at Connico.

Nashville Humane Society

I work at Connico because It gives me the opportunity to do something I love while interacting with a fun and diverse team!

Analyzing Movies

Operator – patient, conscientious, relaxed and cooperative team worker.

Normal means lack of imagination, lack of creativity. – Cassandra Peterson

Janet Terry

Senior Marketing Specialist

Nashville

Janet is an established marketing professional with numerous years of experience providing marketing-related services in the professional services industry.

A21.

The camaraderie is exceptional, everyone working together to get the job done!

Swimming, golfing, hiking, and reading.

Guardian – usually unselfish and approachable, with a focus on work that requires skill and great attention to detail.

I can do anything through Him who gives me strength. — Philippines 4:13

Grant Lapham

Intern

Cincinnati

Grant is finishing up his construction management degree from the University of Cincinnati this year. He is currently an intern with Connico assisting with cost estimates, on-screen take-offs and interpreting drawings, and upon graduation, he will be an Analyst I with Connico.

Appalachia Service Project

I have the chance to contribute to the entire team. The dynamic nature of the work exposes me to various facets of the industry, promoting continuous learning and professional growth.

Snow Skiing

Specialist – detail-oriented and thorough; works to ensure things don’t fall through the cracks and follows up to ensure they’re done properly and on time.

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.

Jonathan Gembka

Intern

Cincinnati

Jonathan is a civil engineering student at the University of Cincinnati. While at Connico, he is assisting with cost estimates, on-screen take-offs, and interpreting drawings.

Make-A-Wish

The culture – everyone is very welcoming, helpful, and respectful!

Golfing

Individualist – Highly independent and persistent, while remaining results-oriented.

Love the life you live. Live the life you love.

Connie Gowder, CCP

Former President/CEO (1990-2021)

Nashville

As the founder and President of Connico, Connie provided construction consulting services for a number of years. Her expertise included cost estimating, project management, scheduling, construction oversight, claims preparation, and dispute resolution.