Meet Our Team - Connico

E. Rose Gowder President

nashville

Ms. Gowder is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a degree in Architecture. Her experience includes various roles and responsibilities at Connico for nearly 10 years.

Favorite cause/charity:: American Cancer Society
Why I work at Connico:: My mother, Connie Gowder, founded Connico in 1990 so it has always had a special place in my heart. The team of professionals at Connico are a pleasure to work with.
Favorite hobby:: Photography
Predictive Index Profile:: Persuader - a risk-taking, socially poised and motivating team builder.
Favorite Quote:: Learn to walk before you run.

Connie S. 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.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Why I Work at Connico:: I love the industry, the people, the travel and all that goes with making projects become reality.
Favorite Hobby:: Scrapbooking and photography of travels.
Predictive Index Profile:: Analyzer - detail-oriented and thorough.
Favorite Quote:: Bring your best, every day.

David J. Hunley, PE Associate Principal/VP

cincinnati

As the co-owner and Vice President of Connico, David has 36 years of experience with responsibilities including cost estimating, scheduling, construction oversight and administration, resident project representation, design support, and engineering fee reviews.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: American Cancer Society.
Why I Work at Connico:: This is a unique place with a unique experience for the right fit. This is perfect for me!
Favorite Hobby:: Disc golf.
Predictive Index Profile:: Promoter - accommodating, most comfortable working with others, and often puts team/company goals before his own personal goals.
Favorite Quote:: Always treat others the way you want to be treated.

Charl J. Neser, MRICS, CCP Director

atlanta

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

Favorite Cause/Charity:: Feed the Children.
Why I Work at Connico:: Teamwork within Connico – everyone has different personalities but within Connico we all work together as one team to make Connico great.
Favorite Hobby:: Woodworking.
Predictive Index Profile:: Craftsman - formal, reserved, detail-oriented, and operationally focused.
Favorite Quote:: Are you done yet?

Ian J. de Keyzer, FRICS Chief Cost Specialist

nashville

Ian has experience in construction consulting and construction management. He provides direction to our cost estimating staff with his depth of understanding that provides clarity when projects are estimated.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: Goodwill Industries.
Why I Work at Connico:: Connico provides a tremendous environment and opportunity for me to enjoy the challenge that estimating (specifically Airport projects) offers.
Favorite Hobby:: Reading.
Predictive Index Profile:: Controller - analytical, detail-oriented, precise, and thorough.
Favorite Quote:: Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. — Winston Churchill

Srikanth (Sri) J. Kumar, PE Senior Project Specialist

cincinnati

Sri is experienced in providing construction estimating and scheduling, on-site project administration and engineering, program administration, and construction observation.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: Charity: water.
Why I Work at Connico:: Opportunity to grow as a person and grow my career the way I want!
Favorite Hobby:: Reading. Alone. In silence.
Predictive Index Profile:: Venturer - always exploring and moving past boundaries. They're strong-willed, goal-oriented, and focused on making an impact at work.
Favorite Quote:: 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.

Jeffrey S. Jones, PE, CCP 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.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: Covenant House Georgia.
Why I Work at Connico:: To be part of a dynamic interactive team of professionals working toward common goals.
Favorite Hobby:: Boating.
Predictive Index Profile:: Promoter - extraverted, harmonious, supportive, and encouraging.
Favorite Quote:: Not all those who wander are lost.

Jeff R. Bowman 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.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: The Voice of the Martyrs.
Why I Work at Connico:: 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.
Favorite Hobby:: Woodworking, gardening, history, science, and reading.
Predictive Index Profile:: Specialist - detail-oriented and precise.
Favorite Quote:: Simplicity in character, in manners, in style; in all things the supreme excellence is simplicity. — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Picture of Lisa A. Heckendorn-Blake, PMP

Lisa A. Heckendorn-Blake, PMP Senior Project Specialist

cincinnati

Lisa has 38 years of experience 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.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: Society of Saint Vincent DePaul.
Why I Work at Connico:: I love the work and my fellow employees are a joy to work with.
Favorite Hobby:: Kayaking.
Predictive Index Profile:: Specialist - detail-oriented and precise, and follow-through is deep and literal to ensure tasks are completed in accordance with quality standards.
Favorite Quote:: Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. — John F. Kennedy

Bryan A. Hafertepe, PE Analyst III

cincinnati

Bryan joined Connico after receiving his degree in civil engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He is focused on assisting in developing cost estimates, value integration, systems analyses, and field observation.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: Cincinnati Boychoir.
Why I Work at Connico::: The opportunity to make a difference on many different projects all over the country is why I continue to love working at Connico.
Favorite Hobby:: Singing.
Predictive Index Profile:: Altruist - driven to achieve operational efficiencies.
Favorite Quote:: Whether you think you can or think you can't – you're right. — Henry Ford

Charles J. Cleary, CPE Senior Cost Specialist

atlanta

Charles is an experienced electrical cost estimator with experience in industrial, residential, and commercial construction. He has field and project management experience as well as project scheduling expertise.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: My Possibilities.
Why I Work at Connico:: Each person at Connico is awesome at what they do and all of us working together, makes us exceptional.
Favorite Hobby:: Restoration of old houses and woodworking.
Predictive Index Profile:: 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.
Favorite Quote:: The best way to predict your future is to create it. — Abraham Lincoln

J. Caleb Claxton, EIT Analyst I

cincinnati

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

Favorite Cause/Charity:: Grace Fellowship Church
Why I Work at Connico:: 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.
Favorite Hobby:: Hiking/exploring
Predictive Index Profile:: Persuader - a risk-taking, socially poised and motivating team builder.
Favorite Quote:: I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying.

Tere M. Ayers, RICS Analyst III

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.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
Why I Work at Connico:: The opportunity to work for a company passionate about delivering a quality product to its clients.
Favorite Hobby:: Singing, planning road trips, and reading.
Predictive Index Profile:: Scholar - is accurate, reserved, imaginative and seeks a high level of technical expertise.
Favorite Quote:: 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)

Michael G. Feeney, EIT Analyst II

nashville

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

Favorite Cause/Charity:: Healing House.
Why I Work at Connico:: 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.
Favorite Hobby:: Playing pickup sports like hockey, lacrosse, and basketball.
Predictive Index Profile:: Collaborative - is a friendly, understanding, willing and patient team player.
Favorite Quote:: Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax. — Mark Black

Suraj V. Gaikwad, CMIT Analyst II

cincinnati

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

Favorite cause/charity:: Giving music lessons to children in need.
Why I work at Connico:: Flexibility to choose and change your career path.
Favorite hobby:: Exploring music.
Predictive Index Profile:: Guardian - unselfish and approachable with a preference for detailed, skill-based work.
Favorite Quote:: Humans are mortal. So are ideas. An idea needs propagation as much as a plant needs watering. Otherwise, both will wither and die.

Ramon A. Valdez Analyst I

nashville

Ramon is a graduate of Tennessee Technological University with a degree in civil engineering focused on structural engineering. He has eight years of 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.

Favorite cause/charity:: Action Against Hunger
Why I work at Connico:: 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.
Favorite hobby:: Playing futbol, analyzing sports, building/renovating items
Predictive Index Profile:: Guardian - unselfish and approachable with a preference for detailed, skill-based work.
Favorite Quote:: Never give up on something that you can’t go a day without thinking about. ―Winston Churchill

Christy S. Shadowens, MBA Administrative Specialist

nashville

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

Favorite Cause/Charity:: Rescue One Global.
Why I Work at Connico:: Connico invests in their employees professional growth and personal well-being.
Favorite Hobby:: Canoeing.
Predictive Index Profile:: Guardian - detail-oriented and precise, and follow-through is deep and literal to ensure tasks were completed in accordance with quality standards.
Favorite Quote:: Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself. ― Rumi

Janet R. 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.

Favorite Cause/Charity:: A21.
Why I Work at Connico:: The camaraderie is exceptional, everyone working together to get the job done!
Favorite Hobby:: Swimming, golfing, hiking, and reading.
Predictive Index Profile:: Guardian - usually unselfish and approachable, with a focus on work that requires skill and great attention to detail.
Favorite Quote:: I can do anything through Him who gives me strength. — Philippines 4:13

Abigail R. Gast Co-op / Intern

cincinnati

Abigail joined Connico during her second year at the University of Cincinnati where she is studying architectural engineering. She is focused on assisting in developing cost estimates, value integration, and systems analyses.

Favorite cause/charity:: Engineers Without Borders UC
Why I work at Connico:: I enjoy the variety of projects Connico gets to work on. Even those who have been with the company for many years are sometimes surprised by new projects, which allows a unique opportunity for teamwork using our collective skills and prior knowledge.
Favorite hobby:: Baking, golfing, and watching documentaries
Predictive Index Profile:: Guardian - detail-oriented and precise; follow-through is deep and literal to ensure tasks were completed in accordance with quality standards.
Favorite quote:: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.” – Steve Jobs