The Christman Company, an AGC member in Michigan, Georgia and the Metropolitan Washington D.C., has announced the expansion of its southeast Michigan construction and real estate development operations with several key staff appointments.

"Inspired by the synergies we see in the current reshaping of the Detroit area, we are also reinvesting significantly in the region with the necessary strong leadership, talent and services that will enable us to contribute effectively," said Christman CEO Steven F. Roznowski, LEED AP. "We’re eager to add Christman’s energies to the mix with our experience in creating successful business outcomes for clients through facilities planning, preservation and adaptive reuse, innovative construction and real estate development services and productive, long-term relationships."

Christman, with its full-service southeast Michigan office now located in Livonia, opened its first Detroit office in 1911. The company’s long history of constructing local landmarks includes the 1912 AT & T building, 1928 Fisher Building, 1926 Detroit Masonic Temple, 1927 Maccabees Building (Wayne Tower), and 1941 Sojourner Truth House. Recent area projects have included those at The Henry Ford Estate Fair Lane, Cranbrook Educational Community, Marygrove College theater, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan headquarters, multiple projects at Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan, and Detroit Public Schools, and many large healthcare, parking, office, and public projects throughout the region.

The five staff appointments include:

Ronald D. Staley, FAPT, senior vice president and principal in charge of Southeast Michigan operations, has over 30 years of construction experience with Christman, recently returning to the area after establishing the company’s Washington, D.C. operations in 2003. Staley founded the company’s historic preservation group in 1992, leading it to national prominence with award-winning projects such as the U.S. Capitol Dome, Virginia Capitol, Michigan Capitol, and the University of Notre Dame Golden Dome. An acknowledged industry expert in tax credits for preservation and adaptive reuse projects, Staley holds degrees in business and civil engineering from Michigan Technological University, and is a Brighton, Mich. resident.

Mary K. LeFevre, regional director of business development, brings over 20 years of business development experience in a variety of construction markets, including healthcare, higher education and commercial. LeFevre recently joined Christman after 15 years in similar roles with Turner Construction in Detroit. LeFevre holds a BS in Business Education from Northern Michigan University, and is a Livonia, Mich. resident.

Anthony M. Bango, AVS, LEED AP, director and principal in charge of project planning, is a 30-year veteran of the construction industry, including 18 years as vice president of pre-construction for Skanska USA Building in Detroit, Mich. A nationally recognized leader in value analysis, his specialties include integrated project planning, budget development, project benchmarking, and value management. Bango brings to Christman his strong knowledge of the southeast Michigan market, including many long-term industry relationships there. Bango has a BSLA (Landscape Architecture) degree from Michigan State University, took post-graduate classes in construction management at the University of Hartford, has an MBA from University of Michigan, and resides in Ann Arbor, MI.

Dawn A. Bilobran, historic preservation specialist, works with project teams on the restoration, redevelopment and adaptive reuse of historic and Mid-Century Modern buildings. She holds a Masters of Science in historic preservation from Eastern Michigan University – graduating with honors in 2013 and distinguished as a 2012 National Trust for Historic Preservation Diversity Scholar – and a BA in political science and Jewish studies from Indiana University. Bilobran resides in Detroit, Mich.

James E. Like, senior project manager for Christman Constructors, Inc. brings over 30 years experience in commercial/industrial construction to his current role in project and business development for Christman’s self-perform construction group which specializes in concrete work, carpentry, selective demolition, and general contracting. Like recently joined Christman after 29 years with Aristeo Construction, bringing expertise in labor relations, safety and risk management, and Lean production processes. Like holds a degree in civil engineering from Lawrence Technological University and is a resident of Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. 

 

The Christman Company, founded in 1894, has grown to become one of the country’s leading professional construction services firms. In conjunction with its affiliates Christman Capital Development Company and Christman Constructors, Inc., the company’s services include construction management, general contracting, design/build, real estate development, facilities planning and consulting, and self-performed skilled trades. For more information, visit www.christmanco.com.