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Earlier this summer, Pepper’s preconstruction teams across the organization came together at our Indiana location for the inaugural Preconstruction Summit. Throughout the two-day summit, teammates connected and learned from each other, a reflection of the collaboration that is foundational to effective preconstruction phases and successful projects.
From left: Tom Sanderson (Senior Vice President, Illinois), Tony Budke (Director, Ohio-Cincinnati), Brandon Moore (Vice President, Ohio-Columbus) and Paul Riehle (Senior Vice President, Indiana) gathering in preparation for the beginning of the summit.
The Importance of Preconstruction
Many people think a construction project starts at the groundbreaking ceremony, however there are often months of planning before Pepper steps foot on a job site. As expected, the preconstruction phase occurs before any physical work begins on-site. It acts as a bridge between an owner’s vision and the actual building by defining the budget, project scope, timeline and architectural designs. The planning phase is crucial to the success of project, which is why every project at Pepper starts with extensive Preconstruction efforts as soon as an RFP is received.
Preconstruction also helps owners get more value out of their building by fostering early collaboration coordination and decision-making power By starting out a build with extensive research and detailed estimating for materials, subcontractors options and scheduling plans, owners gain a clearer understanding of what bringing a project into reality entails. For example, on a recent stadium project the preconstruction team priced out what it would cost to put in faux finishes versus real brass finishes. This allowed the owner to consider their options and make the choice that was right for them.
"Preconstruction is evaluating and working with the client on setting expectations for design and budget to run parallel paths to make sure that we're working well with the design team...We need to make sure they're not designing something the owner can't afford."
Brandon Moore Vice President, Preconstruction Services, Pepper Ohio
Andy VanderVinne (Project Executive, Indiana) shares reflections and insights during a group discussion.
Preconstruction is a team effort and often requires coordination with other departments including Virtual Design Construction, Accounting, Project Management and Field Operations. Extensive collaboration is necessary to ensure that every facet of the project has been carefully considered so that owners are provided with a realistic assessment of what a build will entail.
Joe Steltenkamp, Senior Project Manager in Ohio, sums up these efforts as simply trying “to take all the pieces of the puzzle and put them together to help the owner understand what they're going to get.” Preconstruction is one of the most crucial steps to any build. By prioritizing the process Pepper provides clients with a full picture of cost, schedule and execution of a project, leading to fully thought-out plans and successful end results.
Coordinating Connections
The recent Preconstruction Summit was designed to bring together Pepper's preconstruction professionals across the organization to share knowledge, build connections, provide resources, discuss process improvements and consider upcoming opportunities. The event included presentations from each office on current projects, tips and tricks for programs like Destini, best practices and a small group brainstorm session to set goals for the next year.
The summit’s “goal and the intent are not to drive uniformity amongst all the offices. There's uniqueness in our markets. There's uniqueness of situations of how we do it” said Tom Sanderson, Senior Vice President in Chicago. “The goal here is to find resources and opportunities for collaboration. Also, if you hear something from somebody along the way, it's good to be able to get more information or a different perspective , and you can reach out directly when you're in a pinch and need to discuss ideas.”
Each office has its own specialties or primary markets, from schools and high-rises to hospitals and warehouses to multifamily housing, museums and retail. Creating strong connections across our preconstruction teams allows them to lean on each other when new projects require specific expertise.
Participants reflect on key takeaways from the summit and share their thoughts with their small group.
Teams collaborate in small groups to identify priorities and develop goals for the years ahead.
Winning Work and Shaping What's Next
In a session focused on recent project wins, the group expanded on the thought processes and various efforts that went into securing the work. The Indiana team shared that they completed an in-depth estimate and assumption-based renderings early in the RFP and interviewing process for a 560,000 square-foot lab/warehouse facility. The extraordinary, atypical efforts from the team helped Pepper stand out among the competition and directly contributed to being awarded the project. Team members also discussed their vision for the future of the preconstruction team, identifying what initiatives Pepper should explore, what processes could be created or improved and what Pepper should do to stand out as leaders in the field.
Proposed rendering of the project the Indiana team highlighted.
Tony Budke (Director, Ohio) taking notes as team members share their thoughts on the opportunities and improvements they would like to see for the Pepper preconstruction team.
"The importance of the preconstruction summit was not only to understand how each office approached the preconstruction efforts in their respective markets, but to have all the Pepper preconstruction professionals come together...The synergy amongst the preconstruction professionals from all the offices was inspiring for what the future holds in advancing preconstruction for both Pepper and our industry.”
Paul Riehle Senior Vice President, Pepper Indiana
From Summit to Success: Taking Lessons Home
The 2026 Preconstruction Summit ended with a final group photo before attendees returned to their respective offices. From interns to Senior Vice Presidents, team members had the opportunity to learn from one another, share ideas and build relationships. By creating space to connect around a shared passion for preconstruction, the summit strengthened collaboration across offices and helped lay the groundwork for future success.
Summit attendees gather for a group photo outside the Pepper Indiana office at the conclusion of the Preconstruction Summit.