Higher Education Markets Pepper Construction

Higher Education

A different kind of workforce requires a different kind of learning. Preparing students for their future means areas for socializing, flexible and collaborative learning spaces and facilities that integrate different schools of thought.

Add to BookBuilder

Building for the total student experience

Pepper’s experience is as well-rounded as today’s students. Whether blending undergraduate studies with graduate research, libraries with technology or two different schools, Pepper helps our clients prepare your students for success. As you consider the performance of your building over the long term, you’ll want to consider life cycle cost analysis, energy modeling and model-based facility management solutions.

For us, working on college and university campuses has many unique considerations, like keeping students safe, scheduling around ball games and events and considering how the project impacts the surrounding neighborhoods. However, one of the most exciting opportunities is integrating students into the project, from guided tours, to internships, classroom instruction and making the project part of the curriculum.

Related Projects

Purdue Exterior

Purdue University Flex Lab Facility

Add to BookBuilder

Indiana University Swain Hall East & West Renovations

Add to BookBuilder

Liebman Science Center

McHenry County College, Liebman Science Center

Add to BookBuilder

Experts

Tim Cooper, LEED® AP BD+C Executive Vice President, Illinois

Tim Cooper, LEED® AP BD+C Executive Vice President, Illinois

Tim began his career with Pepper in 1995 as a project manager, where he served our healthcare, secondary education and corporate headquarters clients in both private and public sectors. He has developed strong teams who have managed several of Pepper's most long-standing client partnerships. Over the years, Tim has grown into various operational leadership positions and today serves as executive vice president of our Barrington office and Milwaukee operations. He also has played a key role in the company's strategic planning initiatives with an emphasis on improving operations and developing Pepper's approach to Lean construction. Tim holds an MBA from Indiana University, and he earned his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Purdue University. He is a LEED AP BD+C and is ASHE Healthcare Construction certified.

Mike Stensland Senior Vice President, Illinois

Mike Stensland Senior Vice President, Illinois

As senior vice president Mike leads our teams on hospitality, cultural, civic and retail projects. He is responsible for the overall profitability and growth of the markets he supports, as well as supporting and developing the teams in his group. Over his lengthy career at Pepper, Mike has been instrumental in expanding our geographic reach, developing new clients, and taking existing relationships to a new level. Through his leadership, Mike and his team have significantly grown our institutional and higher education markets. Mike earned his construction engineering degree from Iowa State University and his MBA from the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Jim Creath, LEED® AP BD+C Senior Vice President, Illinois

Jim Creath, LEED® AP BD+C Senior Vice President, Illinois

Jim began his career with Pepper Construction in 1988. Since then, he has worked in nearly every market we serve and on some of our largest projects. Jim provides team leadership to our Barrington office, particularly for senior living, higher education and institutional projects. He has played a leadership role in developing strong teams and enduring client relationships. Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University and is a LEED AP BD+C. He is also an AIC-Certified Professional Constructor.

Jeff Johnson Senior Vice President, Wisconsin

Jeff Johnson Senior Vice President, Wisconsin

With more than 30 years of experience, Senior Vice President Jeff Johnson is an accomplished lean construction practitioner and a recognized thought leader in Integrated Project Delivery. He has served in an executive role on several integrated projects and has worked with all contracting methods, including tri-party agreements. As such, Jeff advises project teams in all locations on collaborative project strategies. His experience includes projects in healthcare, higher education, commercial and industrial markets throughout the Midwest.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Montana State University. As an industry leader, Jeff is a member of Lean Construction Institute (LCI), ASHE and AGC of Wisconsin. Jeff gives back through support of the American Heart Association, City of Hope and Habitat for Humanity.

Brian Healy, LEED® AP Project Director, Vice President, Illinois

Brian Healy, LEED® AP Project Director, Vice President, Illinois

Brian serves as one of Pepper Construction's higher education leaders, having completed more than one million square feet of college and university projects throughout the Midwest. His clients range from some of the most recognizable institutions in the region, like the University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, to smaller liberal arts and community colleges like Dominican University and North Central College. Brian's strength is in leading teams through the preconstruction planning process, and in 2014, he served on a panel at MAPPA, where they discussed the pros and cons of capital project trends. Brian holds a MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Marquette University. He has served as a member of the National Alumni Association Board of Directors for Marquette University, currently serves on the Marquette University Civil Engineering Academic Advisory Board, the Associated College of Illinois Board of Trustees and is a member of the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP).

Chris Rayner Vice President, Indiana

Chris Rayner Vice President, Indiana

Chris Rayner has 27 years of industry experience. With more than $400 million in university construction experience and more than 750,000 square feet in K-12 spaces, Chris leads Pepper Indiana’s higher education and K-12 teams. $350 million of that is with STEM facilities. In addition to serving our higher education clients, Chris has also worked on $1 billion in healthcare projects.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University, and he is a LEED AP. He was a featured speaker at The State of Indiana Division of Supplier Diversity.

JD Barnes, LEED® AP Senior Project Manager, Ohio

JD Barnes, LEED® AP Senior Project Manager, Ohio

JD has been in the construction industry for over a decade with expertise in the civic and cultural, commercial interiors, healthcare and higher education markets. His experience in a variety of markets allows him to bring new ideas and insight to our clients and their projects. JD has a passion for leveraging technology to improve how we build, communicate our plans with our clients and help them visualize their projects.

A dedicated volunteer for the annual Little Miami River Clean Up and the Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church food drive, JD is committed to helping build stronger, healthier communities. He currently serves as the Treasurer/Secretary of the NKU Construction Management Industrial Advisory Board. Addtionally, JD is assisting in this year's coordination of volunteers and construction schedules for the Reds Community Fund field renovation projects.

JD holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering from Purdue University. He is ASCHE – Healthcare Certified, Green Advantage Certified and is a LEED AP.