Welcome: New Team Members!

Dylan Swicegood
Preconstruction Engineer

Dylan Swicegood joined Russell as a Preconstruction Engineer in January. A familiar face, Dylan previously interned with our Preconstruction department in May 2021. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Toledo with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Technologies and a minor in Business Administration. In his new role, Dylan is responsible for assisting the preconstruction team with the many different phases of assigned projects, including budgeting, estimating, bidding, engineering, operations turnover, and more.

Mike Maland joined the St. Louis office as a Senior Project Manager in early January. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Arizona State University and brings over 20 years of commercial construction experience. Over the years, Mike has managed and executed multi-million-dollar projects across the western United States. Prior to joining Russell, Matt’s expertise was utilized at a global general contractor. As a Senior Project Manager, Mike is responsible for a project’s overall organization, management, budget analysis, and schedule management through contract closeout.

Travis Follick
Senior Project Manager

Russell is excited to highlight Travis Follick as a Senior Project Manager in our Kansas City office. Travis holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science & Management from Kansas State University. He brings over 20 years of experience and expertise in estimating, budgeting, scheduling, owner contract negotiations, subcontractor contract negotiations, project management, and safety standards. This expertise has been key to Travis’ success in client satisfaction and repeat business.

Jason Jacobson
Vice President of Business Development

Jason Jacobson has joined Russell as a Vice President of Business Development in our Kansas City office. With over 30 years of experience, Jason is responsible for building relationships and promoting brand awareness in the Kansas City market and surrounding communities. Jason studied Business Management at St. Cloud State in Minnesota and served in the Missouri National Guard as a 51-Bravo Construction Masonry Specialist.

Stacey White
Accounts Payable Clerk

From marketing to project coordination to accounting, in her over 20 years of experience, Stacey White has seen and done it all. Her attitude toward learning and adapting is what makes her a key contributor to our future growth plans in Russell’s Kansas City office. Stacey is currently dedicating her time to training in the Subcontracts Accounts Payable part of our Accounting team and will be taking on both pay app entry and check run processing responsibilities.

Don Crabtree
Executive Vice President

Don Crabtree has joined Russell’s Kansas City office as an Executive Vice President.  He holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Sciences from Kansas State University, and his years of construction experience in estimating, marketing, and customer development will be instrumental in growing our Kanas City office. Don cultivates Business Development leads, assists with conceptual project estimates, and acts in an executive capacity on major projects.

Joline Witte
Office Assistant

Joline Witte joined Russell as a part-time office assistant in January 2022. Joline is a recent retiree from local government administrative position and is eager for a more flexible schedule with part-time work while still utilizing her administrative expertise. Joline’s years of experience in administrative services make her a perfect fit for her new role here at Russell.

Steve Ogden
General Foreman

Steve Ogden has joined Russell’s Kansas City office as a General Foreman.  Previously employed with Merit Construction prior to the acquisition, Steve knows the ins and outs of the Kansas City subcontractor market like no one else. He is passionate about his job and continuously strives to ensure that all pieces of a project are accounted for, and that all team members are working their hardest. Steve intends to utilize his passion for the industry to keep him working for a long time.

Roger Fontaine
Carpenter / Foreman

Roger Fontaine has joined Russell’s Kansas City office as a General Foreman.  Prior to working with Russell, Roger gained valuable experience as a business owner and has utilized his extensive skills in plumbing, electricity, HVAC, fire sprinklers, alarms, and drywall, and has filled roles from carpenter to superintendent. Roger’s knowledge of projects and willingness to learn truly makes him an invaluable member of our team!

Randy Lillard
Carpenter / Foreman

Randy Lillard has joined Russell’s Kansas City office as a General Foreman.  Previously employed with Merit Construction prior to the acquisition, Randy brings with him over 25 years of experience and has learned that communication is the most important tool in any project. He is always sure to file daily reports, log photos, and keep Procore up to date for himself and his team. Randy’s easy-going demeanor has aided in the success of countless projects, and he is excited for his future with Russell.

Jacob Bauer
Carpenter / Foreman

Jacob Bauer has joined Russell’s Kansas City office as a Carpenter / Foreman. Over the last five years, Jacob has continued to utilize and strengthen his carpentry skills. Carpentry has always been an interest of Jacob’s in both his work and home lives. Additionally, Jacob has acquired skills in walling and wall-patching, plumbing, and receptacle installations. Jacob’s persistent dedication to his work will continue to benefit Russell’s Kansas City office for years to come!

Devin Schrieber
Project Engineer

Devin Schrieber has officially joined Russell’s St. Louis office as a Project Engineer in February 2022. Devin holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology, and while there, she was active in the Associated General Contractors of Missouri as a Student Chapter President. Prior to joining Russell, Devin worked for a local St. Louis general contractor.  In her new role, Devin continues to hone her management skills to further her passion for the industry and continues in her involvement with the Associated General Contractors of Missouri (AGCMO).

Matt Keyes
Senior Project Manager

Matt Keyes is a familiar face to many at Russell and has rejoined our team as a Senior Project Manager after previously working with us from 2010 – 2017. His diverse construction portfolio includes projects in various market segments, including higher education, K-12, financial, religious, and for the federal government, specifically the US Army Corps of Engineers.  As a Senior Project Manager, Matt oversees pursuits and current projects in our government contracting division.

Sam Gibbs
Senior Superintendent

Russell is excited to announce that Sam Gibbs has joined as a Senior Superintendent in our Kansas City office! Sam brings a diverse construction portfolio that includes projects in various market segments, including healthcare, higher-ed, K-12, hospitality, municipal, and banking. As a Senior Superintendent, Sam is responsible for day-to-day on-site activities including the coordination between prime and sub-contractors, quality control, schedule control, troubleshooting, and resolutions to any issues during construction with the overall goal of delivering a quality product every time.

Travis Odneal
Preconstruction Manager

Russell is eager to announce that Travis Odneal has joined our St. Louis office as a Preconstruction Manager. Travis holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla and brings over 15 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Russell, Travis worked at a St. Louis-based General Contractor. In his role, Travis provides preconstruction leadership for St. Louis pursuits, including design phase management, budgeting, estimating, and other client-facing activities.

Lynn Roberts
Senior Estimator

Russell is excited to announce that Lynn Roberts’ joined the Kansas City team, as a Senior Estimator! Lynn holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Northwest Missouri State University. In her 20 years in engineering and construction management firms, Lynn has gained expertise in estimating, construction management, subcontracts, procurement, and marketing. She is a LEED Green Associate and OSHA 10-Hour certified. Prior to joining Russell, Lynn worked for a North American-based, international construction services company. In this role, Lynn provides estimation support for both negotiated and competitive bid projects.

Rob Powell
Performance Division Manager

Rob Powell was our first new hire for the month of March, joining the Russell team on March 7^th, as a Performance Division Manager! Rob brings over 25 years of experience in the industry with an emphasis on commercial construction projects. Rob most recently worked for a local commercial contractor in the Quad Cities. In this role with Russell, Rob utilizes his knowledge of commercial construction to both objectively and subjectively assess the performance of our preconstruction and operations departments.

Devin Kuehl
Project Engineer

Russell is excited not only to welcome Devin Kuehl back to the Midwest but also to announce that he has joined our team as a Project Engineer! Devin holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology Management with an emphasis in Building Construction from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville. Before joining Russell, Devin spent a few years working for a general contractor in sunny Southern California! In his role, Devin plans, budgets, and organizes personnel for projects to ensure that they are as safe and efficient as possible.

Jason Fahrenkrog
Preconstruction Manager

Jason Fahrenkrog joined Russell as a Preconstruction Manager in March 2022! Jason brings over 20 years in the construction industry, the last 15 of those years have come from a local, well-established union commercial subcontractor. In this role, Jason will provide preconstruction leadership for project pursuits, including design phase management, budgeting, estimating, and other client-facing activities.

Thomas Hepner
Senior Preconstruction Manager

Russell is thrilled to announce the addition of Tom Hepner to the team as a Preconstruction Manager! Tom brings over 20 years of direct construction and construction management experience. Prior to working for Russell, Tom received a franchise management license and most recently worked with a local construction and development company. In his role at Russell, Tom’s construction management skills will be utilized to provide preconstruction leadership for pursuits, accurate and reliable cost opinions, and schedule management decisions.

Lea Ann Dies
Director of People and Culture

Lea Ann Dies is filling a brand-new role at Russell, and that is the role of Director of People and Culture! Prior to joining Russell, Lea Ann worked for another construction company where she demonstrated her passion and advocacy for people. She has a reputation for creating authentic and immediate connections, inspiring people to act, and embracing opportunities for change and exploration. Lea Ann is an SHRM-SCP, ACC-certified HR professional, which means she is a life-long learner of the human resources and talent industry.

Noah Fornero Green
Information Systems Technician

Russell officially welcomed a familiar face to the team this March! Noah Fornero Green joined us as an Information Technologies intern in December 2021. In that time, Noah has exhibited a great knowledge of Information Technologies, cementing himself as an asset to Russell and earning himself a full-time position. He graduated from the University of Illinois in August of 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences – Astronomy degree with a focus on working with large data. In this role, Noah is responsible for managing the helpdesk system, providing support, setting up and maintaining workstations and mobile devices, and assisting with IT initiatives.