Board of Directors
Benjamin Johnston, Chairman
James McHugh Construction Company
Ben oversees all legal matters for James McHugh Construction Company, a century-old general contracting firm, and advises its executive team on corporate and strategic matters. He is active within the industry as well, serving as a trustee of the Carpenters' Welfare and Pension Funds and a representative to the Mid-America Regional Bargaining Association.
A member of the Illinois bar, Johnston graduated magna cum laude from the University of Illinois School of Law in 1988. Prior to joining McHugh in 1996, he served as associate general counsel for Handy Andy Home Improvement Centers and was an associate with Pederson and Houpt, PC.
Jimmy Akintonde, Vice Chairman
Ujamaa Construction, Inc.
Jimmy Akintonde is the President of Ujamaa Construction, which he founded after serving as a Project Manager for Walsh Construction. Akintonde serves on the board of Genesis Housing Development Corporation, was presented with the Msgr. Jack Egan Community Service Award for commitment to the Bronzeville community in 2003 and accepted the Builders Association's Corporate Citizenship Award for Ujamaa in 2009.
Under Akintonde's leadership, Ujamaa routinely exceeds City of Chicago standards on projects for diversity and community residency and participates in a number of programs to promote youth involvement in the industry.
Jeff Raday, Treasurer
McShane Construction Company
Jeffrey A. Raday is the President of McShane Construction Company, a full-service design/build and general construction firm headquartered in Rosemont. Jeff leads the firm's national construction operations including the firm's offices in the Southeast, Southwest and Western regions. Jeff is a civil engineering graduate of Valparaiso University and holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois, is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and is past chairman of the Design-Build Institute of America.
Howard Strong, Past Chairman
George Sollitt Construction Co.
Howard Strong started work with The George Sollitt Construction Company in 1975 as an Assistant Superintendent. Over the last 29 years, Howard has worked in all aspects of construction, including field supervision, estimating, and project management, covering a wide range of construction projects. These have included major hospital, educational airport, industrial and municipal projects in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. He is currently CEO and President of The George Sollitt Construction Company. Howard earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy at Boston University, as well as a Construction Management degree from Bradley University.
Ken Egidi, Director
Pepper Construction Company
As President & CEO, Ken Egidi is responsible for setting Pepper Construction Company's mission and strategic vision and allocating the company's resources to meet those goals. He also provides strategic oversight and support for every area of the company.
Ken has more than 35 years of broad experience in the Chicagoland development and construction industry. He joined Pepper in 1986 and was appointed Senior Vice President/General Manager in 1998. He was instrumental in developing the company's Job Control System, a proprietary project management system.
Michael Mozal, Director
Joseph J. Duffy Company
Michael Mozal, President and Co-owner of the Joseph J. Duffy Company, has been an employee at the company since 1985. For the past 24 years, Mike has been involved in all aspects of construction, from field operations, project management and estimating to client negotiations, contracts and detail. Joseph J. Duffy has specialized in multi-unit residential construction since opening its doors in 1923.
Projects under Mike's leadership at Duffy include over 60 buildings with over 5,000 units of Retirement and Multi-Family housing of all types, focusing on senior services in addition to commercial, medical, nursing home and parking structure projects. He has served as a Board Member of the Construction Specifications Institute and maintains an LEED AP Certification to stay up to date with green building trends.
Matt Sprenzel
Installation Specialists
Matt Sprenzel, ISI CEO, graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in 1976 with a Construction degree. He was a Field Installer for ISI from 1976 to 1981, Operations Manager from 1981 to 1989, and is now the Chief Executive Officer, with the primary responsibility for the forecasted margins and success of the ISI Sales team. Additionally, Matt is personally involved in formulating the corporate benchmark and policies for ISI's performance, creating the baseline work schedule process and establishing staff requirements. Matt also serves as the Supervising Principal on many projects with clients that he manages directly.
Brad Swaback, Director
Just Rite Acoustics, Inc.
Brad Swaback is President of Just Rite Acoustics, which was founded in 1978. He has been in the acoustical industry for over 23 years and oversees Just Rite's operations in Chicago, Tinley Park and Arizona.
Ray Wojkovich, Director
Bulley & Andrews, LLC
Ray Wojkovich, Vice President with Bulley & Andrews, LLC, has been engaged in the construction industry for over 25 years, serving as a Resident Engineer, Project Manager, Senior Project Manager and Vice President. A graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, Mr. Wojkovich spent 13 years with the Veteran's Administration on various hospital projects throughout the country. He joined Bulley & Andrews in August 1996 and now leads the firm's healthcare and senior living business unit. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of Illinois, LEED AP and a member of the American Society of Engineers.