ESSEX GENERAL CONSTRUCTION - Key Persons
My family moved to Oregon in 1981 from back east so my father could head up Hewlett Packard in McMinnville. I�ve grown to love the state and consider myself a true Oregonian. In college, I pursued a degree in Architecture, and finished up at the Oregon School of Design in Portland (now part of the University of Oregon � go Ducks!), graduating with my B.S. in Architecture. I worked in that field from 1987 to 2001, and still enjoy design and using my creative skills whenever I can. I believe it is a real strength and advantage that I can offer my clients. I definitely understand my projects from more than just the construction realm, which shows if a challenge needs to be solved on a job. It�s also allowed me to understand the entire design and construction process more thoroughly and help improve the partnership with design professionals when we�re working together.
My passion for golf actually led to a career in construction. When I was in my 20s, I ran for and was elected to the board while a member at a private club after realizing that some much-needed changes would only happen if members that cared stepped up to help. I initially chaired the long-term planning and development committee. I eventually became president of the board and we did achieve some good changes at the club. After seeing my results at the club, one of my committee members swayed me to consider a career in construction management and to come work for him in his construction company. I was there until 2004, and left to join another company where I was a partner and could have more influence over management and growth.
While there I managed numerous customers including several telecommunications companies, high tech, USDA food grade facilities, health care, retail customers and a variety of tenant improvement projects. My career has now led me to Essex, which I believe is a great fit for my skills and goals in the construction field. I specialize in small projects and am excited to head up this division for them. It is a tricky area at times and my clients have time and again expressed their appreciation at my timeliness and get-it-done attitude.
In my free time I enjoy getting outdoors and enjoying all that Oregon and the west coast has to offer, including taking my two boys Jaxx & Nash golfing, swimming, skiing, fishing and on other adventures. They are great kids and I spend as much time as I can with them. My wonderful wife Mindi and I enjoy buying houses, fixing them up and selling them. I also design and build furniture, cabinets and various other artistic endeavors. Once an architect, always an architect. Life with my family is always busy and entertaining.
I have been a part of Essex since June of 2011. I am the Accounting and IT Manager. My goal is not only to support existing IT infrastructures but to create new solutions to streamline processes.
Born and raised in Eugene I graduated from the University of Oregon in 2013 with a degree in Business Administration from the Lundquist College of Business. When I have free time I enjoy hiking with my wife or riding my bike.
I grew up in the small town of Vernonia Oregon where my dad worked in the timber industry. After graduating high school I attended Oregon State University. After considering a forestry major, I switched gears and got my bachelor�s degree in business administration. During summer breaks I worked as a logger. I enjoyed being outdoors, so after graduating I worked as a carpenter for seven years, becoming a journeyman along the way. Eventually the Oregon rains wore me down and I decided to use my degree. I joined a large construction company as a project engineer. I learned that side of the business and worked my way up to Senior Estimator / Preconstruction Project Manager. After working for that firm for 16 years, I decided to strike out on my own, got my general contractors license and flipped a house or two. Since that time, I�ve worked for a couple of other large general contractors and participated in many varied and complex higher-ed, housing, mixed-use, and medical projects.
I decided to join Essex as a Senior Project Manager because at heart I�m not a big corporate guy. I�m a builder. I want to be in touch with the work and get out on the job sites. I enjoy working with people that share the same passion. My role at Essex is to chaperone projects from conception to completion, getting involved early during preconstruction. I see my role as advocating for the client, the design team and the end user. Collaboration is where it�s at. When I do my job right, each project I touch will be well-prepared for the build team�s success.
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Development
I�m a 5 th generation Oregonian. My father�s family came from Ireland in the late 1800�s and settled on property outside of Harrisburg that I grew up on . It was great growing up in a farming community and I started working on local farms at age 12. I went to Oregon State and the University of Idaho and studied forestry engineering / timber harvesting, which gave me my first feel for construction while building logging roads. During my college career, I was equally interested in both forestry and construction and kept switching my major. In the end I graduated with a B.S. in forestry, and then went directly to work in construction.
I worked for Andersen Construction for 11 years, starting as a Project Engineer. I then had the opportunity to become a Project Manager, Business Development Manager and eventually a senior leader, that helped start and operate their Eugene office. During my time at Andersen, I also worked on the development side of the business, filling the role of an Owner�s Rep.
I joined Essex in 2015 to help build our team in Portland.
When I was young I grew up on 10 acres and spent many a day building tree houses, forts and hay mazes with my brothers and childhood friends. In high school I worked as a laborer and a very unskilled carpenter and at sixteen I started a landscaping business with my best friend. This is where my love for both business and construction began. After working as a commercial construction laborer and concrete cutter during college I knew my career path and the industry I wanted to be a part of � commercial construction.
Following college I worked for a large commercial general contractor and then as an in house construction & development manager for a privately held company. Following that and prior to joining Essex, I started and ran a construction management, inspection and consulting firm for over seven years. Clients relied on our firm to monitor their commercial construction projects throughout the Northwest.
My father, grandfather and great-grandfather were all carpenters. I grew up in a construction family, and remember working with my dad on houses from a young age. After high school I joined the Army, and spent six years in the infantry. When I was 26 I started my own construction business, working as a framing subcontractor and general contractor in Portland and Bend. I made a decision to move into project management and put my skills and experience to work as an employee, and opportunities opened up for me in commercial estimating as well. This career path has been very rewarding and I enjoy the challenge and detail work of putting projects together, both on paper and in the field. I believe that having �one foot in the blue collar world and one in the white collar world� as well as strong computer skills has been very advantageous to my career in the construction industry.
At Essex I am the Estimating Manager. Our department produces hard bids and also works closely with clients and design professionals on design-assist projects. We have a great team in the estimating department, and it�s a pleasure to work with such an experienced and professional group of people.
I have two wonderful daughters, Adria and Kassi, who both graduated from Oregon universities and are doing great. On days off I spend time in both the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon, riding horses that my girlfriend Cate and I have raised, hiking, camping, and getting outdoors. I am also an avid reader, and do a bit of writing and computer programming as a hobby.
I joined Essex in 2023 to be a part of a true builder culture and an incredible company.
I am originally from Utah and grew up near Salt Lake City, attending the University of Utah and graduating in Economics. In high school, I picked up part-time work as a carpenter. I ended up working in the construction industry in one form or another, including starting my own contracting business before moving to Oregon. My experiences early on set me on a lifelong passion for construction.
I have been in Oregon for the last 19 years, working with two general contractors before coming over to Essex. First, I was with KDA Construction out of Salem where I learned all about senior housing. I was fortunate enough to travel the country and learn construction techniques and processes from the West Coast to the East Coast. Next, I was at Pence Contractors starting as a Project Manager and working my way to Vice President. During my tenure at Pence, I was able to help build the company structure, teams, and culture to thrive in the multifamily, affordable, and senior construction sectors.
Growing up in Utah I started outdoor activities young and fortunately was able to get my kids interested in the great outdoors early in life as well. My Wife Alexis and I have 2 amazing kids (Race and Ella), our favorite activities include snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, climbing, hiking and fishing. In my free time you may find us at Mount Hood, Squamish, Moab or somewhere else awesome enjoying the outdoors.
I was born and raised in Junction City. In fact I�m among the 4 th generation in my family to graduate from Junction City High School. After receiving my associates degree in Business from Linn Benton Community College, I went to work for three years at Cherry City Electric as a Project Engineer. I knew I wanted to work for a general contractor, and heard nothing but good things about Essex, so that is where I applied. Fortunately they hired me and I�m now a Project Engineer at Essex.
I am an outdoorsman, and when I�m not at work it�s quite likely I�m hunting, fishing or camping with friends and family.
I started my life in construction as a laborer packing drywall on a Trammell Crow mixed-use project. It was tough physical work. I was fortunate to be given an opportunity to learn how to steel frame. From that, I eventually became a journeyman carpenter, then a foreman, an assistant superintendent, a superintendent, and now general superintendent. After becoming a superintendent, I studied construction management at the University of Washington. The program helped me increase my knowledge of construction, especially when it comes to design and construction financing.
After living and working in Washington for a number of years, I decided to move back to Oregon where I was raised. I researched a number of Portland area general contractors and Essex really stood out. I appreciated their commitment to quality and integrity. They set the bar high. Their thoughtful approach to hiring and the time they invested in making sure I was a good fit, made me want to be a part of this team even more. They expect a lot from their staff, subcontractors and suppliers. I am convinced that their clients appreciate this. I see this firm continuing to grow and succeed and I�m happy to grow with it.
I am married to Jami Vroman and we have two daughters, Shallan and Dellaney.
I was born in Cottage Grove and raised in Yoncalla and Harrisburg. Instead of college I opted for the school of life. I am a tradesman. I went through the carpenters training program and carpenter superintendent program with the carpenters union in Las Vegas.
I grew up in the Portland area before going to the University of Washington where I played on the lacrosse team and earned my bachelor�s degree in Construction Management. My mother had studied architecture and my father studied civil engineering, and I wanted to follow a similar career path. After exploring both architecture and engineering, I turned my focus to construction. This was the happy medium between the two, with not too much design or too much math. In construction I�m able to bring my strengths, by working with architects, engineers and other building professionals in a collaborative way.
After graduating I worked as a project engineer for a general contractor in Seattle, building both midrise and garden-style multifamily housing. I stayed there for four years, until my girlfriend and I decided we wanted to live closer to our families in the Portland area. I�m so glad I found Essex where I can continue to put my skills to work at a company that values collaboration and has a strong commitment to quality construction.
When I�m not at work you are likely to find me outdoors. My girlfriend and I are very active. We enjoy snow skiing, water skiing, hiking, backpacking and mountain biking. I also enjoy coaching lacrosse, playing guitar, and I love to travel. I have backpacked through Europe, South America and Thailand. I look forward to exploring more of the world.
I was born on the coast in Southwest Washington and grew up sailing and fishing. I graduated at 16 and left home shortly thereafter. I went to college in Bellingham, WA And worked at Mt. Baker for 2 years. After college I moved to Portland to form a surf rock band, where we played locally.
When I turned 21, I moved to Maui and lived there for 11 years. I ran a crew building multimillion-dollar custom homes along the golf courses of Wailea. For fun I surfed, spearfished, and competed in long-distance triathlons. I moved back to the mainland to look after my mom and take care of her property on the coast. I worked for myself doing residential remodels from Portland down to Palos Verdes. I�d take the winter off and live in Seaside so I could focus on surfing.
I joined Essex in October of 1997
I have been a project manager with Essex for many years. I have been served well by my �can do� attitude. I enjoy the challenges construction presents me every day. I have had extensive experience in remodeling projects on difficult sites and with short schedules.
I spent four years in service to my country in the U.S. Army. I was a Power Generations/Combat Engineer.
I have wonderful grandkids and enjoy every minute I get to spend with them. When I�m not with the grandkids, I love to go skiing, boating and riding off road on all terrain vehicles.
John brings years of construction experience to the Essex team. He is a fantastic Project Superintendent and we're fortunate to have him.
A long time ago, back in the 70�s, I was a design/build home builder. Even back then I was a proponent for sustainable building. I still believe in the importance and value of green building practices and have made it a core value for us at Essex. We advocate for sustainable practices in all phases of the construction industry and our lives.
I believe in giving back to our community, having served 6 years on the Board of Directors of Food for Lane County and continue to sponsor this organization and many other local non profits that helped the under-served.
I was born in Roseburg and raised in the Sierra Nevadas in Twain Harte, California. Twain Harte was named after two famous authors who lived in California, Mark Twain and Bret Harte. My twin sister and I attended school in Twain Harte until 9 th grade, and then moved back to Roseburg to attend high school.
When I was young, my dad was a general contractor, who built spec houses. That�s what first got me interested in construction. My father is no longer a contractor, but my interest in building continued.
After graduating high school, my family moved to Portland where I started doing some small construction jobs. I then worked for a framing contractor for ten years, while also bartending on the side. When the economic downturn hit, I decided to go back to school. I attended Portland State University, where I got a Bachelor of Science degree in supply chain logistics. This knowledge fit well with my construction experience. After graduating, my wife and I bought a house. Believe it or not, our Realtor introduced me to one of the owners of Essex. What good fortune � I had a new home and found a great job.
When I�m not working, I enjoy doing hands on work and building things. I help friends and family out with projects whenever I can. I also enjoy snowboarding, but by far, my favorite hobby is golfing. When it�s not snowing and I�m not building things, your likely to find me on a golf course.
I was born in Anchorage, Alaska and grew up in Palmer where my grandparents lived. My entire career has been in construction. I started down that path at 15, working after school and on weekends at an interior finish company that was committed to high-quality construction. They milled their own lumber and custom-built cabinets. The commitment to quality I learned there is still with me today. I worked my way up at that company, learning new skills along the way.
When I was 20 I got my first job as a project superintendent for a residential contractor. I worked in residential construction for about a decade until the day I walked into a Sears store that was being remodeled. Suddenly everyone went on break, and I thought how cool is that? There were no breaks in residential construction in Alaska. I said, �how do I get a job like this?� A laborer heard me and introduced me to the boss. They put me to work at that store, and within four weeks I became the project superintendent and finished the job. I continued working for that general contractor, traveling around the country building Sears stores. After a few years I returned to Alaska to spend time with my aging grandparents and to raise my daughter. In Alaska, I worked commercial construction during the summers and would took the rest of the year off.
Eventually my wife and I decided to move to Portland. I�d done a project there earlier, and we both liked it. Also, her mother and sister had moved there. I started my own firm in Portland at 35 and did a good business until the Great Recession, when we decided to head back to Alaska once again. After another five years in Alaska, we headed back to Portland, where I worked for a general contractor, before finding my way to Essex. It�s been a great career, with a strong focus on quality construction.
When I�m not working, you�ll find me outdoors. I enjoy hunting, fishing, riding quads, shooting, golf and just about anything that gets me outside. Family is very important to me, and I spend as much time as possible with my beautiful wife, daughter and grandson. I�m a natural mechanic and tinkerer, having learned those skills from my grandfather. I really enjoy working with my hands. It�s not unusual to see me fixing something or building something for friends and family when I�m not on a job site. There is never a dull moment, and that�s how I like it.
I was raised in a small town in Southern Idaho. My parents were middle school teachers. Summers for me meant finding a job, with the limited options of farming/agriculture or construction. Lucky for me, my father was a contractor when he wasn�t teaching. We built a house every summer. I wasn�t getting paid unless my tool belt was on. I worked on wood framing, finish carpentry, and exterior finishes all summer long. That developed my passion for and fundamental background in construction.
I graduated from Gooding High School. After exploring other career options, I decided construction was a great choice for me. I relocated to the Salt Lake City area and attended Utah Valley University, where I earned a bachelor�s degree in Construction Management. I worked part-time for some of the local General Contractors while I studied.
After graduating I was already working for a nation-wide general contractor, so I went from being part-time to full-time. I worked on projects ranging from $10 million to over $100 million.
I recently coached High School Track & Field (Long Distance & High Jump) before relocating from Idaho for my job as a Project Manager / Estimator at Essex. It made for a fun and relatable transition moving to a city recognized as Track Town USA. I�ve never lived in Oregon before but so far I like the outdoor culture and everyone at work has been very friendly making my transition to a new state much more enjoyable.
Larry was born in New York City and raised in New Jersey. He went to school at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering. As a student he interned with a General Contractor in New York City and was hired as a Project Engineer after graduating. During his three years in construction in the City he realized the construction scene there didn�t fit with the work life balance he had hoped for.
Rather than climbing up the corporate ladder in New York, he opted to move to Portland, where he met his wife, who, coincidentally, also moved to Portland at the same time, a place where neither of them knew anyone. He was hired by a development / construction company as an Associate Project Manager, working on a high-rise residential project. Once that project was completed, he was promoted to Project Manager, running another apartment project. After leaving that firm he had hoped to join Essex after interviewing with Bo, but the timing wasn�t quite right. He worked for a smaller contractor instead, working primarily on pre-engineered metal buildings including aviation hangars. When work for that firm slowed down, he reached back out to Bo, and the rest is history.
Larry and his wife Megan enjoy the community they�ve built in their church, as well as hiking and just about any outdoor activities, so Portland has been a great location for them. Now as parents to Eliana, an active toddler, they spend most of their free time happily enjoying her company. Hiking will have to wait a bit.
Job Titles:
- Special Project Superintendent
Matt was born in Sacramento and raised in Portland. He graduated from Evergreen High School in Vancouver, Washington. He�s taken classes in blueprints and metal stud framing. He fell into working in the trades 30 years ago and brings a wealth of experience to our team.
Matt is married and has a young son. When he�s not working, he is a drummer, playing heavy metal. To get away from it all he enjoys camping.
I grew up in residential construction, and decided to pursue construction as a career. After high school, I earned an Associates Degree in drafting and engineering technology. My professional experience includes detailing commercial cabinetry, and working in a steel fabrication shop, initially as the Sales and Estimating Coordinator and eventually becoming a Project Engineer. I even worked as a CNA at a hospital during the recession, but quickly returned to construction when jobs were more plentiful. All these experiences prepared me well for my work as a Project Engineer at Essex.
I grew up in Roseburg and moved Ashland to attend Southern Oregon University where I was able to be a part of the football team. After 2 years I decided to move to Eugene to attend the University of Oregon. I worked as a construction laborer and carpenter throughout my years at UO to pay for college. It turns out that I really enjoy construction. After graduating with a B.A. in Political Science, I continued working in the field. My employer at the time sent me out of town a lot, so I decided to look for another firm to join. Essex reached out, and I was happy to make the switch. I�ve worked my way up at Essex and am now an Assistant Superintendent.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Concrete Superintendent
Job Titles:
- Special Project Superintendent