VIP STRUCTURES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Safety and Field Superintendents
Job Titles:
- President of Construction
As President of Construction, Christine Stevens delivers excellence by understanding and fulfilling each client's distinct vision. She has a keen ability to transform ideas into reality while working collaboratively with clients to discover the most advantageous options, establish realistic schedules, manage budgets effectively, and allocate necessary resources. Christine also works with clients to assist with attaining economic development incentives.
Christine brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her role, having previously served as the Senior Vice President and Interim General Manager of Construction, where she strengthened financial performance, operations, and morale; retained and recruited talented staff; and served as a role model for client relations and teamwork. Having also held various other leadership roles at VIP over the last seven years, Christine has led some of VIP's largest and most complex projects, including Cryomech's High-Tech Manufacturing facility in Dewitt and the redevelopment of the Post-Standard building in Downtown Syracuse. Furthermore, she has extensive experience in development, commercial real-estate, sales, and project management.
Christine earned her Master's Degree in International Relations & Economics from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies and a B.A. in Political Science from Fordham University. Before joining VIP Structures, Christine worked in commercial real estate where she led development projects and managed a diverse portfolio of real estate assets. She also spent fifteen years working in international development and living overseas, responsible for program management, strategic planning, budgeting and reporting, public relations, and donor coordination.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- VIP 's Chief Financial Officer
Chris Paulus, VIP's Chief Financial Officer, oversees the organization's financial operations, including management of each operating company's financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, risk management, and internal controls. In addition, Chris contributes to strategy and manages the banking and lending relationships.
Before joining VIP, Chris was a commercial real estate lender for Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank in Washington, D.C., for a decade and worked for a real estate development company in Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX. Chris received a finance and accounting degree from the University of Georgetown and an MBA from Loyola University Maryland. He enjoys spending time with his wife and kids.
Education
Sellinger School of Business and Management, Loyal University Maryland, MBA
McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University, BBA
Job Titles:
- President of Development
- President of VIP Development
Chuck Wallace is the President of VIP Development, which offers full-service real estate development, property management, and complete turn-key solutions to commercial construction needs. As President of Development, Chuck focuses on strategic planning, business development, project financing, and leading future development projects.
Chuck has been an essential development team member for 13 years, starting as the head of property management, being quickly promoted to Vice President of Development, and ultimately becoming President. Chuck was critical in the success of many VIP Development properties, notably the Pike Block downtown mixed-use building, Cryomech's manufacturing facility, the Post Standard building redevelopment, and 1304 Buckley Road's medical offices.
Education
Cornell University, BS Applied Economics & Management
Job Titles:
- Chief People Strategist
- VIP 's Chief People Strategist
Cynthia Hernandez is VIP's Chief People Strategist who leads efforts to create a thriving work environment for all VIP employees, including a strong vision for the future and an inclusive culture where everyone can grow, thrive, and feel vital to the success of VIP. In addition, Cynthia uses her expertise to foster a positive culture that identifies and nurtures talent to advance the enterprise to its fullest potential.
Cynthia is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR), a Society for Human Resources Management member, a Sociology graduate of Queens College, and a recent inductee to the YWCA Syracuse Academy of Diversity Achievers (2017).
David C. Nutting is the Board Chair of VIP Structures, former CEO, and an investor in all VIP Development properties. A graduate of Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, with a degree in architecture, Nutting founded VIP Structures in 1975 with the vision to serve clients more effectively by combining the best elements of design and construction.
Nutting has received many professional recognition awards during his career, including Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, The Inc. 500, and the Syracuse 100. His professional affiliations include the American Institute of Architects, the World Presidents' Organization, and the Chief Executive Organization.
A strong proponent of community involvement, Nutting is a past or current board member of such organizations as the Salvation Army, Syracuse University School of Management, Everson Museum of Art, CenterState CEO, The Downtown Committee, and the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer of Indium Corporation
Greg Evans is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Indium Corporation and joined VIP's Advisory Board in 2023. In his more than 40 years with the Indium, Greg played an integral role in propelling Indium Corporation to be a globally-renowned electronics assembly materials manufacturer, an international supplier of choice, and an employer of choice. Under his leadership, the company has grown to 1,200, and from three facilities in Utica, New York to 15 global facilities in the USA, UK, Singapore, China, South Korea, India, Germany, and Malaysia. Greg has served on several non-profit boards, devoting numerous volunteer hours to both industry and community initiatives. These include the Utica Zoological Society, the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA), from which he received the prestigious Founders Award, and currently serves as Chairperson of Mohawk Valley Health System, which is building the first new, state-of-the-art hospital in New York State in decades. Greg was named an Oneida County History Center Living Legend in 2021.
As Chief Technology Officer, Jeremy Wheeler drives VIP's integrated technology strategy across all companies and departments. Jeremy's focus is on enhancing VIP's growth and capabilities by establishing a technological vision that supports the culture, purpose, and vision of VIP, implementing leading-edge technology that maximizes efficiency and effectiveness, and creating processes around the IT resources to help maximize the productivity and quality of the VIP team.
Jeremy graduated from Utica College, receiving his Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Computer Forensics. In addition, he has many certifications and awards, including being a graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse.
Education
Utica College, MS, Cyber Security & Computer Forensics
Empire State College, BS
Job Titles:
- Director of Project Management
Job Titles:
- Member of VIP 's Advisory Board
Joe Charles, a member of VIP's Advisory Board since 2022, is a Senior Counsel at FustCharles LLP - a professional service firm in Syracuse that provides accounting, audit, tax, and advisory services. Before his current role at FustCharles LLP, Joe was instrumental in the Firm's origination and served as the CEO, member of the Executive Committee, and head of its Tax Department. Joes has been actively involved in the Central New York Community throughout his career. He served on the Boards and Committees of a variety of local not for profit organizations. In addition, Joe is a member of the Board of Directors of the Georgetown University Alumni Club of Central New York and its former President and Treasurer. Joe is a member of and former President of the Estate Planning Council of Central New York. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and a past member of its governing council. He is also a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and its committee on Taxation of Closely Held Businesses & S Corporations and a former officer and member of the NYSSCPA's Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Joe, a graduate of Georgetown University, is a licensed CPA in New York and Virginia. He is an accredited Estate Planner and Chartered Global Management Accountant and resides in Fayetteville, New York.
Job Titles:
- Managing Member
- Principal
- Registered Architect in the State of New York
Job Titles:
- Director of Property Management
Job Titles:
- Chief Marketing & Business Development Officer
- Creative Team Leader
- VIP 's Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer
Maria Livingston, VIP's Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer, generates revenue and drives VIP's business development and marketing initiatives. Maria achieves success for VIP by creating a culture focused on the Client Experience (Cx) and developing strategies to positively influence clients through every step of their journey with VIP. Maria also integrates over-arching marketing strategy, market research, and micro-tactics to capture high-priority work, continuously grow the company and teams, and advance VIP as a leader in the industry.
Maria is a creative team leader with experience forming integrated marketing campaigns that boost brand awareness, disseminate thought leadership, and increase engagement. In addition, she helps advance the company's growth through strategic promotion and partnering, data analysis, marketing research, social media, tactical advertising, public relations, and community events and outreach.
A graduate of Simon Business School, Maria has 20 years of experience in Architecture, Engineering, and Construction. Maria encompasses VIP's core values and brings the expertise to move our vision forward well into the future.
Education
Simon Business School, University of Rochester, MBA
Colgate University, BA
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Board Member and Vice President of the Gifford Foundation
- CEO of VIP Companies
Meg Tidd, CEO of VIP Companies, is a hands-on leader and visionary who inspires, guides, and implements VIP's strong culture across all operating companies and employees. Meg is responsible for VIP's day-to-day operations, long-term strategies, and company-wide initiatives. During her tenure at VIP, Meg has led the enterprise through multiple initiatives, including re-branding mission, vision, and purpose, institutionalizing standard operating procedures, improving data collection and analysis, and a cultural shift driving integration and collaboration across the enterprise. Meg also played a pivotal role in the enterprise's transition to an established second-generation family company.
Meg served as Chief Marketing Officer and COO for eight years before taking on the CEO role. Before joining VIP, Meg worked in public relations, communications, and relationship management. She graduated from the University of Rochester's Simon Business School and obtained an MBA focusing on Corporate Strategy and Marketing.
Meg is a board member and Vice President of The Gifford Foundation, a Young Presidents Organization (YPO) member, a Central New York Business Journal 40 Under Forty Honoree, and a graduate of Leadership Greater Syracuse.
Meg and her family reside in Marcellus where they own and operate Riseform Brewing Co.
Job Titles:
- VP Client & Investor Relations
Job Titles:
- Procurement and Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations, Architecture
- VIP 's Director of Architectural Operations
Rob Shutts is VIP's Director of Architectural Operations. In his role, Rob focuses on the strategic growth and development of VIP Architectural Associates and creating seamless, integrated design-bid-build and design-build experiences for clients and teams.
Rob has 19 years of combined experience managing Architectural and Construction projects throughout Central New York, and he works with project teams to establish strategies and goals, set realistic schedules and budgets, and incorporate robust quality assurance programs into the design process. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Syracuse University, is a registered Architect, and is a certified Code Enforcement official.
Rob resides in Liverpool with his wife and two children.
Job Titles:
- People Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- President and Founder of VIP 's Engineering
- President, Engineering
Sam Cosamano is the President and founder of VIP's Engineering company, which was established in 2009, operates under the brand name IPD Engineering, and currently houses over 40 designers and engineers in four offices. Sam has created a company culture focused on exceeding client expectations by actively listening to client needs, working collaboratively with clients and teams, designing high-quality systems that are built to last, creating tailored and innovative approaches to complex projects, utilizing the latest technologies, and creating practical and sustainable designs.