Richard Group is a veteran-owned, premier general contracting & construction management company serving agencies, companies, communities, and mission-critical projects across the United States.
OUR HISTORY. OUR FUTURE.
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Growing up in a family of construction specialty contractors in Connecticut, Jed Richard founded Richard Group in October 2014 in the basement of his Northfield, IL home to solve the leadership challenges in technology, education, and people in the construction industry.
And he did, first by graduating from West Point and then by serving as an Army captain who led Airborne Infantry units during three tours in Afghanistan.
While in Zabul and Kunar in 2005, he and his men built some of the most cohesive small teams in the Army to fight against the Taliban insurgency. That experience was a turning point for Jed.
“It became clear to me what talented, and motivated teams can do when focused on a single core purpose and accountable to each other and the mission at hand,” said Jed in a recent interview.
After being honorably discharged in 2009, Jed went on to lead over $500MM of design-build programs for the U.S. Government, traveling to more than 20 countries to support major construction operations from Beirut to Jakarta.
In every country and on every project, he led his construction teams with the same unwavering trust and transparency of his Army career, believing better and faster outcomes were a result of strong leadership, intentional mentorship, clear communication, and higher ownership in the process.
Today, Richard Group is a premier general contractor, completing construction projects with distinction for customers across the country.
Throughout its growth, Richard remains relentlessly committed to its people and its customers through its mission and its values of Gratitude, Resilience, Excellence, Adventure, and Transparency.
OUR MISSION
THE MISSION OF RICHARD GROUP IS TO PROVIDE AN UNPARALLELED BEST VALUE EXPERIENCE TO OUR CUSTOMERS THROUGH AN EMPOWERED TEAM COMMITTED TO EXPEDITIOUS, INNOVATIVE, SAFE, COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONS; AND TO PROVIDE OUR PEOPLE WITH A FASCINATINGLY RICH CAREER OF LOYALTY, RESPECT, INTEGRITY, AND PARTNERSHIP.
ON-MISSION CONSTRUCTION
Solving for a swift, smooth, and secure experience—for all.
Leadership
MEET JED RICHARD
Hometown: Cheshire, Connecticut
Jed Richard serves as President of Richard Group, providing the vision and operational strategy for the national operations of vertical, horizontal, and energy construction projects.
Prior to founding Richard Group, Jed served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during multiple combat tours. He then served as a business manager and preconstruction leader of two global general contractors. Since starting Richard in 2014, Jed directed the company in over 100 prime projects across the United States.
Jed earned his bachelor’s in science degree in Systems in Management and a Field of Study in Systems Engineering from The United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. Jed is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), Chicagoland Chapter, and The Lions Pride, Victor, ID.
He is a board member of EQ CRE Capital, Atlanta, GA. In his spare time, Jed is also a board member of Winnetka Hockey Club, where his three sons learned to play the game.
MEET STEVE DAUNIS
Hometown: Oak Park, IL
Steve Daunis serves as the lead Vice President of Operations for Richard Group and is responsible for business operations and project execution.
Before joining Richard, Steve served as the Vice President of Project Management for MasTec, supporting their growth from $4.5B to $14.5B in revenue within five years. He is a subject matter expert in various capacities as Vice President of Project Controls and well versed in the construction of numerous market sectors including federal, commercial, power delivery, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, data centers, and K-12 construction.
Steve earned his bachelor of arts at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. His experience in leading teams allows for Richard to continue growing and achieve company goals.
MEET PAUL OLSON
Hometown: Robbinsdale, Minnesota
Paul Olson serves as the Vice President of Operations - East Coast for Richard Group and is responsible for business operations and project execution in our East Coast Region.
Before coming to Richard, Paul worked for Harper Construction, RQ Construction, and APTIM, working in various roles, including superintendent, quality control manager, VP of quality control, project executive, and director, all with a primary focus on the federal sector. He enjoys being a mentor to rising talent.
Paul earned his bachelor of arts at Bethel University in Minnesota. He has been actively involved with his community and family, coaching his five children in multiple sports.
MEET PAIGE PRIEST
Hometown: Oak Forest, Illinois
As Director of Administration, Paige Priest oversees all home office and administrative operations at Richard Group.
Before joining the Richard team, Paige supported the non-profit sector with administrative roles. Since joining Richard Group in 2019, Paige has held several roles, including Associate Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff.
Paige Priest attended Saint Xavier University in Chicago and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology.
MEET LINDSEY BERRY
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
As Director of People, Lindsey Berry ensures Richard Group’s signature culture scales alongside its exciting growth with legendary recruitment, hiring, and employee experiences.
Since joining in 2023, she has led the staffing of key projects, successfully attracting the high-performing, A-Player talent for which Richard Group is known.
Lindsey earned her BA in communications and a master’s in public affairs from Indiana University, where she is currently on track to complete her MBA in 2024.
MEET KIM JAUREGUI
Hometown: Monterrey, Mexico
Kim Jauregui leads the Finance and Accounting department of Richard Group, managing all company financial operations alongside her team. Kim brings over 30 years of experience in construction accounting and finances on small and multimillion-dollar projects.
Before joining Richard Group, Kim led a team of project accountants in a general construction company, managing the project accounting of several projects and the construction financial reporting for company executives.
Kim earned her postgraduate degree in Architecture from Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana in Mexico City.
MEET JENNIFER FELSL
Hometown: Lake Forest, Illinois
Jennifer Felsl serves as the Director of Talent Management at Richard Group, where she ensures a positive workplace environment with her focus on employee retention, career development, and performance management. Jennifer brings over 20 years of experience in corporate HR compensation, recruitment, training and education.
Prior to joining Richard Group in 2023, Jennifer developed and executed strategic HR initiatives for various national and international companies in the private and non-profit sector, driving their organizational success with her dynamic and results-oriented leadership style.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from Northern Illinois University and has been a member of the Society for Human Resource Management, the world’s largest HR organization, since 2006.
MEET ALEX HUBER
Hometown: Champaign, Illinois
Alex Huber is a Program Manager at Richard Group, overseeing approximately 15 employees at a time across numerous states and projects.
One of the first employees of Richard, Alex has been thoroughly involved in every facet of the company since its inception in 2015. Alex has executed many of Richard Group’s most complex projects and has excelled in a variety of aspects, including team building with new and current employees as well as managing client expectations. He brings 10+ years of hands-on experience as a carpenter with focused experience in new residential, additions, and fit-out/renovation projects.
Alex graduated with a Construction Management degree from Purdue University.
MEET PETER LUTZ
Hometown: Glenview, Illinois
Peter Lutz serves as a Project Executive, managing the Richard Group mentor-protégé program and developing current and new protégé companies.
Prior to joining Richard Group, Peter served as a Captain in the Illinois Army National Guard. He then served as a senior project manager for a local general contractor and as a construction project manager for a national commercial packaged goods company.
Since joining in 2022, Peter has contributed to the management of $40M in active Richard Group projects and has begun work on $20M worth of joint-venture projects.
Peter earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
MEET ERIC CRISPINO
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Eric Crispino serves as a Program Manager at Richard Group, where he is responsible for overseeing the company’s emerging markets to include EV electrification, micro-grid development, and sustainable building and development projects with our federal partners. He brings with him extensive experience leading and developing multi-discipline teams in complex environments.
A retired Army Colonel, Eric served on active duty for more than 25 years before joining Richard Group in 2023. As the District Engineer for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Louisville District from 2023-2023, Eric was responsible for overseeing one of the largest military construction programs in the USACE, with an annual budget exceeding $1B. His portfolio included military and civil works construction projects in support of a wide range of clients, including the Army and Air Force Installations, the Army Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and others.
Eric received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He holds a Master of Science of Science in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic and State University, as well as a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College.
MEET SHANE FINNANE
Hometown: Elgin, Illinois
As Director of Training, Innovation & Processes, Shane Finnane provides training development, change management, lean strategies, and procedure and process implementation.
Before joining Richard Group, Shane served as an Engineer Officer in the U.S. Army with a combat tour to Afghanistan. Upon transitioning from the military, Shane was a project management consultant, a project manager, and an estimator.
After joining Richard in 2021, Shane led seven projects as a project manager, superintendent, and/or construction manager for Richard and served as a program manager for more than 20 prime projects throughout the Chicagoland area. During this time, he also developed and led the Systems and Operational Readiness (SOR) steering committee.
Shane earned his bachelor’s in science degree in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He holds a master’s in science degree in Civil Engineering – Construction Engineering and Management from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC) in 2022.
Shane also holds credentials as a Project Management Professional (PMP), LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design & Construction (LEED AP BD&C), Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV-SP), Engineer in Training (EIT-IL), and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSS-BB).
Shane is also affiliated with the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), and a former member of the UIUC Rho Epsilon student real estate association.
MEET RJ LEWICKI
Hometown: Hartford, WI
RJ Lewicki serves as the Self-Performance Program Manager for Richard Group and brings more than 20 years of construction-site experience to deliver exceptional results for our clients and partners.
Before coming to Richard, RJ served as a Journeyman Carpenter/Superintendent in various construction environments. He brings unparalleled construction expertise from rough framing to finish work, having worked on various private and government job sites.
Like many members of the Richard Group self-performance team, RJ achieved mastery in his craft through thousands of hours in apprenticeship programs, intentional skill-building, and on-site training.
RJ is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.
Board of Advisors
Bill Ernstrom
Governance Titan
With over 30 years in construction industry, Mr. Ernstrom has spearheaded contract negotiations, litigations, mediations, and risk management projects across the country. A former SVP of Risk, Bill also honorably serves as a member of the Associated General Contractors of America and the American Bar Association.
Derek Johnson
Construction + Electrification Titan
Mr. Johnson brings more than three decades of experience building, acquiring, and growing both construction and engineering businesses. He brings unparalleled market expertise in energy infrastructure, civil infrastructure, and environmental remediation.
Gary Walter
Technology + Analytics Titan
Mr. Walter is the visionary strategist and entrepreneur behind Infutor Data Solutions and the architect behind the company’s transformation from a small marketing list company to a market-leading digital identity management platform.
John Shea
Marketing Titan
Named by Forbes as one of the top 50 Chief Marketing Officers, Mr. Shea has served in executive marketing roles at prominent consumer brands from Jimmy John’s to Gatorade. His expertise includes strategic vision, brand management, and consumer engagement.
Mary Davolt
Financial Titan
Ms. Davolt is a CPA and CCIFP who brings over 30 years of experience in the commercial, industrial, and heavy civil construction industries. Nationally and locally active in the CFMA, she specializes in technology, financial management, and operations management.
Richard’s GREAT Advantage
Our company framework has structural integrity.
GRATITUDE
We serve with humility, fully appreciating how complex, collaborative, and critical our work is.
RESILIENCE
We overcome complex problems with fierce persistence, drive, and grit—and our relentless pursuit of safety ensures we do it again the next day.
EXCELLENCE
Driven by character and integrity, we believe that a well-built project requires zero call-backs during the warranty phase—and we have the stats to prove it.
ADVENTURE
We believe construction careers should feel like an adventure—a fulfilling journey of unforgettable experiences, life-giving growth, learning and discovery, and meaningful relationships.
TRANSPARENCY
Our “Open Book” culture permeates our company and customer partnerships, instilling trust through real-time communication, accountability, and ownership in all aspects of our business.
