Staff
The strength of any good organization is the people involved. SMC is proud of the talented, experienced team of project specialists helping to make each SMC project successful. The following is a listing of our current team members.
Mike Anderson – SuperintendentMike Anderson is a carpenter by trade who has worked himself up from an apprentice to a project superintendent. He has an incredible work ethic and a personality that lends itself well to creating a team atmosphere on every job site. Mike has a passion for getting things done and done right. He goes “above and beyond expectations” – as one client commented. Mike’s experience includes all aspects of rough and finish carpentry and he has experience working in clean and sensitive environments such as hospitals, and other occupied facilities. Mike is a talented leader who consistently finishes successful projects gaining the respect and fondness of clients in the process.
Darlene Barrer – Contract Administrator
darlenebarrer@shalesmnutt.comDarlene Barrer has worked on the administrative side of the construction industry for 23 years. She works closely with project managers and accounting personnel to, among many other things: assist in developing bid packages, coordinate the distribution of bid documents, assist at bid lettings, ensure that contracts are properly executed, obtain certificates of insurance for all parties, check that appropriate co-insured’s are named, make sure waivers of lien are obtained from all relevant parties, establish that subcontractors and suppliers are paid the proper amounts, develop change orders and do whatever else it takes to manage all the contractual relationships on large construction projects. She is very knowledgeable in her area of expertise, and her speed and efficiency always amaze those who work with her. Darlene is a long-time Elgin, IL resident and has been involved in many civic and youth sports organizations through the years, in addition to her involvement with St. Mary’s Church.
Mike Glover
mglover@shalesmcnutt.comMike has a total of 10 years experience in the construction industry, six of which have been at a supervisory level. He is a carpenter by trade with a wide range of skills including custom wood and steel stud framing, acoustical ceilings, doors/hardware, finish trim-working and fabricating complicated layouts. Mike graduated from his apprenticeship program with a number one ranking and applies this commitment to excellence to every project he undertakes. Mike has been a part of SMC for two years and brings great pride and dedication to each job. His attention to detail, determination to remain on schedule and to meet deadlines, quality of work, and problem solving skills has earned him excellent rapport with clients and makes him a great addition to the SMC team.
Jennifer Hubbard – Marketing Coordinator
jenniferhubbard@shalesmcnutt.comJen Hubbard holds both a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in Architectural studies from Judson University in Elgin, IL. Before joining SMC, Jen worked as an Architect II specializing in retail and commercial design and renovations for a Chicago-area firm. Her knowledge and background allow Jen to contribute fresh perspectives and skills to the SMC team. In her four plus years as Assistant Project Manager, Jen has successfully acted as Project Manager on small to medium jobs and has assisted Senior Project Managers on many larger projects. Taking on ever increasing levels of responsibility, Jen continues to be a very productive member of the Shales McNutt team. Jen enjoys designing, learning about historical renovations/restorations, and finding creative solutions to challenging situations.
George Keenan – Senior Superintendent
gkeenan@shalesmcnutt.comGeorge Keenan came to SMC early in 2003 after an eighteen year career with another highly reputable contracting firm. He has spent most of his professional years working at the superintendent level. George is very experienced in many facets of construction, especially with projects requiring a higher level of finish. He is a carpenter by trade and has earned a reputation in the industry as a problem solver and a team player. On every job George has run for SMC, customers have been very satisfied with his work and are always eager to work with him again. In fact, a past client coined the phrase, “WWGD: What Would George Do?” It is this type of confidence customers find in George and his work that makes George an asset to Shales McNutt Construction and every job he is a part of.
Kristen Lueders – Project Administrator
kristenlueders@shalesmcnutt.comKristen brings an extensive history of construction in Health Care facilities for large Chicago-land area construction companies. With 10 years of construction experience in Estimating and Project Assistance, her knowledge of all aspects of Project Administration will keep her involved with each job from start to finish. Kristen’s keen eye for detail and project organization make her a vital key to the success of each project she is involved with. Her responsibilities include: Project Management support, billing support, insurance requirement verification and facilitating close-out documents and procedures. Kristen looks forward to new days, filled with challenges and opportunities.
JT McNutt – Assistant Project Manager
jtmcnutt@shalesmcnutt.comJT recently received a degree in mechanical engineering from Hope College and went on to pass the Engineer-In-Training exam. Over the past several years, JT has worked for Shales McNutt in varying capacities which include laborer, assistant superintendent, superintendent, and now Assistant Project Manager and Estimator. His engineering degree combined with his hands-on field experience has made him a valuable addition to the team. Some of the projects in which he has been involved include North Grove Elementary in Sycamore, the Veterans’ Memorial in Elgin, the Eagle Road Bridge project, and multiple HVAC renovation projects for the Sycamore School District. JT especially enjoys working on projects that require creative in-the-field solutions to architectural and engineering challenges.
Duane Schmitt – Senior Superintendent
duaneschmitt@shalesmcnutt.comDuane Schmitt has over 30 years of construction industry experience with more than half of those years spent at the superintendent level. Duane started with SMC’s predecessor organization (Seagren/Shales, Inc.) in 1985, and he quickly became one of the top superintendents assigned to the largest and most challenging projects. His range of experience has covered nearly the whole spectrum of construction types and methods. Duane is successful in this business because of his outstanding technical abilities and, perhaps more importantly, his ability to get projects built to specification, on time, and under budget.
Ron Straub – Director of Field Operations
ronstraub@shalesmcnutt.comRon Straub joined Shales McNutt Construction in 2006 bringing with him over 30 years of exceptional construction experience. Ron’s farming roots, engineering college education, and his skills as a carpenter have yielded years of successful service as a Project Superintendent, General Superintendent, and Project Manager. Ron possesses extensive commercial and industrial construction experience, with a vast number of projects completed in the educational facilities field. Ron continues to bring the same competitive nature and team spirit to the construction industry as he did to the athletic field years ago. He’s a member of the Burlington Central H.S. Sports Hall of Fame and has been active in and supported local athletics over the years as a youth coach, and an avid high school football, basketball, and baseball spectator. Ron is a talented team-builder who possesses outstanding problem solving skills.
Darren Thibert – Superintendent
dthibert@shalesmcnutt.comDarren Thibert has over 20 years of construction experience in a variety of roles ranging from laborer to project supervisor. A carpenter by trade, Darren brings a wide range of exceptional carpentry skills to each project he works on. Darren is viewed by clients, subcontractors, and coworkers as a “qualified leader” who, as one subcontractor noted “…is willing to do whatever it takes to get every little piece of the puzzle in order, so the job moves in a positive direction.” His experience and dedication make him a valuable member of the Shales McNutt team.
William R. Wilson, S. E. – Senior Project Manager
williamwilson@shalesmcnutt.comWilliam Wilson, a licensed Structural Engineer in the State of Illinois, joined the Shales McNutt Team in October 2007 bringing with him 23 years of construction experience. William spent his first 11 years working on the design side of the industry, while the last 12 have been spent on the construction side. William graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering. Shortly after, he earned a Masters degree in science at the University of Illinois. During his career, William has had hands-on experience in the construction of a wide variety of buildings and structures, including high-rises, commercial/industrial buildings, K-12 and higher education facilities, residential, retail/banking facilities, senior living and government buildings. William is very involved in his community and extends himself as a School Board Member for Geneva Community Unit School District 304, and also as an Adjunct Professor of Construction Management at Waubonsee Community College.
Mark Zipoy – Senior Superintendent
markzipoy@shalesmcnutt.comMark has twenty-six years of construction experience, sixteen of which have been at a supervisory level. He is a carpenter by trade with extensive finish carpentry skills honed while building high-end single and multi-family residential units early in his career. For the past twelve years he has been a superintendent on commercial and industrial projects. His drive to get projects done on time while still achieving a high degree of quality has earned him a great deal of respect from customers and subcontractors. Mark’s enthusiasm for his work becomes a contagious, positive force on his jobsites. In addition to Mark’s professional commitments, he is very involved in his community. Mark volunteered his time to help build the concession stand for the Central Girls Softball League, the concession stand for the Burlington Central Stadium, and he helped pour the foundation for Central Middle School’s baseball dugouts.