Meet Our Purpose-Driven Experts

CEO & President

EXPERTISE Strategic Leadership | Construction Management | Systems Engineering | Government | Healthcare | Multi-Family | Technology | Power Delivery | Business Development | Global Operations

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MEET JED RICHARD

IMPACT Founded and leads Richard Group's national operations across vertical, horizontal, and energy construction. Former U.S. Army Captain with combat experience brings strategic vision and operational excellence to complex construction projects. Under his leadership, Richard has become the fastest-growing construction company in the country, managing nearly 200 contracts across 17 states.

LEADERSHIP
● YPO Chicagoland Chapter Member
● The Lions Pride, Victor, ID Member
● Board Member: EQ CRE Capital, Winnetka Hockey Club, Lightspeed Robotics

ACHIEVEMENTS
● EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024
● Ranked First in Fastest-Growing Construction, Engineering, or Architecture Company in Chicago
● Top rankings on Crain's Fast 50 and Inc. Magazine's Fastest Growing Companies
● Led company to dual recognition on Crain's Chicago Business and Inc. Magazine's Best Places to Work lists

ROOTS BS in Systems Management & Systems Engineering, United States Military Academy at West Point | Cheshire, Connecticut Native

VISION Pioneered an innovative general contracting model focused on speed, collaboration, and precision, driven by experiences touring VA hospitals and recognizing the critical need for infrastructure improvements. Maintains a people-first, purpose-driven culture dedicated to building solutions for the world's greatest challenges while prioritizing employee well-being and company resilience.

Chief Financial Officer

EXPERTISE Global Finance | M&A | Asset Management | Construction Finance | International Operations

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MEET GABRIEL DELARUE

IMPACT Leads Richard Group's financial operations, investments, and compliance. Brings 12 years of experience from Vinci Group ($60B French construction company) with international expertise across Finland, France, Russia, and US.

ROOTS MBA, Campbell University | Division 1 Tennis Player | Merlimont, France Native

Vice President of Operations

EXPERTISE Project Controls | Federal Construction | Power Delivery | Oil & Gas | Data Centers | K-12 | Commercial | Pharmaceutical

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MEET STEVE DAUNIS

IMPACT Leads Richard Group's business operations and project execution. Previously drove MasTec's growth from $4.5B to $14.5B revenue as VP of Project Management. Subject matter expert in project controls across diverse market sectors.

ROOTS BA, Kenyon College | Oak Park, IL Native

Vice President of Operations - East Coast

EXPERTISE Federal Construction | Quality Control | Project Management | Team Development | Mentorship | Design-Build | Multi-Family | BEQ | Education | Healthcare | Mission Critical 

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MEET PAUL OLSON

IMPACT Leads Richard Group's East Coast operations and project execution. Brings extensive federal sector experience from Harper Construction, RQ Construction, and APTIM across roles from superintendent to Vice President.

ROOTS BA, Bethel University | Youth Sports Coach | Robbinsdale, MN Native

Director of Marketing

EXPERTISE MBA (2024) | Brand Strategy | Marketing Innovation | Team Leadership

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MEET COLLEEN RICHARDSON

IMPACT Leading Richard Group's marketing and communications, Colleen brings 18+ years of experience from Brunswick Corporation and The National Marine Manufacturers Association. Her expertise in brand development, strategic storytelling, and creative marketing drives our company's growth and enhances the Richard brand.

ROOTS BA in Communications, University of Denver | Glenview, Illinois Native

Director of Finance

EXPERTISE Master's in Organizational Economics & Performance Management | Financial Operations | Strategic Planning | Global Team Leadership | Multi-lingual

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MEET MANON ECHEVARD-LANGERON

IMPACT As Director of Finance at Richard, Manon brings extensive experience from her previous role as Director at a major international construction company. Her expertise in FP&A, multi-currency accounting operations, and strategic financial controls strengthens our financial operations and supports our company's growth initiatives. Her international background and fluency in French, English, and Spanish brings a valuable global perspective to our team.

ROOTS Master's Degree (Honors), University of Grenoble Alpes, France | Bachelor's in Economics (Honors)

Executive Director of Commercial Construction

EXPERTISE Commercial Construction | Design-Build | Multi-Family | Education | Industrial | Healthcare | Corporate | Heavy Civil

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MEET MARK HOFMANN

IMPACT Leading Richard's San Diego office with 40 years of industry experience, Mark oversees all aspects from business development through construction completion. His lead-from-behind management style aligns with Richard's collaborative philosophy, ensuring exceptional project delivery across diverse sectors.

ROOTS BA, Cal State University, Northridge | Evanston, Illinois Native

Senior Capture Manager

EXPERTISE Federal Capture | Market Analysis | Strategy Development | Federal Acquisition Regulations | Economics

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IMPACT Leads Richard's capture management and pre-construction strategies. Previously doubled federal contract awards across DOD, DOI, HHS, GSA, and DHS. Expert in federal procurement and market analysis.

ROOTS BA & MA in Applied Economics, Georgetown University | Darien, IL Native

Director of Administration

EXPERTISE Administrative Operations | Non-Profit Experience | Office Management | Staff Leadership

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MEET PAIGE PRIEST

IMPACT Oversees Richard's home office operations and administration. Advanced from Associate Chief of Staff to current role in 2019 creating streamlined processes, security, and other crucial business operations to keep the company running and up to date with all requirements.

ROOTS BS in Sociology, Saint Xavier University | Oak Forest, IL Native

Director, Center for Enhanced Performance

EXPERTISE Civil Engineering | Military Leadership | Strategic Planning & Operations | Project Management | Lean Six Sigma | Sustainability | Training & Development

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MEET SHANE FINNANE

CREDENTIALS

MS Civil Engineering (Construction), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

BS Civil Engineering, United States Military Academy at West Point

PMP, LEED AP BD+C, ENV-SP, EIT-IL, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

IMPACT Drives Richard Group's training, innovation, and process implementation. Former U.S. Army Engineer Officer brings extensive project management experience across 20+ prime projects. Founded Systems and Operational Readiness steering committee. Has managed over 70 estimates and 32 design projects. 

AFFILIATIONS Tau Beta Pi | Society of American Military Engineers | Rho Epsilon Alumni

ROOTS Military Combat Veteran | Elgin, IL Native

Program Manager, Richard Self-Performance

EXPERTISE Self-Perform Construction | Carpentry | Site Management | Government Projects | Skilled Trade Leadership

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MEET RJ LEWICKI

IMPACT Leads Richard Group's self-performance program with 20+ years of hands-on construction experience. Mastered craft through extensive apprenticeship and intentional skill development.

ROOTS U.S. Marine Corps Veteran | Journeyman Carpenter | Hartford, WI Native

Program Manager

EXPERTISE Military Construction | EV Infrastructure | Sustainable Development | Program Management | Civil Engineering | Professional Engineer | Project Manager Professional

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MEET ERIC CRISPINO

IMPACT Leads Richard Group's emerging markets including EV electrification and micro-grid development. Former Army Colonel and USACE District Engineer managed $1B+ annual construction portfolio supporting DOD, VA, and federal partners.

EDUCATION

BS Civil Engineering, United States Military Academy at West Point

MS Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech

Master of Strategic Studies, US Army War College

ROOTS Retired Army Colonel | 25+ Years Active Duty | Southington, CT Native

Director of Project Delivery

EXPERTISE Construction Management | Team Leadership | Carpentry | Residential Construction | Fit-Out & Renovation

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MEET ALEX HUBER

IMPACT Original Richard employee since 2015. Manages 15+ employees across multiple states and complex projects. Brings 10+ years of hands-on carpentry experience in residential and renovation work.

ROOTS Construction Management, Purdue University | Northwest Indiana Native

Program Manager/Project Executive

EXPERTISE Mentor-Protégé Program | Military Leadership | Project Management | Joint Ventures | Commercial Construction | Light Manufacturing | Design-Build | Healthcare | Multi-Family

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MEET PETER LUTZ

IMPACT Manages Richard's mentor-protégé program and protégé company development. Former Army National Guard Captain. Oversees $50M in active projects and $20M in joint ventures since 2022.

ROOTS BS Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Glenview, IL Native

Marketing Titan

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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.

Financial Titan

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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.

Board of Advisors

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With over 30 years in construction law, Mr. Ernstrom built his reputation through accessibility, loyalty, and leadership. He founded Ernstrom & Dreste in 1984, a national construction and surety law firm, where he led contract negotiations and dispute resolution for major contractors nationwide. He later served as General Counsel at Alberici Corporation and most recently as Vice President for Major Strategic Projects at Walsh Construction, where he pioneered construction joint ventures. In 1998, AGC named him "Chairman of the Year" for his work representing contractor interests. Mr. Ernstrom is an active member of the Associated General Contractors of America and the American Bar Association.

Board of Advisors

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As a Vice President with over four decades of construction leadership, Mr. Bahou has directed portfolios exceeding $2.8 billion across federal, commercial, and environmental sectors. His expertise spans critical infrastructure development and project execution, with landmark projects including research facilities, healthcare centers, and water treatment systems. A Syracuse University graduate with engineering degrees and PE license, he brings global perspective from extensive Middle East experience and executive roles at ENR top-ranked firms.