Project Operations Leadership

Julie AllmanVice President

With Power since: 1994

First construction job:  My first job was a rodman for a surveying company, where I learned the ropes and even got lowered into a caisson to take readings. My second job was as an intern for Power at the Loyola Cancer Center in Maywood, which set the stage for my career in construction.

Project you're most proud of:  I'm proud of many projects, but The Wrigley Building stands out. Restoring such an iconic landmark and bringing its beauty back to life!

What's something your proud of?  Balancing my work life with being a mom to four kids who have turned out to be four pretty incredible human beings!

What would you do with the extra time, if you never had to sleep?  I would spend more time with my family and friends (my superpower would be the ability to be in two places at once)

Favorite Chicago Landmark:  Wrigley Field 

What's your favorite place on earth?  I love to travel! Aruba is my go-to destination for sun, relaxation, and a total recharge. I'm also fascinated by all the incredible cities across Europe. 

Chris EricksonVice President

With Power since: 2004

First construction job:  My first construction job as a young boy was building tree forts and docks on the Fox River. With each Spring full, the dock would wash away, and I would get the opportunity to build it back better each time. 

Project you're most proud of:  The Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management Global Hub. It was a 420,000 sf Swiss Watch full of amazing, complex, and confounding details. The whole team earned their "Construction MBA" on that one! 

Words of wisdom for a new person?  Don't worry about what is out of your control. Forecast what may lie ahead, do your best and focus on where you can add the most value. 

Skill you'd like to learn: Navigate by the stars.

What would you do with the extra time, if you never had to sleep?  Funny enough, I love long distance canoe marathons where to be competitive, you don't sleep!

What's something you're proud of?  The amazing family that my wife and I have been able to build together. They challenge me to be the best I can be. 

Dan FitzpatrickVice President Field Operations

With Power since:  2016

Project you're most proud of:  The pursuit and execution of the top/down construction at One Chicago.

Why Power?  Reputation! 

Place you'd like to travel to?  I enjoy most beaches. The place is not as important as the people you are with.

If I wasn't working at Power, I would be:  A youth lacrosse coach.

What would you do with the extra time, if you never had to sleep?  I enjoy personal finance and would like to spend more time learning about it. 

Skill you'd like to learn:  Playing the bagpipes.

Chris GorayVice President

With Power since: 2000

First construction job:  Working for my brothers, one owned a carpentry company and another owned a landscape / concrete company.  I learned a lot from my big brothers, from hard work to customer service.  It’s a large part of what shaped my foundation in the business.

Best career advice received:  Measure twice, cut once.  What I didn’t realize at the time is how it relates to so many situations.

Words of wisdom for a new person:  Put yourself in the other person’s shoes.  You can always gain better insight by viewing the situation from a different perspective. 

Biggest lesson learned and why:  Do the right thing…enough said.

Best thing about living in Chicago:  There so many different neighborhoods and parts of the city to enjoy and each has their own unique vibe including the people, food and architecture.

Steve JacksonSenior Vice President

When you started at Power:  2004

How did you get started in construction?  My father was in the business and I couldn't get enough of going to his jobsites. When I wasn't doing that, it was the Legos!  

The project I'm most proud of: It's hard for me to choose but I'd have to say the Loyola University Damen Student Center.  Sitting along Sheridan Road, the building serves as an entry point to campus and a physical link to other great university buildings (many of which are past Power projects). Most importantly, it was a game changer for the students and faculty because it created a needed central gathering space for the entire Loyola community.  

Words of wisdom:  Our decisions are always easy if you just choose doing the right thing. The work isn't always easy, but the decisions are.

Why Power?  Integrity and honesty always come first. Add that to being a big company with small company feel, and it was a fit for me.

Favorite Chicago Landmark:  Wrigley Field...  No contest.

Something you want to learn:  Learning more Norwegian will help my master plan of retiring on a fjord.

Aaron MoeVice President

With Power since: 2001

First project with Power:  The Cancer Care Center at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. It was the first of several cancer care centers I've built - it seems fitting because I've lost my Dad, Mom, and best friend to the disease.

Words of wisdom:  Don't let process impede progress.

Why Power?:  I really enjoy working in a collaborative setting. We have some great clients, consultants, and trade partners that work together to problem solve and deliver first-in-class projects. 

Something you're proud of:  Designing and building my last two homes.

What I like to do in my free time:  With three kids under six there isn't much but in those fleeting moments, I like to spend time with my family, golf, cook or grill, work in the garden, travel, and work on home improvement projects. 

Joe SadauskasVice President

With Power since: 1999

First construction job:  House of Blues Hotel

Words of wisdom for a new person:  Learn from everyone you encounter - whether it's the good you wan to emulate or the bad you want to avoid. Learn from all and seek first to understand before seeking to be understood. 

What's your favorite place on earth?  Nantahala Lake 

What's something you like to do in your free time?  Adventures with my family, outdoor sports, and playing guitar.

Why did you choose Power?  Power's reputation, having experience as an intern, and the location!

Skill you'd like to learn?  Mastering the Method Air in snowboarding. 

Jim SimpsonVice President Field Operations

With Power since:  1996
 
Project you're most proud of:  Throughout my career I've been fortunate to be part of several landmark structures that make up the Chicago skyline. No matter if you are building a 1000' tall skyscraper or a small interior remodeling, there is a common denominator. You need to start out with a plan and be accountable for the plan. 
 
Advice to young professionals:  Be accountable for everything you do in life - both personal and professional - and you will be successful.  
 
In your free time:  I've been married to my wife Lynn for over 37 years and we have two children that we're extremely proud of - one a PA in the emergency department and one that is also a Superintendent on major construction projects in Dallas. Lynn and I also enjoy spending time with our three grandchildren and entertaining family, friends, and colleagues at our home. 
 

Bob Van DevenSenior Vice President

With Power since:  1996

Words of wisdom for a new person:  Speak up and don’t be afraid to have an opinion.

Why did you choose Power:  Power does the right thing... always. It makes going home at night easier. It is also the quality of the people and that everyone’s opinion is valued, everyone contributes. And, it’s a fun place to work with people who enjoy what they do.

Favorite Chicago landmark:  Buckingham Fountain. I was fortunate to be able to work on an AIA award-winning restoration of the Fountain. I have a personal connection. Through that project, I learned to pay attention to the details.

Best view of the skyline : From a boat just south of Navy Pier so I can see several towers that I was privileged to be a part of.