Curious to learn more about the construction industry? Or wonder what it's like to work for Power?
Our employees are eager to share their experiences with you, personally. Each of them has a unique story to tell as they come from different backgrounds, with various degrees and a wide range of passions, both personal and professional. Feel free to explore their profiles below and connect directly with any questions.
Shane BoyerSenior Project Manager
Penn State University '10 | Temple University '17 | Joined Power in 2017
Shane Boyer
Sarah NelsonProject Manager
University of Illinois Champaign '12 and '14 | Joined Power in 2016
How I started in construction: I started interning with traditional architecture firms – small commercial, residential, corporate – before deciding to make the jump to the construction side. I have always loved the industry, it just took me a few summers to decide where I wanted to sit at the table.
Best career advice ever received: Work hard and do what you love.
Why construction? I was fortunate to live through a home addition in grade school and was extremely interested as the drawing sets came through. I love walking a job and seeing how a project comes together – literally.
Best thing about living in Chicago: The restaurant scene and lakefront path.
Favorite Chicago Landmark: Promontory Point – it has the best views of the skyline
Favorite sports team: Chicago Blackhawks
Sarah Nelson
Zach MuscariProject Manager
Bradley University '17 | Joined Power in 2018
Zach Muscari
Oscar BeachSuperintendent
Southern Illinois University '15 | Joined Power in 2016
First construction job: Red-Line Wilson Project as an intern. I was given the opportunity to work on a project which involved both Heavy Highway and Building Construction. This was great for me because I was undecided on what sector of construction I was going get into, but this internship gave me a look at both sides which helped me in making that decision.
Best career advice ever received: Always set personal goals. This will keep the fire in you going.
Why construction? For a few years after graduating high school I worked at a home improvement store where I would interact with different contractors, this is what first sparked my interest in the construction field. I was not aware that there were programs for construction management until I saw a TV commercial from a local college. The highlights of the profession were so intriguing to me that I did further research on the profession and different schools offering the CM program. The following fall semester I was off to school to pursue my degree.
Best thing about living in Chicago: Chicago's downtown area. The skyline is beautiful and there is always something going on to keep you entertained.
Favorite Chicago Landmark: Buckingham Fountain
Favorite sports team: Chicago Bulls
Oscar Beach
Ajay BhojwaniProject Manager
University of Illinois '17 | Joined Power in 2017
My first project with Power: I was an intern with Power at The Main Apartments (Chicago and Main) in Evanston.
Why construction? I grew up helping my dad with projects around the house. Once I got to high school I got really involved in our advanced woodworking classes and made a lot of custom furniture, including a complete living room set of tables that I now use in my condo! This showed me how much I enjoyed applying analytical and physical skills to make usable things in the real world.
Best career advice you've received: You do a lot of good things and prevent a lot of problems. Sometimes things don't go your way but you deal with it and move on so you can continue making good things happen.
Best thing about living in Chicago: No shortage of new places to eat and hang out.
Favorite local landmark: Wrigley Field! It's a resilient old building with a lot of history.
Ajay Bhojwani
Neal DeitersProject Manager - Carpentry
Northwestern University '13 | Joined Power in 2013
First started fulltime in the business: 2013
How I started in construction: My interest in construction began with a passion for building Lego’s.
Best career advice ever received: “Hard work, always pays off”.
Why construction? I have a passion for project management, design, and building science.
Best thing about living in Chicago: My favorite part about living in Chicago is exercising along the lakefront.
Favorite Chicago landmark: The Sears Tower (I have always called it that and probably always will despite its recent name change) is my favorite Chicago landmark.
Neal Deiters
Zack GoldProject Engineer
University of Illinois '23 | Joined Power in 2023
What was your first construction job? I started as a construction/survey intern for a design firm during college.
Why construction? I love the problem solving and communication required from the general contractor. We are the line of communication between subcontractors, architects, and owners, and are in charge of finding solutions that work for all parties. Of course, it's always great to walk a finished building and see your hard work come to life!
Best career advice you've received: You never have to know the answer, you just have to know where to find it. As someone relatively new in the industry, I have to remind myself not to put the pressure on myself when solving problems.
Favorite non-work activity: I enjoy running and hope to complete the Chicago Marathon within the next few years. When it gets too cold to run, I like to spend my time reading classic books - ones you may have been assigned to in English class. They are so much more enjoyable when you don't have to make countless annotations!
Favorite local landmark: The Bean
Zack Gold
Aaron GravesSenior Estimator
University of Illinois '17 | Joined Power in 2017
Aaron Graves
Brian HampelSuperintendent
Iowa State University '13 | Joined Power in 2014
How I started in construction: Summer internship, in road construction, repaving Hwy 12 near the IL/WI border in 2009.
Best career advice ever received: Establish successful working relationships with owners, architects, co-workers and subcontractors.
Why construction? Construction has been an interest and a passion of mine ever since I was a child but I didn’t have the artistic skills to be an architect!
Favorite Chicago landmark: Wrigley Field, how can you not love the friendly confines!?!
Favorite sports team: Atlanta Braves!!
Brian Hampel
Andrew LichtenauerAssistant Project Manager
Texas A&M University '20 | Joined Power in 2020
Why did you choose a career in the industry? I enjoy the problem solving nature of the industry as well as getting to collaborate with a wide range of other parties involved in each project. There's something very satisfying about seeing a project through from start to finish, knowing that you played a role in the success of that project.
Best career advice ever received: Trust, but verify.
Favorite non-work activity? Hiking and camping in the National Parks! I've been to about a third of them and hope to visit them all.
Best thing about living in Chicago: The great food and live music.
