Andrew MacGregor

ANDREW MACGREGOR

President

As President, Andy is deeply committed to the success of ACCEND and is responsible for leading all aspects of the business including project execution, employee recruitment and retention, client satisfaction, long range planning and everything in between.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

Over the past 20 years, Andy has established a name for himself in the Chicago construction market, building some of the region’s largest, most complex and creative spaces along with an array of new construction and heavy renovation projects in Illinois and California.  He is known for being a dynamic leader, big picture planner, a true collaborator, aggressive competitor and out-of-the-box thinker.  His reputation for creatively expediting timelines and tackling complex projects is second to none.  Andy graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and a commercial pilot’s license.  The son of an architect, Andy’s passion for construction was ignited by his job as a laborer during college. He helped grow his former company from approximately $40 – $400 million and became known for changing the market’s pace and expectations by flawlessly completing large projects in record time and under budget.

MANAGEMENT STYLE

Working with Andy, you will quickly see his contagious passion for construction, his fearlessness and a knack for bringing out the best in others.  He outwardly exhibits a commitment to leading and mentoring happy, efficient teams along with a drive to make projects fun for all involved parties.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

Ice hockey, cooking, fitness & nutrition, snowboarding, fishing, aviation

PROJECTS

TECH

1871

Big Machines

Centro

eBay/Braintree

Facebook

Google Regional HQ

Matter

Motorola Mobility World HQ

Sprout Social World HQ

Strata Decision Technology

 

FINANCIAL

Alyeska Investment Group

American National Bank

Beecken Petty O’Keefe

CapitalOne

CreditSuisse

JPMorgan Chase

Pentwater Trading

Ronin Capital

Spot Trading

TD Securities

The Private Bank

 

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

ACE Group

Beam Suntory North American HQ

Boeing World HQ

Combined Insurance

ConAgra World HQ

Constellation Brands

JMC Steel

Levy Home Entertainment

Mead Johnson Nutrition World HQ

Navigant Consulting World HQ

Northwestern Memorial Faculty Foundation

Spencer Stuart World HQ

Terra Museum of Art

UPM

Whole Foods Chicago HQ

World Kitchen

 

LAW

Dentons

Drinker Biddle & Reath

McDermott Will & Emery

Ropes & Gray

Tressler, Soderstrom,
Maloney & Priess

 

 

HOSPITALITY

Boka Group

Soho House

 

LABORATORY

Blachford Acoustics

Eichrom

Motorola GNPO

NEW CONSTRUCTION

American Society of
Anesthesiologists

Cambridge Place Condominiums

Fletcher Jones Audi of Chicago

Fletcher Jones Auto Service Center Chicago

Mercedes-Benz of Chicago

Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz Ontario

J & B Signs

 

 

 

HEAVY RENOVATION

150 N Michigan Sidewalk and Vaults

Central Baptist Village

Fletcher Jones Audi Beverly Hills

Fletcher Jones Audi / Volkswagen Chicago

Fletcher Jones Honda Chicago

Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz Fremont

Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz Las Vegas

Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz Newport Beach

Fletcher Jones Porsche Fremont

Old Saint Pat’s Church

Whitman Hart Fulton Market (MarchFirst)

Some projects listed above were completed while working for a previous construction company.

Jim Melachrinakis

JIM MELACHRINAKIS

Operations Executive

Jim is responsible for the operational oversight of all of ACCEND’s projects and teams. Jim is a strategic thinker and utilizes this skill to properly plan for all aspects of the project including schedule, budget, and all other client needs. Jim takes ownership in maintaining all subcontractor and client relationships by developing his staff to ensure that all interactions are positive and personal.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

Jim’s favorite toys growing up were Legos. He loved how each block fit together to create complex designs and structures. His excitement and fascination with building and construction grew over the years and pushed him to pursue a degree in Construction Management from Western Michigan University. Out of college, Jim landed his first job with a small general contractor specializing in fast faced projects. It was there that Jim learned that careful and thoughtful planning is imperative for project success. As his career advanced, Jim worked to educate the industry on the importance of technology and the benefits it has to the construction industry. Jim led his previous employer to implement new technology and bring them to the forefront of the Chicago market. At ACCEND, Jim brings bigger and better ideas as well as the same determination and knowledge to ensure that ACCEND operates at the higher level.

MANAGEMENT STYLE

Jim leads by example. By constantly practicing thoughtful and strategic planning, and always thinking outside the box, he teaches his team members to be prepared for any problems that may arise during a project. He loves to share his knowledge with others and encourages his team members to do the same. By doing this, Jim is creating an environment of constant growth and learning. 

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

Ice hockey, family, traveling & outdoor activities 

PROJECTS

TECH

Cars.com

Starter Leauge

FINANCIAL

Enova

Institution Capital

Mesirow Financial Auditorium

Mesirow Financial Fitness Center

Mesirow Financial Cafe

Fifth Third Bank Lake Forest

Fifth Third Bank Wheeling

Fifth Third Bank Evanston

HEAVY RENOVATION

Walgreen Company

NEW CONSTRUCTION

American Society of Anesthesiologists

Science of Spirituality

Fletcher Jones Audi North Ave.

Ameritech Center Phase II

Discover Financial

The Residents at Riverbend

Walgreen Company Building 304

HOSPITALITY

Soho House

GENERAL BUSINESS

CVS Caremark Inc.

Walgreen Company

Constellation Brands

Some projects listed above were completed while working for a previous construction company.

Tony Fontanetta

TONY FONTANETTA

General Superintendent

Tony is responsible for ensuring that each project is completed on schedule, within budget and exceeds all client expectations. As General Superintendent, he is the director of onsite activities and is in control of all labor coordination. Tony understands that diligent planning is required for the successful completion of every project and he works hard to develop logistical and implementation plans that ensure each project is built efficiently and effectively, no matter the scenario. 

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

With over 35 years in the construction industry, Tony brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to the ACCEND team. Even at a young age, Tony always knew that he wanted to work in construction. At 14 Tony developed an interest in the building trades. In high school he participated in a building workshop that built addition’s and garages in the community. Tony’s love for construction quickly grew and influenced him to pursue an apprenticeship at Washburn Trade School. There was no stopping him from there. He went on to work for various construction companies and has assisted in the successful completion of many projects in the Chicagoland area.  Tony’s passion for construction and hunger for knowledge are two of the many reasons he is so valuable to the ACCEND team. He truly loves his work and takes pride in every one of his projects. He is focused on meeting client needs and making the construction process easy and fun.

MANAGEMENT STYLE

Tony values teamwork above all else. He knows that it is necessary for everyone to work together in order to have a project run smoothly. Because of this, Tony encourages communication and collaboration. He puts worth in creating an open environment that allows team members to speak their mind and provide valuable input.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

Coaching wrestling, carpentry work around the house, traveling, attending sporting events

PROJECTS

TECH

1871

Big Machines

Centro

eBay/Braintree

Facebook

Google Regional HQ

Matter

Motorola Mobility World HQ

Sprout Social World HQ

Strata Decision Technology

FINANCIAL

Alyeska Investment Group

American National Bank

Beecken Petty O’Keefe

CapitalOne

CreditSuisse

JPMorgan Chase

Pentwater Trading

Ronin Capital

Spot Trading

TD Securities

The Private Bank

GENERAL BUSINESS

ACE Group

Beam Suntory North American HQ

Boeing World HQ

Combined Insurance

ConAgra World HQ

Constellation Brands

JMC Steel

Levy Home Entertainment

Mead Johnson Nutrition World HQ

Navigant Consulting World HQ

Northwestern Memorial Faculty Foundation

Spencer Stuart World HQ

Terra Museum of Art

UPM

Whole Foods Chicago HQ

World Kitchen

LAW

Dentons

Drinker Biddle & Reath

McDermott Will & Emery

Ropes & Gray

Tressler, Soderstrom,
Maloney & Priess

HOSPITALITY

Boka Group

Soho House

LABORATORY

Blachford Acoustics

Eichrom

Motorola GNPO

NEW CONSTRUCTION

American Society of
Anesthesiologists

Cambridge Place Condominiums

Fletcher Jones Audi of Chicago

Fletcher Jones Auto Service Center Chicago

Mercedes-Benz of Chicago

Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz Ontario

J & B Signs

HEAVY RENOVATION

150 N Michigan Sidewalk and Vaults

Central Baptist Village

Fletcher Jones Audi Beverly Hills

Fletcher Jones Audi / Volkswagen Chicago

Fletcher Jones Honda Chicago

Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz Fremont

Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz Las Vegas

Fletcher Jones Mercedes-Benz Newport Beach

Fletcher Jones Porsche Fremont

Old Saint Pat’s Church

Whitman Hart Fulton Market (MarchFirst)

Some projects listed above were completed while working for a previous construction company.

Tim Lally

TIM LALLY

Safety, Quality and Production Director

Tim Lally brings more than 20 years’ experience in construction operations to Skyline’s family of companies. As National Safety, Quality and Production Director, Tim oversees our risk and safety efforts to ensure the well-being of employees, subcontractors, projects and the public. He collaborates with teams to enhance the firm’s solid commitment to safety, quality, and production.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

Over the course of his career, Tim has served as a regional and national Safety Director at many reputable construction companies. He is widely known for his “SQP philosophy” the idea that safety, quality, and production are all one common, interdependent goal. Under this model, Tim places an emphasis on early project planning and innovative, whole-brain thinking – which allows for potential risks and constraints to be identified and solved prior to construction mobilization.

MANAGEMENT STYLE

Plan drastically upfront. Focus on the schedule and sequence activities in the correct order, thus allowing safety to become active, rather than reactive – and there is nobody who likes reactive safety.  Eliminate the gray, try to get clarity to make things black and white. But most importantly, be honest, direct and communicate known expectations.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

Outside of work Tim enjoys tattoos, cars and dogs.  He’s also a family man and has enjoyed many years of coaching sports for his two sons.

Dan Polito

DAN POLITO

PRECONSTRUCTION MANAGER

Dan is responsible for guiding clients through the preconstruction process to seamlessly plan, budget and execute commercial construction projects. He is an experienced preconstruction and construction management executive with a focus on tenant improvement, new construction and heavy renovation projects. A Chicago native with over a decade of construction experience in both the Midwest and West Coast, Dan is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key clients and business partners to drive new opportunities for ACCEND.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

Growing up, Dan had an affinity for math and science which led him to complete his degree in civil engineering.  He pursued a series of summer internships that exposed him to everything from surveying existing infrastructure to the construction of massive bridges and then onto commercial construction, where he found his personal niche. For Dan, commercial construction presents the perfect balance of people and process, allowing for complex and creative problem solving in a fast paced, collaborative work environment.

He has built over 1.5 million square feet of space for the region’s leading companies including University of Chicago, Motorola Mobility, Capital One, and Constellation Brands. Prior to joining ACCEND, Dan spent five years in the San Francisco Bay Area building relationships and constructing innovative spaces for technology and financial firms including Google, Prezi, Instacart, Flexport, Glassdoor and JPMC, amongst many others.

MANAGEMENT STYLE

Dan’s approach to orchestrating teams starts with being humble. He believes listening and creating a foundation of trust are essential. He also believes that a strong leader sets the bar in attitude and approach, but must be willing to roll up their sleeves to help get the job done.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

Outside of construction, Dan’s life is filled with good food, hiking, traveling, live music and fascinating indie documentaries.

PROJECTS

TECH

Cision

Convergint Technologies

Flexport, San Francisco

Glassdoor

Google Partnerplex

Google, San Francisco

Hashicorp

HERE.com

Mapbox

Prezi

Rakuten

Starter League

 

LAW

Perkins Coie

Reed Smith

 

 

FINANCIAL

Allianz

Baker Tilly

Capital One, Monsoon

Capital One, Chicago

Capital One, Digital Labs

Capital One, San Francisco

Crowe Horwath

JPMorgan Chase

Morningstar, Inc.

Public Financial Management

Sandbox Industries

 

HOSPITALITY

Nari

Soho House

 

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

550 Kearny Spec Suite

At the Crossroads

Centerview Partners

Constellation Brands, Chicago

Constellation Brands, San Francisco

Harley Ellis Devereaux

Instacart

Olympic Club

Perkins + Will

Spencer Stuart, Chicago

Spencer Stuart, San Francisco

The Advisory Board Company

 

LABORATORY

Motorola GNPO

 

 

HEAVY RENOVATION

345 California – The Room

505 Sansome Lobby

Denby High School

PSAV

UC Chicago Theological Seminary

 

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Ogden International School of Chicago

UC Reva and David Logan Center

 

RESIDENTIAL

Private High-Rise Residence

Some projects listed above were completed while working for a previous construction company.

Jim Smiley

JIM SMILEY

Senior Project Manager

Jim is responsible for all aspects of the construction projects that he is involved in from estimating to closeout. He works closely with clients, architects, subcontractors and vendors to develop comprehensive schedules and realistic budgets.  Jim guides the team to deliver the highest quality projects in safe work environments while consistently exceeding budget and schedule expectations.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

As a Chicago veteran with 25 years of construction experience, Jim possess a wide range of skillsets. He studied Business and Construction Management at American InterContinental University before launching his career as a Project Superintendent.  With a full understanding of constructability, field constraints and project risk, Jim quickly moved into a Project Management role, and has served as a Senior Project Manager for the last decade.  Jim has earned an exceptional reputation in the marketplace as a revered Construction Leader.  Some of his key clients include Google, Google Cloud, Vital Proteins, Schiller DuCanto & Feck, LLP and Brookfield Properties (Formally GGP).  

MANAGEMENT STYLE

Jim is a committed leader, always prepared to do what it takes to get the job done right, the first time. His strong attention to detail and unequaled work ethic help him thrive and navigate challenging and complex projects.  When working with Jim, you will instantly notice his ‘can do’ attitude towards every aspect of Project Management, and his drive to maintain a safe and productive work site.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

Attending sporting events, playing golf and traveling with his family. 

PROJECTS

TECH

Google Phase 4

Google Training Center

Google Phase 3

Google Roof Deck

Google Labs

 

FINANCIAL

UBS

 

 

HEAVY RENOVATION

Naperville Church of Christ

Knox Presbyterian Church

Village Buick GMC Dealership

Trinity Green Trails Church

AmSpec

 

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Crossroads Community Church

Creative World School

 

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

GGP

Brookefield Properties Retail

Vital Proteins

WPP Kantar

Fry Properties Office Building

Korn Ferry

Korn Ferry Expansion

4Sight Eye

 

 

LAW

McDermott Will & Emery

Schiff Hardin

Schiller, DuCanto & Fleck LLP

 

Some projects listed above were completed while working for a previous construction company.

Wes Klockowski

WES KLOCKOWSKI

Senior Project Manager

Wes is responsible for estimating, scheduling and subcontractor coordination on construction projects from conception to completion. He works closely with architects, engineers and subcontractors to ensure that every project is delivered on time and within budget. Wes specializes in delivering fast paced, phased and occupied construction projects.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

Growing up in Chicago, Wes was always infatuated by the growing city skyline. Mentored by his Uncle who worked for one of Chicago’s biggest GC’s, Wes was able to learn the intricacies of building in some of Chicago’s most iconic buildings. These experiences inspired Wes to pursue a degree in Civil Engineering and Business Management. Now, with over 10 years of industry experience, Wes has completed major projects in Chicago and Pittsburgh and brings a unique perspective and clear track record of client satisfaction to the ACCEND team.  Wes is fully dedicated to the success of his projects, and believes that no goals are unreachable for him and his project team.

MANAGEMENT STYLE

Wes gives clear direction, encourages growth opportunities and guides his team to take ownership of their work. He leads by example, putting emphasis on a carefully planned preconstruction process, which helps minimize risk for clients and deliver projects under budget. As a team lead, Wes strongly believes that attention to detail, total knowledge of the scope, and clear communication with all project team members including the client, office and field teams.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

Outside of work, Wes enjoys fitness, playing 16” softball in the city, watching sports and spending time with his family.

PROJECTS

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

30 South Wacker Dr. Lobby Refresh

Ann Sacks

Datesweiser Showroom

Global Showroom

HON Showroom

Kimball National

Kimball Office Showroom

Knoll Showroom

Knoll Textiles Showroom

Mars Wrigley

Munich RE

Riverstone Residential Group

Shure

Spark Communications

Tishman Spyer

United Airlines

WPP

 

 

LABORATORY / MEDICAL

AGH Gamma Pod

AGH Helipad Repairs

AGH Linear Accelerator

AGH Pharmacy

Mars Wrigley Lab Renovation

AGH Radiology Department

AGH OR Scrub Sinks

AGH Sterile Washers

 

HEAVY RENOVATION

IIT, Stuart School of Business Labs

IIT, Student Health & Wellness Center

IIT, Lewis College Dean’s Suite

Pitt Basketball Renovations

 

 

FINANCIAL

CitiBank Renovation

Ernst & Young

Gimbel Abrams + Singer

Goldman Sachs

Key Bank

KPMG

Pacific Western

Wells Fargo Expansion

William Blair

William Blair Expansion

 

HEAVY RENOVATION

CMU Interior Demolition & Concrete

 

 

LAW

Bryan Cave

Foran Glennon

Hall, Prangle & Schoonveld

Latham & Watkins

Littler Mendelson Renovation

Mayer Brown Restack

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius Expansion

Reed Smith Restack

Some projects listed above were completed while working for a previous construction company.

Katie Cherry

KATIE CHERRY

Project Manager

Katie is responsible for every aspect of construction projects from estimating to close-out. She works closely with clients, architects, subcontractors and vendors to develop comprehensive schedules and realistic budgets, and will then guide the team to deliver quality projects while meeting these expectations.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

As a young girl, Katie looked up to her father and grandfather, two construction veterans, who taught her the intricacies of the industry. Katie followed in their footsteps and pursued a career in construction after earning her Master’s in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan. Katie specializes in heavy renovation and high-end interiors. Over the past 14 years, she has completed over 90 projects for big name clients such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, and The Hyatt. She is dedicated to creating a seamless and fun client experience while enforcing the highest quality and safety measures.

MANAGEMENT STYLE

Katie enjoys creating  harmony and building emotional bonds with each person she works with. She is a strong communicator and believes this is the most important aspect of management, as it creates an open and friendly environment to build a trusting relationship. Katie is a motivator and always encourages her team to keep a positive outlook and look for solutions to complex situations.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

Katie enjoys going to sporting events with her family whenever she can. She and her family love traveling the country and have made it a goal to visit every major baseball stadium in the United States.

PROJECTS

RETAIL

Bloomingdales 900 N. Michigan

Canada Goose

Charlotte Russe Newark

Charlotte Russe Savannah

Charlotte Russe Taylor

COS

Guess

Nordstrom Mall of America

Nordstrom Michigan Ave

Nordstrom Rack Harlem and Irving

Nordstrom Rack Mall of America

Nordstrom Rack Northbrook

Nordstrom Vendor Shops

GENERAL BUSINESS

Equinox Lincoln Commons

Kelley Staffing

MOD Pizza

HEAVY RENOVATION

60 E Walton

Park Hyatt 800 N Michigan

SHOWROOMS

Teknion

Studio TK

Herman Miller

Some projects listed above were completed while working for a previous construction company.

Zach Toney

ZACH TONEY

Project Manager

Zach is responsible for each aspect of ACCEND’s projects from estimating to close-out. He creates construction schedules and budgets by engaging directly with clients, architects, subcontractors and vendors.

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE

Zach graduated from Mississippi State University with a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Zach is an expert in tenant improvement construction and enjoys the fast paced nature of these projects. His previous experience includes playing minor league baseball for the Chicago White Sox.  Zach was drawn to the construction industry given his passion for problem solving and working together as a team.

MANAGEMENT STYLE

Zach considers himself a “work hard – play hard” kind of person. He enjoys keeping his projects up-beat and fun, but is sure to hold everyone accountable and expects team members to do the same. He is a team player who thrives in a cooperative environment. Zach values his role as a mentor and coach.

INTERESTS & HOBBIES

Zach enjoys spending time outdoors, fishing, hiking, coaching baseball, completing projects around the house, and spending time with friends and family.

David Hayes

DAVID HAYES

CEO

 

HIS ROLE

David joined Skyline in 1996 as a partner, leading the sales and business development effort. In 2005, he assumed the role of CEO and restructured Skyline into a 100% employee-owned company, which changed the direction and future of the organization. As CEO, David is responsible for driving firm wide growth as a national commercial real estate and construction services platform with a vision of representation in every major city within the US, all operating under a people-first mentality. He leads business expansion through acquisitions, implements long and short term plans for growth, provides executive leadership and works closely the firm’s board of directors.

 

HIS BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

Before joining Skyline, David admired the construction industry from a distance through his participation in BOMA and his work with local general contractors as a vendor: “I noticed that people in the construction industry seemed to be having a lot of fun, while doing some really large projects in marquee high-rise locations,” said David, “so when I was approached by the former founders of Skyline to join them as a partner, I was excited about the opportunity to enter this business.”

 

HIS MANAGEMENT PHILOSOPHY

As a former collegiate athlete, David believes that leading an organization draws many similarities to playing team sports: “I always wore the captain’s “C” on my jersey, and it came with great responsibility. I have the same mentality towards business — no task or job is too small or too big. My goal is to always help the team move the ball forward. I hope the lessons I teach are of persistence, humility, focus and communication, coupled with a genuine desire to learn and get better. All of which results in personal and professional success.”

 

HIS INTERESTS AND HIDDEN TALENTS

David is respected as a skilled businessman, leader and innovator, but if you ask him what his true talents are, he says it’s his ability to spin plates and create parody versions of popular songs — skills he crafted during his down time while waiting tables in college.

Outside of work David likes to ski, watch hockey play golf and travel the world with his wife and kids: “Being an immigrant from Europe, I have family all over the world, which makes for fun travel experiences.”