Leadership | Ideal Contracting

MANAGEMENT STAFF

Select a Leadership Bio to View

LOREN VENEGAS

President

Nick Luxon

Vice President

Jon Hautau

Vice President

Service Agreements

Julie Weiss-Pilarski

Controller

Rich Brown

Director of Operations

Daniel Budnik

Director of
Preconstruction

Jonathan K. Anglin

Director of Safety

Dave Miller

Director of Purchasing
& Yard Operations

PATRICK BELL

DIRECTOR OF STEEL OPERATIONS

team-loren 

LOREN VENEGAS

President
Loren has more than 20 years of experience in the commercial and industrial construction industries. He has project experience in the automotive manufacturing, automotive supplier and the institutional sector. In addition, Loren has worked in educational, office, retail and various municipal sectors of the construction industry. Loren Venegas began his employment with The Ideal Group companies in 1994. Later in 2002, Loren Venegas was appointed President of Ideal Contracting, LLC and The Ideal Group. Ideal Contracting has grown to be one the largest General Contractors in Michigan, receiving local and national recognition for its service, safety, quality and innovative construction techniques.
As President, Loren’s primary responsibility is to oversee the general operation of Ideal Contracting. Reporting directly to Frank Venegas, Jr. Ideal Group Chairman & CEO, Loren is accountable for the performance of the Ideal Contracting, LLC management team. During Loren’s tenure with the Ideal Contracting Management Team’s, the company has developed into an award-winning general contracting firm uniquely qualified to deliver the results that customers desire through Lean Construction Principles. Loren maintains contact with Ideal Contracting’s primary customers. Client satisfaction, as it relates to project delivery and service, is his final responsibility.
  • National Guard Rail and Barrier Panel
  • Society for American Military Engineers
  • Great Lakes Fabricator Association of Michigan
  • Material Handling Institute of America
team-nickl 

NICK LUXON

VICE PRESIDENT
Nick has over 19 years of construction experience and began working for Ideal Contracting in 2013. He has worked in the commercial, healthcare, educational, automotive, and industrial sectors. He has worked for companies with a strong emphasis on self-performed work such as equipment setting, iron work, concrete, excavation, carpentry, mechanical, and fire protection. Through his “outside the box” thinking, ability to adapt, and relationship building, Nick is able to construct and environment where new ideals flourish and hard work and results are rewarded. Nick graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction Management. He is a member of the Eastern Michigan Alumni Association and the Eastern Michigan Constructors, and is certified in various safety programs including AHA Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, AED and OSHA’s 30 hour certification. Nick is also a graduate of Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business Executive Education Degree.
As Vice President – Construction, Nick Luxon is responsible for all general contracting and self-perform operations within the company.  Nick manages projects through completion by overseeing scheduling, profitability, quality control, safety, and maintaining customer and subcontractor relations. He also develops the Contracting operational team through strategic hiring, monitoring and mentoring team members, setting protocol, and creating new procedures in the organization for continuous improvement.
  • Bachelor of Science in Building Construction Management from Eastern Michigan University
  • Tuck School of Business Executive Education Degree
  • AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Certified
  • OSHA 30 Hour Certified 
  • Member Eastern Michigan Alumni Association
  • Member of Eastern Michigan Constructors
team-julie 

Julie Weiss-Pilarski

Controller
With over 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Julie joined Ideal Contracting at its inception in 1998.  She brought with her significant experience in complex accounting and cost control requirements in the industrial and heavy commercial construction industry.  Her extensive knowledge in developing and integrating construction industry cost control systems including implementation and training have helped streamline accounting processes at Ideal Contracting.  Julie received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Walsh College, is member of the Construction Financial Management Association, and has attended multiple risk management seminars.
Julie Pilarski is responsible for Ideal Contracting corporate accounting and project financial information.  Julie manages the financial aspects of all Ideal Contracting projects from start to finish including the integration of estimates, job related expense tracking, processing of supplier and subcontractor invoices, project invoicing, assembly of monthly financials, and any other financial aspect of Ideal Contracting projects. Julie is also responsible for Risk Management at Ideal Contracting, introducing policies and procedures designed to reduce Ideal Contracting’s exposure in relation to insurance coverage and claims, as well as safety and loss control.  
  • Bachelor of Accountancy from Walsh College
  • Macomb Community College University Center
  • AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Certified
  • CFMA Member (Construction Financial Management Association)
team-davem 

Dave Miller

Director of Purchasing & Yard Operations
Dave began working for Ideal Contracting in 2013 with over 20 years of construction knowledge. His experience mainly focused on the financial side of the Construction Industry. He has worked in the General Contracting and Self-Perform sectors. He gained 20 years of knowledge as an Assistant Controller with Ideal Contracting’s partner, Barton Malow Company.
As Director of Purchasing & Yard Operations, Dave is responsible for managing small tools and consumables for all the projects and oversees the purchasing department, regulating the clients searching for the best pricing available & Suppliers. He also supervises the purchasing and disposing of the vehicle fleet and the capital Investment in construction equipment.
  • Bachelor of Science in Finance and Master of Science in Corporate Finance from Walsh College
  • AHA HeartSaver First Aid CPR AED Certified
  • Member of Construction Financial Management Association
team-john 

Jonathan K. Anglin

Director of Safety
Jonathan has over 18 years experience in the field of Health and Safety for both General Industry and Construction Industry. He also has a broad range of experience from performing Stand-by Rescue to acting as Safety Director.
As Director of Safety, Jon plans, implements, coordinates and administers the total corporate safety and loss control program to reduce or eliminate occupational injuries, illnesses, deaths and financial losses. He also monitors the enforcement of loss control policies and procedures at job sites, branch and corporate offices. Jon educates and promote loss control among Ideal Contracting employees and subcontractors. Jon also leads the education initiatives and direction to the company to help reduce future liabilities. He investigates causes of incidents and injuries and recommends corrective actions and advises management regarding investigation of defense of safety related claims or lawsuits. Jon manages the Ideal Contracting Return to Work Program, recruits and mentors safety professionals, and manages customer prequalification systems.
  • Hazardous Materials Training - HazMat Identification - HazMat Trainer - Schoolcraft College
  • Fall Protection Training - Rescue from Heights Training - Eastern Michigan University
  • Qualified Person for Fall Protection – DBI/SALA
  • Competent Person for Trenching/Excavating – Eastern Michigan University
  • Emergency Medical Technician - State of Michigan
  • HazMat “Tech Level” - HazMat Incident Command Training - Michigan State Police
  • HAZWOPER “Train the Trainer” - New Environment, Inc.
  • CPR/First Aid/AED Instructor – American Heart Association
  • MUST Safety Training Program Certified
  • HAZWOPER 40 Hour Certified
  • OSHA 30 Hour Certified
  • OSHA 500 & 502 Certified – Eastern Michigan University/Great Lakes Training Institute
  • Confined Space Entry Trainer – New Environment, Inc.
  • Focus Four Training – AGC of Michigan
  • Member of the CAM Safety Committee
  • Member of the Michigan Safety Conference – Construction Division
team-johnh 

Jon Hautau

Vice President
Service Agreements
Jon has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry and joined Ideal Contracting in September 2002. He has vast experience in effective project management within the sectors of automotive, industrial, commercial, healthcare, and industrial projects. Through his hands-on training at multiple levels within the construction industry, Jon possesses strong leadership, interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, along with the ability to research, analyze, and recommend the best practices for quality assurance. Jon attended Lawrence Technological University and studied Construction Management. He is a State of Michigan Licensed Professional Builder, a Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) Representative, and is certified in various safety programs including AHA Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, AED and OSHA’s 30 hour certification.
As Vice President – Program Management, Jon Hautau is responsible for the safety, process, quality, and efficiency of Ideal Contracting’s corporate construction management programs. Through his project managers, supervisors, engineering, and self-perform trade teams, Jon ensures projects are delivered within time specifications and cost-constraints, while maintaining the highest level standards of safety and quality. Jon also oversees the corporate Safety Department as well as our diversity and internship programs.
  • Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Lawrence Technological University
  • State of Michigan Professional Builder Licensed 
  • OSHA 30 hour Certified
  • AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Certified
  • Obtainment of various Safety Training Certifications
team-danb 

Daniel Budnik

Director of Preconstruction
Dan has over eighteen (18) years of experience in the construction industry fulfilling the roles of director, estimator, project manager, project engineer, field technician and owner’s representative on various automotive, industrial and commercial projects. He is proficient in the following software packages: Primevera, MS Project, AutoCAD, Excel, MS Word, and On-Screen.
Dan oversees Ideal Contracting’s estimating efforts playing an active role in developing bid strategies, preparing proposal responses, reviewing estimates and evaluating subcontractor bids. Including interfacing with owner site representatives, architect representatives, contractors, etc., fostering a sense of community among the project team. Dan also provides direction to planning, scheduling, engineering, accounting functions on projects as required. He continually reviews all areas of work to plan the most cost effective method of operating on all aspects of the project. He also has a strong background in the design-build process and value engineering.
  • Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Eastern Michigan University 
  • MUST Safety Training Program Certified
  • OSHA 30 Hour Certified
team-richb 

Rich Brown

Director of Operations
Rich joined Ideal Contracting in 2014, and brings more than 13 years of experience in estimating, project controls, scheduling, and project management. He has extensive project experience managing self-perform trades and subcontractors in various markets including Power, Process, Automotive and Commercial.
As Director of Operations, Rich is responsible for the oversight of Ideal Contracting’s general contracting and self-perform projects.
  • Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Michigan State University
  • OSHA 30 Hour Certified 
team-danb 

PATRICK BELL

DIRECTOR OF STEEL OPERATIONS
Patrick Bell has over 23 years of experience in the construction industry and began working for Ideal Contracting in 2017. He has extensive experience in various market segments including, erecting and fabricating structural and miscellaneous steel. Pat graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. He is an AWS Welding inspector and is certified in various safety programs including AHA Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, AED and OSHA’s 30 Hour certification.
As Director of Steel Operations, Patrick Bell provides overall administrative and technical direction for major projects within the steel division. He supervises and reviews project management procedures and oversees the total construction effort to ensure that the project is constructed in accordance with design, budget, and schedule. Pat interfaces with owner site representatives, architect representatives, and contractors representing Ideal in project meetings.
  • Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Michigan State University
  • AWS Welding Inspector
  • AHA Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED Certified
  • OSHA 30 Hour Certified
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