Charter Construction Team

Eric Jackson

President

Summary of Qualifications

Beginning his career on the front lines as a carpenter apprentice, Eric Jackson is now President of Charter Construction. A consummate believer that Charter is a place for opportunity, his elevation to President proves this first-hand. From his first days at the end of a shovel, Eric worked through the ranks of the organization, working on institutional, commercial, residential, and remediation projects.

Eric’s management of projects and people is enriched by over twenty five years of on the job experience, a BA from the Evergreen State College and a certificate in Construction Management from the University of Washington. He sees every project as an opportunity to earn a satisfied client, for employees to learn and achieve their fullest potential, and to create long term professional partnerships in the community.

In addition to his work at Charter, Eric sits on the Board of Directors for a CDC focused on providing affordable housing in outer SE Portland and he chairs the Board for a Youth Lacrosse club in SW Portland.

Professional Accomplishments

Named President in 2019
Named Vice President of Oregon Operations and shareholder in 2008
Led Charter’s Oregon expansion in 2004
Managed construction of the Newman Center, winner of the AGC Construction Excellence Award for New Construction in 2003
Served as Project Engineer for construction of the Paradise Employee Dormitory, winner of the AGC Grand Award for Construction Excellence in 2001

Brian Johnson

Vice President - Operations

Summary of Qualifications

Brian graduated from Brigham Young University’s Construction Management Program. He has worked as an estimator and project manager on both commercial and construction defect repair projects. Brian has personally managed more than 20 major projects. He has overseen more than 40 as a senior project manager and team leader. Brian now oversees all estimating and construction operations for the construction defect repair team. He also performs work for projects in litigation and is an expert for projects with special needs.

Professional Accomplishments

Helped establish Charter’s Construction scheduling systems
Won AGC Construction Excellence award on Lochshire Condominiums project
Established Charter’s CDR cost database, historical cost database, and current estimating systems
Has been involved in over 500 estimates and 100 bids
Established and manages Charter’s project manager training program

Selected Projects

Point Nautica Condominiums – Project manager during the construction defect remediation that involved new stucco and complicated flashing details. The project was compounded by a sprinkler pipe which froze one week before the project began.
Lochshire Condominiums – Managed the complete exterior remediation of 100 townhomes; included replacement of courtyard waterproofing, topping, planters and irrigation.
Highlands Condominiums – Managed the replacement of all roofing, sheathing and insulation to repair attic mold issue; upgraded site drainage and landscaping; remediated siding.
Fairway Lane Townhomes – Team leader during the envelope and structural repairs to 48 townhomes in Snoqualmie. Work included new shear walls and redesigned load paths to restore the structural integrity of the buildings.
Cedar Ridge Condominiums – Project manager during the renovation of these 20 year old condominiums; included replacing sheathing and adding new structural hold-downs.
Metropolitan Park Apartments – Managed the decay repair and siding replacement at the 6 story apartment building in downtown Seattle.
Garden Court Condominiums – Project manager for this project; included roofing, siding, window replacement, and installation of a new rainscreen system to allow for ventilation behind the new siding.
Jacobs Creek Condominiums – As team leader, oversaw the remediation of building envelope defect to 106 units in Sammamish; included repairs and replacement of mechanical systems providing heat to many of the homes.

Wes Snowden

Disaster Solutions and Reconstruction Team Leader - Washington

Summary of Qualifications

Involved in the construction field for more than 30 years, Wes Snowden has held positions of superintendent, estimator, sales manager, company owner and vice-president. Bringing his expertise to Charter Construction, Wes has developed a construction defect repair team unparalleled to the rest. He assists insurance companies, engineering firms, attorneys and private owners with fact-finding, troubleshooting and defect resolution. He has testified countless times as a cost expert witness in trial for multi-family and commercial court proceedings in both Washington and Oregon. Wes’s familiarity with construction defect repair and the construction industry has made him a respected and knowledgeable professional within the field of insurance repair. He has been instrumental in launching Charter’s 24 hour full-service insurance team, specializing in technically demanding and schedule-intensive insurance remediation projects.

Professional Accomplishments

Procured over $215 million in CDR and insurance work
Led investigations on over 450 commercial and multi-family projects
Developed highly acclaimed CDR informational program and presents routinely in Washington and Oregon

Selected Projects

Ward Place Condominiums - Complete strip and reclad of original siding on this four building complex, installed new rain screen system as efficiently as possible to limit tenant disruptions.
Devonshire Townhomes - 30 unit high-end residential complex located in Portland, OR that required a complete redesign and replacement of the existing cedar siding, entry columns and decks to incorporate better waterproofing details.
Carillon Heights - Renovation of a four-building high-end condominium complex on Kirkland’s waterfront; extensive rot was repaired throughout the building; siding was stripped and reclad with Hardiplank siding.
Victoria Park – Complete strip and reclad of exteriors of 84-unit condominium project in Everett; extensive interior seismic upgrades.
Garden Grove – Renovation of 101-unit Everett condominium, including strip and reclad of vinyl siding and renovation of all units’ exterior decks.
Renton Ridge – Removal and reconstruction of stair towers on four, four-story condominium units; reconstruction of all exterior decking; installation of new shearwalls, hold-downs and other seismic components; selective siding replacement to meet limited budget.
Spinnaker Point – Re-piping of 87 condominium units in Auburn complex to repair and replace failed clamps; completed work in accelerated three-month timeframe.
King's Square North Condominiums - Significant water damage from poorly designed waterproofing systems at deck areas required the removal of stucco, concrete topping slabs and damaged framing to repair to this 13-unit complex located in Portland, OR.
Seawind Condominiums - Charter worked closely with the client from this project’s conception to setup financing, design and pre-construction services. Crews replaced the 30 year-old complex’s siding, repaired dry rot and structural damage and replaced deck coatings with proper flashing detail to impede future water intrusion.
Woodlands Condominiums - Charter created a fast paced schedule to remove the building’s existing failed hydronic heating system and install new electric wall units.
Chinook Manor - Chinook Manor went through an extensive refinish, where Charter crews repaired years of water damage. New siding and vinyl windows were installed. Decks were repaired and updated with new coatings and new railings were installed.

Ray Myers

Disaster Solutions and Reconstruction / Specialty Projects Team Leader - Oregon

Summary of Qualifications

After spending almost thirty years in the construction industry, Ray Myers has built up an incredible body of knowledge through experience and hard work. When he was growing up, Ray enjoyed building projects - anything from a skateboard ramp to a model car. In middle school he took a drafting class and he enjoyed it so much that he began to think about career options in the residential or commercial building industry.

After graduating high school, Ray immediately began working in the thriving asbestos abatement industry. He later moved on to work as a Superintendent for a team of residential home flippers, a position he held for five years. In this environment Ray led his team with a focus on adhering to proper processes and procedures that he maintains today. This extensive experience as a lead carpenter and superintendent prepared him well for subsequent roles in construction management.

Ray began his career at Charter working as a Lead Carpenter for the Special Projects Team in Portland. In this role, he was the lead staff member on the job site each day. He oversaw daily work on the job site, transported materials to the site, and coordinated with the Project Manager. His next move was to become a Project Manager (PM) for the same team. As PM he traveled to job sites to establish the scope of work for each job and to correctly calculate job bids. Once the project was underway, he optimized the project’s scheduling for maximum efficiency.

During this time, Ray was building important relationships with local property management companies, community managers, consultants, and attorneys in the greater Portland area that Charter works with regularly on special projects. This focused business development led to a dramatic increase in business and Charter’s annual earnings. The Special Projects team grew from just one Project Manager, Ray, to five project managers. The team was delivering quality construction, communicating clearly with everyone involved in a project, and meeting deadlines while staying on budget. Eight years ago, Ray was promoted to Operations Manager of both the Special Projects Team and the Disaster Solutions team.

In addition to his office management duties, Ray was also promoted to Team Leader for the Special Projects and Disaster Solutions Team in 2022. Ray’s responsibilities as Team Leader cover a wide range of duties, including, overseeing bids and project budgets, maintaining overall quality control and ensuring that Charter’s clients receive timely responses and excellent customer service. Business Development is still a part of Ray’s responsibilities, along with general marketing to clients and he also manages Charter’s fleet of vehicles.

Charter opened a satellite office in Vancouver, Washington in 2022 and Ray became the office’s Team Leader. Expanding operations was a natural next step for Charter due to both the large volume of work that the company handles in Vancouver and the many Charter staff who call Vancouver home. Now staff can get to work and job sites more quickly and efficiently and Charter is well positioned to support the high demand for construction that this area sustains.

Professional Accomplishments

Violand Management Associates Management Development Program
2017 FMI Leadership Institute Certification
2009 AGC Supervisory Training Program
OSHA 30 Certification
2010 NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Project Management Certification
Certified in Xactimate 25
Mold Assessment / Remediation Training
Diamond DKI Training
Subrogation Training

Garret Reynolds

Remediation Team Leader - Oregon

Summary of Qualifications

By the time Garret Reynolds was in middle school he was working alongside his father, an established carpenter. Under his father’s direction Garret learned how to frame homes, install roofing and siding, and finish interiors. In high school Garret got a job at a lumber yard. This position allowed him to establish relationships with many local building contractors while he was learning more about the lumber industry. Garret worked in this position throughout college, later graduating with a Bachelor’s in Construction Management from Brigham Young University. In 2008, he joined Charter Construction as a Project Engineer. He was quickly promoted to Project Manager, a position that he credits with helping him gain valuable on the job knowledge that he uses today when advising team members. Next, Garret was promoted to Operations Manager for the Remediation Team in Portland. Garret worked directly with Charter’s Vice President of Operations while in this position, in addition to his other responsibilities.

In 2023, Garret was promoted to his current position of Team Leader for the Remediation Team. Managing multiple projects, setting priorities, and communicating with team members in a clear and calm manner all come naturally to Garret. He deals with issues and difficulties on job sites quickly and directly, while educating team members in the process. His fifteen years of experience on the job, along with his education in construction management, help Garret find efficient resolutions to issues that ensure project budgets and timelines are met. After using cost management tools to forecast budgets and avoid cost overruns for many years, Garret now reviews and advises his team members on all of the bids they prepare. During the bidding process, Garret is often interviewed by potential clients. These interviews give him an opportunity to provide in-depth answers to any questions clients may have about processes, timelines, budgets, or any part of the construction process. If a bid is accepted, Garret works closely with the project’s Superintendent to determine the staff requirements. Then he helps interview potential staff and makes final hiring decisions.

Garret collaborates with the Charter Business Development Manager in Portland to grow and maintain relationships with clients, property managers, and HOAs in the Portland area. These positive, two-way relationships often lead to Charter being an invaluable resource when property difficulties and issues arise. Marketing is a natural extension of the work Garret does and it gives him the opportunity to inform clients of the specific benefits Charter provides for remediation projects. Conducting annual reviews with his team members gives Garret an opportunity to applaud his team members’ successes and provide guidance on any challenges. During his career at Charter, Garret has worked on a diverse range of construction projects, including, many large condominium building reclads, modular assisted care centers, complex targeted repair projects, and numerous remediation projects. His dedication to both his Team Leader Role and delivering a superior level of construction on a daily basis is evident in everything he does.

Paul Kitchell

Remediation Team Operations Manager - Washington

Summary of Qualifications

Growing up in Seattle's Queen Anne neighborhood, Paul Kitchell developed a passion for construction at an early age. After graduating from Emory University in Atlanta with a degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, he returned to Seattle and began working for Charter’s as a Project Engineer. He quickly advanced to Project Manager and then Senior Project Manager at Charter before being promoted to his current role as Operations Manager for the Remediation Team in Seattle.

In his current position, Paul oversees the daily operations of a vital team of thirty professionals, including Project Managers, Project Engineers, Superintendents, Lead Carpenters, and Laborers. He begins each project with a thorough review of the estimates prepared by his team, leveraging his extensive experience to make any necessary adjustments. Once a project is approved, Paul collaborates closely with his team to coordinate various construction phases, select subcontractors, develop schedules, and manage budgetary constraints.

Paul fosters a culture of trust and empowerment within his team, believing that when each member is supported to contribute their best, everyone benefits. This collaborative environment not only enhances productivity but also drives project success. Open communication with team members, clients, subcontractors, architects, and engineers allows Paul to focus his efforts where they are most needed.

His exceptional organizational skills have been key to successfully completing projects on time and within budget. Paul also prioritizes advancing Charter's construction software and training staff on its effective use. His computer science background positions Charter at the forefront of the construction industry, enabling the integration of innovative software and cutting-edge technology in the field. Recently, he updated Charter’s estimating software to maximize functionality and productivity for the team.

By visiting each job site weekly, Paul stays informed about project progress and is readily available to assist team members with complex challenges, helping them devise effective solutions that minimize disruptions to timelines, budgets, and project scopes. After a decade in the construction industry, Paul remains passionate about his work, finding fulfillment in the opportunity to enhance residents’ lives and make a lasting positive impact in the community.

Kevin Nelson

Disaster Solutions and Reconstruction / Specialty Projects Operations Manager - Oregon

Summary of Qualifications

Growing up in Portland, Kevin Nelson got his start in construction working for his father. He worked as a framer and performed general construction work on new residences. After graduating from high school, Kevin attended Linn Benton Community College in Portland and received his Associates of Arts Degree. His interest in construction led him to start his own siding company, which he owned and successfully ran for ten years in the greater Portland area.

Following a downturn in the construction of new homes in Portland, Kevin moved into the restoration side of construction. He accepted a position at Horizon Restoration as a Superintendent and remained there for the next six years. In this role, he worked with residential homeowners, oversaw a team of Horizon carpenters and various subcontractors, and managed the job site from open to close on a daily basis. Kevin’s leadership skills and his ability to accurately schedule a project’s life cycle enables his teams to consistently meet their projected goals.

In 2010, Kevin was recruited to join the growing team of remediation professionals at Charter Contruction’s Portland office. The opportunity to help build and grow a new division at Charter appealed to Kevin and he accepted a position as a Superintendent. Charter turned out to be a natural fit for Kevin’s skill set and his focus on consistently delivering high quality construction solutions that exceed client expectations. Within a year and a half of being hired, he was promoted to a Project Manager position. Kevin was promoted once again, this time to the Disaster Solutions and Reconstruction Operations Manager position, in 2022.

When Kevin started out at Charter, he was heavily involved in marketing the new division’s work within the community. Developing business relationships with partners such as community managers, insurance adjusters, and senior living managers is still an important part of his responsibilities today. Kevin is especially adept at communicating with a wide variety of personalities and has experience working with internal staff, subcontractors, insurance adjusters, architects, engineers, and clients. When working with Charter team members, he prioritizes listening to his fellow employees and truly collaborates with staff.

When issues arise, Kevin quickly develops solutions that protect the original budget and delivery date. His ability to prioritize tasks, both at the start of a project and as required during the construction process, enables his teams to stick to their schedules and meet goal after goal as a project moves towards completion.

Kevin appreciates that as a company, Charter is always open to new ideas that can improve processes and outcomes. He considers the depth of knowledge available to Charter team members on a daily basis to be an important factor in their success. Now that he has been a Charter employee for 14 years, Kevin is proud of the substantial growth he has helped the company achieve in the Remediation market space.

Greg Forell

General Superintendent

Summary of Qualifications

Greg Forell has spent 45 years working in construction management and 40 of those years working specifically as a Superintendent. Never one to rest on his past accomplishments, Greg believes in doing “whatever it takes,” to deliver the best possible outcomes to clients.

During summers off from college, Greg got his start in construction by helping his dad build rental homes from the ground up. The wide variety of construction skills he learned during this time still informs the work he does today as a Superintendent. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Construction Engineering Management from Oregon State University, Greg briefly worked for a small construction company.

Then he moved to Mega Construction in Portland, where he became a Superintendent and spent the next twenty-one years. Greg developed and fine-tuned his approach to construction management during this time, growing his skill set with every project. While working for Mega Construction, Greg was the Superintendent on a unique project to build a wind tunnel for a freight liner on Swan Island. He also oversaw the construction of a Four Points hotel by Marriott in Portland.

In 2006, an invitation to talk over career opportunities at Charter intrigued Greg. After taking a tour of Charter’s active job sites to ensure he was the right fit for the position, Greg accepted a position as a Superintendent in Charter’s Portland office. The timing was right, as he was ready to make the move to a more collaborative and supportive work environment.

The remarkable productivity that Greg has been able to achieve in his career is due to his ability to maximize both his and his entire team’s time, as well as his ability to multitask. He recently brought a project to a successful close a full month before the projected deadline. Reacting thoughtfully and decisively to issues that impact a job’s timeline, accurately prioritizing tasks both when planning a project and on a daily basis, and constantly factoring budgetary restraints into his decisions, has helped Greg bring in project after project on time and at budget.

During his time at Charter, Greg served as Superintendent for the Condos at Stonewater project. Stonewater was the largest construction defect repair project in Oregon at the time it was completed. The Condos at Stonewater had been damaged by water intrusion and there was an additional urgency because the buildings’ decks were leaking into occupied spaces. Once again, Greg brought this large-scale building envelope project to a rapid close while maintaining the timeline and budget. Greg is adept at building positive relationships with residents and owners due to the depth of his commitment to the success of each project he oversees.

Greg also builds and maintains strong mentoring relationships with team members that have helped Charter personnel intentionally grow their skills and move on to more challenging roles in the company. A native of Oregon and an avid boater, Greg enjoys spending time on the water during his off hours. Steelhead fishing and water skiing are some of his favorite pastimes.

Andrea Levine

HR Manager

Summary of Qualifications

Andrea Levine has spent much of her career in Human Resources (HR) working for prestigious Seattle-based companies. She brings considerable experience to her position as HR Manager at Charter’s Seattle office, as well as an avid interest in construction. In her own words, Andrea is a problem-solving HR professional who embraces a diverse experience with a focus on process optimization and reduction of back-end costs. She is able to take both a macro approach to her work - during which she analyzes the big picture processes and looks for ways to increase HR efficiency company wide, and a micro approach, where she works one-on-one with employees and leaders to resolve issues and create lasting solutions.

Andrea began her HR career working for Nordstrom where she enjoyed the collaborative environment working for such a large organization afforded her. While she held many different Human Resource roles within the organization, it was one of her fondest, where Andrea and her small HR team supported the human resource needs of 1700 employees. She also analyzed and reported on the costs of turnover within the company. Her next move was to another Seattle-based company, Bartell Drugs. As a Benefits Specialist, Andrea reduced the company’s insurance rates and L&I costs through innovative employee programs that had a significant ROI.

Later in her career, she moved to Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center where she created & managed a benefits strategy through the design, feedback, and implementation of a holistic wellness program for 5000 employees. Notably, Andrea successfully streamlined HR processes in order to increase efficiency for both the HR department and the employees who utilized it.

Growing up in Seattle, Andrea developed an early interest in construction. She was her father’s assistant for the construction projects he accomplished in their home and she knew the name of every tool in her garage by the time she was in grade school. When she became a homeowner herself, she started doing DIY home projects and also brought in professionals when the job warranted it. In both cases, Andrea learned much about the construction process.

At Charter, Andrea is connecting with employees on a daily basis and building relationships that help diminish or eliminate any uncomfortableness employees feel when they need to ask for assistance. Her ability to flex and ‘meet employees where they are’ is a real benefit to the individuals she supports. For Charter employees on a job site, Andrea is happy to meet them onsite at their location to chat with them. She also loves leaving the work environment - maybe taking a walk or grabbing coffee - as a method of calming employees and helping them open up so that problem solving can take place.

Andrea enjoys the camaraderie and supportive atmosphere at Charter, especially since she is focused on cultivating and growing all of the positive aspects of professional life that already exist at Charter. She describes her management style as being focused on providing support and encouragement, which dovetails nicely with the collaborative environment at Charter Construction.

Lauren Allen

Safety Manager - Oregon

Lauren Allen knew from a very young age that she wanted to focus her career on saving and protecting people’s lives. As a result of her hard work and dedication, Lauren has been able to realize that goal in a number of different ways - from working as a firefighter and EMT to managing safety protocols at construction sites and businesses.
While in high school, Lauren was able to join a Firefighter Cadet training program, starting her on the path to saving lives. After high school graduation, Lauren completed an EMT training program and then attended Portland Community College (PCC) where she earned an AAS Degree in Fire Science. Lauren took a Building Construction course at PCC that was designed to help firefighters understand how a building is constructed from start to finish. This class piqued her interest in the construction industry and she was impressed with the many professional avenues available to construction personnel.

Her first safety-related job was working for Cintas as a Health and Safety Specialist where she trained personnel in OSHA regulations, first aid, CPR, and other safety-related issues. Lauren later moved to a position with Cintas Fire Protection where she performed safety inspections, kept regular safety reports, and led trainings. When Lauren retired from fire and EMS in 2017, she was offered a position providing construction site safety for a new casino in the Portland area. This renewed her interest in the construction industry and Lauren accepted the position, later transitioning into working as a Security Officer for the casino when it opened. She followed this up with a position as a Safety, Health, and Environmental Manager for SOLV Energy. In this job, Lauren continued to oversee and guide workplace safety and she also provided occasional emergency medical care.

Lauren actively supports Charter’s Job Site Safety Officers and works directly with Superintendents and Project Managers to set up and maintain safety programs. By conducting a wide variety of educational safety training opportunities at Charter, including, classes, seminars, and workshops, Lauren is constantly raising safety awareness.

Lauren’s background in both hands-on emergency care and as a safety officer give her a comprehensive perspective that informs the work she does each day. This allows her to fully grasp all of the possible scenarios that might occur and how to best prevent them. She uses her experience, time on the job, and vast knowledge to ensure the highest possible safety measures are always in place on Charter Construction sites. As Lauren sees it, “From the office to the field, our teams really and truly do hold our safety program together. My guidance and accountability ensures that everyone follows the methods that have been put in place.” Lauren is proud to do her part to provide a safe working environment for Charter Construction team members so that they go home to their families happy, healthy, and safe at the end of each day.

Jeff Wharton

Safety Manager - Washington

Summary of Qualifications

Charter’s Safety Manager, Jeff Wharton, has more than thirty years of experience in construction and safety management. He started working as a laborer in high school alongside his father, who was a Foreman and Superintendent. Jeff continued his construction career while going to college to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Safety and Health Management.

After graduating college, Jeff combined his education with his background in construction and began working as a Safety and Health Manager on construction sites. He has worked on an incredibly wide variety of construction projects. On the commercial side, Jeff has worked on everything from stadium projects to retail stores and mixed-use low- and high- rise buildings. His residential clients include several home remodeling projects. When it comes to more unique construction work, Jeff has worked on airport runways, roads, and even underground projects.

As Charter’s Safety Manager Jeff oversees safety protocols and procedures on all Charter projects in the greater Seattle area. He also provides guidance to the Boise office and collaborates with the safety team in the Portland office.His experience in the construction industry and his natural propensity for analytical thought help Jeff develop effective safety protocols. Maintaining open and ongoing communication with the Superintendents and Foreman on Charter job sites is a priority for Jeff. His construction experience allows him to easily communicate with on-site staff and resolve possible safety issues quickly and effectively. In addition to the general safety measures, Jeff makes additional safety updates and shares them with individual project teams or companywide as needed.

Coordinating, planning, and performing employee training is a central part of the Safety Manager position, as is maintaining accurate employee training records. Jeff’s decades of experience developing and delivering training to construction employees help him effectively teach critical safety measures to Charter staff. Site inspections before and during the construction process are vital to maintaining safety on a job site and Jeff maintains a strict inspection schedule for each job.

In his former positions, Jeff has worked with many notable PNW companies, including, Amazon, Intel, and Boeing, as well as government organizations such as the U.S. Department of Defense and the City of Seattle. The transition to working at Charter has gone smoothly for Jeff. He enjoys working in Charter’s supportive and collaborative work environment, as it takes a true team effort to provide a safe work environment for employees, residents, and owners on a daily basis.

Our Team

Doing right is in our DNA.