Balfour Beatty Construction’s Mark Konchar Earns “40-Under-40” Distinction

Dallas, TX, January 15, 2009 --(PR.com)-- For four years, Building Design+Construction magazine’s annual “40 Under 40” program has recognized the top young professionals in the building industry, describing them as “some of the brightest stars in the AEC universe.” This year, BD+C recognized Mark Konchar, Vice President in Balfour Beatty Construction’s Washington division, as one of the top leaders in the industry.

Mark was selected from more than 200 entrants for this year’s list, which can be found in the magazine’s January issue and on its website, www.bdcnetwork.com. According to James J. Laychak, President of the Pentagon Memorial Fund and Balfour Beatty’s client on the Pentagon Memorial project, “I got to know Mark personally and professionally and can think of no better person to be recognized for this honor.”

Since joining the company’s Washington division in1999, Mark was instrumental in establishing and developing their Integrated Projects Group, which provides team-based project solutions on large design-build and design-assist projects. He also plays a major role in the pursuit of public/private partnerships and is on the leadership team of their recently formed Federal Group, which operates nationwide.

Reflecting on what qualifies Mark as a leader in the industry, John Tarpey, division president and CEO of Balfour Beatty in Washington, says, “Often in this industry, people just accept the status quo. Mark sees things that need to be changed in the industry and actively works to improve the way we do business.”

In November 2008, Mark challenged the status quo by helping others learn about an emerging technology in the construction business. Mark organized the company-sponsored “Integration ‘08” conference on integrated project delivery and Building Information Modeling (BIM), in which more than 130 Balfour Beatty leaders and key business partners explored the dramatic improvements in productivity, profit opportunity, partnership, and processes that BIM offers.

Mark has been directly involved in a number of research projects, is the author of several published articles and reports, and has co-authored the book, Selecting Project Delivery Systems. While obtaining his Ph.D. at Penn State University, Mark was the principal researcher on a project that provided the first empirical proof in the United States of the cost, schedule, and quality benefits of using design-build. He is a Designated Design-Build Professional (DBIA) and a LEED Accredited Professional. Outside of work Mark coaches a nationally competing girls hockey team in Maryland.

About Balfour Beatty Construction
Balfour Beatty Construction has been a leader in the U.S. commercial construction industry for 75 years, providing general contracting, at-risk construction management, design-build, preconstruction, public/private and turnkey services for clients nationwide. The company employs 1,700 professionals and is part of London-based Balfour Beatty plc, a leading international engineering, construction, and investment business exceeding $14 billion in annual revenues. For more information, visit www.balfourbeattyus.com.

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