Our Team
Building for People, With People
When you hire GH Phipps to construct a building, or campus of buildings, you get more than a construction company – you have a team of employee-owners. Our leadership supports our people, clients, and community through our company mission: Inspire. Lead. Deliver. Expect an Exceptional Building Experience.
Executive Leadership
Kurt Klanderud
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board
Kurt’s construction career began in 1986; his long history with GH Phipps Construction Companies started in 1990. He served as company President/CEO from 2012-2022, President from 2007-2012, and positions as Vice President, Director, Chief Estimator, and Preconstruction Services prior to his executive leadership. He has served as Chairman of the Board since 2008.
With his company leadership roles, including Chairman of the Board and ESOP Trustee, Kurt has been responsible for setting the strategic direction of the corporation as well as managing client relationships. He has been involved with several of the company’s larger projects, including UC Health Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, Boulder Community Hospital, Platte Valley Medical Center, Colorado College, and others.
Professional organizations have also been a large part of Kurt’s industry involvement. He is a Past President of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Colorado and a current Co-Chair of the AGC of CO DC-3 Diversity Culture of Care Committee. He also serves on the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC Board of Governors, the Castle Rock EDC Executive Committee, Metro Denver Economic Development Council Executive Committee, and is currently the Chair of the GH Phipps Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Committee.
Kurt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management with a minor in Architecture from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.
Kurt Klanderud
Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board
Todd Ruff
President
Todd graduated Summa Cum Laude from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management. His exposure to the construction industry began early with his father working in construction and Todd often spending time on job sites.
After six years at GH Phipps, Todd was elected to the company Board of Directors–at age 28–the youngest member in Phipps’ history. In 2014, Todd was named a “Top 20 Under 40” with ENR Mountain States Magazine. Todd maintains his LEED AP BD+C, ASHE Certification, is a graduate of the AGC Executive Leadership Academy, and volunteers with the CSU Construction Management program.
Todd’s leadership includes a full understanding of client responsibilities, as he owned and operated his own landscape maintenance business from middle school through college, a job that allowed him to pay for his education. Major projects for which Todd previously provided preconstruction services include the $143 million Children’s Hospital Colorado East Tower Addition, the $70 million Platte Valley Medical Center, and the $61 million Boulder Community Hospital, among many others.
Todd Ruff
President
Roger Treichler
Chief Operating Officer
Roger attended the State University of New York at Cortland and worked in civil engineering for the Town of Lewiston, New York. Following graduation, he spent three years in Houston, TX, then moved to Colorado, where he gained employment with GH Phipps.
Roger’s experience at GH Phipps includes stints as a project engineer, estimator, assistant project manager, project manager/estimator, appointment as manager, and later director of Special Projects before moving into an executive leadership role. His portfolio includes several legacy projects in the Denver area: Auraria Higher Education Campus, Tivoli Student Union Revitalization, University of Denver’s Nagel Hall, and key capital improvements for the Denver Botanic Gardens Master Plan.
Roger’s certifications include LEED AP BD+C and the American Society for Healthcare Engineering Healthcare Contractor’s Certificate. He is a member of the GH Phipps Board of Directors, executive leadership for Associated General Contractors (AGC), and currently serves in an advisory role on the Women of Phipps Leadership Board.
Roger Treichler
Chief Operating Officer
Jim Clawson
Chief Financial Officer
Jim’s experience includes progressive accounting, finance and operational experience working within international engineering and construction firms.
With deep roots in the Rocky Mountain regional market, Jim contributes his expertise in ERP implementation, financial analysis, strategic planning, business planning, forecasting, contracts and procurement, risk management and alternative project delivery methods. His significant experience in financial management, human resources, and operational efficiency improvement is beneficial to GH Phipps and our clients.
Jim earned a BSBA in Accounting and Finance from Creighton University and received Executive Leadership Training from the University of Michigan, Ross School of Business.
Jim Clawson
Chief Financial Officer
Team Leadership
Mark Arnold
Director of Healthcare and Marketing
Mark is a 1985 graduate of the University of Nebraska – Lincoln with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. He has been with GH Phipps Construction Companies since 2017, and previously worked with JE Dunn Construction for 27 years, last serving as Vice President of the Phoenix, AZ office. His experience spans the Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, and Colorado markets. Mark’s project experience has been primarily in the healthcare arena, however, he has also been active in higher education, K-12, science and technology. Mark is a member of ASHE, CAHED, and USGBC.
Mark Arnold
Director of Healthcare and Marketing
Roberto Arocho-Taffanelli
Purchasing Director
Roberto studied Mechanical Engineering in the Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico. Before joining GH Phipps, he worked in the Railroad Industry, specifically worked in Commuter Trains for the past 18 years and is a APTA member the last 9 years. He is a family man that spends his weekends in his kids volleyball and basketball competitions around Colorado.
Roberto Arocho-Taffanelli
Purchasing Director
Chad Cleveland
Vice President
Chad has been with GH Phipps for seventeen years, serving as the Director of Operations since 2017. He received his bachelor’s degree from Williams College and started his construction career with Phipps as a Project Engineer in 2001. Chad holds LEED AP accreditation along with Stormwater and ASHE Certifications. Chad was fortunate to be on the team constructing the new Children’s Hospital at the Anschutz campus. This project was a career highlight for him and a place that has served his family well over the years. As a fifth generation Coloradan, Chad is happy to be part of the community focused projects that Phipps prioritizes: healthcare, education, and civic construction has been at the core of Chad’s work. Chad is passionate about his family first, but when he carves out time for himself, you can find him in the art studio creating landscape paintings or out on the golf course.
Chad Cleveland
Vice President
Danielle Curtiss
General Counsel
Danielle has been the General Counsel for the Company for 15 years. She doesn’t like to admit how long she’s been in this industry, but she obtained both her undergraduate degree in Business (BSBA) and her Law degree (J.D.) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Prior to joining GH Phipps, Danielle was a Labor and Employment and Litigation attorney for a large law firm and spent some time as an in-house lawyer for a national specialty subcontractor. In 2019, Danielle was appointed to the Colorado Worker’s Compensation Appeals Board. In addition, she sits on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Worker’s Compensation Coalition, the Board of Trustees for the Colorado Children’s Chorale, is the Chair of the AGCR Captive Claims Committee, and is a member of the AGC Legislative Committee and the National Charity League. In her spare time, Danielle loves to travel. She’s visited 49 states (ask her which one she’s still missing), and 21 countries…so far.
Danielle Curtiss
General Counsel
Margo Ferguson
Controller
Margo is a CPA with a BS in Accounting from Metro State College. She has over forty years of accounting experience, including fifteen in construction and 20 years of ESOP Administration experience. Margo currently serves on the GH Phipps Board of Directors representing the employee owners. Margo has a passion for ESOP companies. In her free time, she enjoys traveling–especially cruising–and making photo albums of her trips.
Margo Ferguson
Controller
Cris goldy
General Manager Wyoming
Cris Goldy started working for GH Phipps in 1988 as an intern. Growing up around his grandfather’s construction company led him to pursue a degree in Construction Management from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. He joined GH Phipps in 1991 as a full-time employee. Cris currently serves on the Board of Directors and Trustee Committee as the descendant of Mr. Phipps. Cris lives in Wyoming with his wife and four children.
Cris Goldy
General Manager
Wyoming
Alexander Gregory
Director of Preconstruction
Alex has a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from Georgia Southern University. He has been in the construction industry for 15 years and has been a regular member and leader of both national and regional committees in the Lean Construction Institute. Alex has been lucky enough to be part of multiple major projects at different children’s hospitals, but his favorite so far has been the Children’s Hospital of Colorado North Campus Expansion & Renovation that was the first fully IPD project in the state of Colorado. Alex is married, has two dogs, and enjoys cycling and triathlons.
Alexander Gregory
Director of Preconstruction
Shane Humphrey
Vice President
Shane holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering Technology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He has been in the construction industry for 30 years. Shane is LEED Accredited and has many certifications and licenses including holding his class A contractor’s license. Shane spends the majority of his time away from work with his wife and three children.
Shane Humphrey
Vice President
Tim Johnson
Regional Director Northern Colorado
Tim graduated from University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Civil Infrastructure Systems Engineering and started his career working for a large regional contractor in downtown Philadelphia. He met his wife travelling in Europe and to be with her moved first to West Lafayette Indiana for two years and then Fort Collins where she is a professor at Colorado State University. Tim has been a Project Engineer, Estimator, Superintendent, Project Manager, Senior Project Manager, Project Executive and Director of Risk Management throughout his 17-year construction career prior to now managing the Northern Colorado office for Phipps. Tim is also the vice chair of the Fort Collins Building Code Review Commission and is a volunteer soccer coach for Fort Collins Arsenal for his two children. In Tim’s spare time, he mountain bikes, skis, runs, and enjoys a great podcast or book.
Tim Johnson
Regional Director
Northern Colorado
Kevin Mahoney
Vice President
Kevin Mahoney has been with GH Phipps Construction Companies for nine years, serving as Director of Special Projects since 2019. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University, entering the construction industry more than 22 years ago. With experience in numerous roles, Kevin has gained valuable knowledge from his time in the field as well as working on the business side of the build environment. Kevin’s portfolio consists of projects spanning various market sectors including higher education, k-12, healthcare, science and technology, aerospace, civic, and retail. While Kevin holds many fond memories of his past projects, his proudest accomplishment as Director is leading and growing the Special Projects team to over $100M in revenue in 2021 despite pandemic market conditions. Kevin volunteers on the Women of Phipps Board of Directors and on the CU Denver Construction, Engineering, and Management (CEM) Industry Advisory Board.
Kevin Mahoney
Vice President
Christine Mortensen
Human Resources Manager
Christine attended the University of Colorado Denver and has worked in GH Phipps Human Resources Department since 2019. Christine takes a leadership role in representing GH Phipps with Transportation & Construction Girl as well as coordinating several GH Phipps fundraisers that benefit children in the Denver and surrounding area. She has served as a sports coach for children over the years, and enjoys spending time with her family when not helping with company initiatives.
Christine Mortensen
Human Resources Manager
Julie Radulovich
Controller
Julie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Colorado State University. As a CPA, she has worked in the finance and accounting field for over 24 years and is a member of the AICPA and COCPA. Julie enjoys working with various not for profit organizations and is on the board of Laradon. Her hobbies include beekeeping, gardening, and travelling.
Julie Radulovich
Controller
Keith Steflik
Director of IT
Keith studied Electromechanical Engineering and Electronics and holds an associate degree from the State University of New York, at Alfred. Prior to his 15 years in Construction IT, he held management-level IT positions in the Pharmaceutical, Managed Services, and IT Consulting industries. When not at
work, Keith enjoys building custom furniture, welding and steel fabrication, riding motorcycles, hunting, camping, and all manner of outdoor activities.
Keith Steflik
Director of IT
Lean Culture
Strong client relationships, open-book communication, and effective project team collaboration help us make the most of our Lean Construction methodologies.