Team
Experienced professionals who listen
It’s not just that each and every project manager has decades of experience and that the company’s support team is on top of every detail of every project, it’s that Frank H. Stowell & Sons staff care and they listen.
You won’t have to worry that the change you requested will be completed in the manner you want. Our professionals know what they are doing and take pride in making sure they deliver exactly what you want and need.
If they see stumbling blocks, they’ll recommend options. Whatever the approach, you can be assured that it’s done right.
Phil Lasarsky
President
Phil is the President of Building First Nations, acquiring Frank H. Stowell & Sons in early 2021. Phil is a proud member of the Cherokee Nation, with decades of experience in the design and construction of healthcare facilities. His additional experience includes various aspects of process engineering, technology development, and complete design/build and startup of laboratory projects. These include the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, consumer products, petrochemical and specialty chemical industries. He has developed real-time process modeling and has participated in proprietary technology development. Specific responsibilities have included feasibility and assessment studies, project scope development, capital budget planning, process development and program delivery.
As President, Phil strives to develop a well rounded team that continues to deliver high quality projects. While overseeing the team and financials, Phil ensures that the team possess the proper training and tools to be successful and continues to promote the philosophy Frank H. Stowell + Sons carried for over 100 years.
Sam W. Stowell
Executive Vice President
Grandson of Frank H. Stowell, Sr., the originator of the company, Sam started working for the firm, then run by his uncle, Frank H. Stowell, Jr., in 1974 as an apprentice carpenter. Inspired by stories of the firm’s past and the integrity that his uncle demonstrated in everything he did, Sam gradually took on increasing responsibility, first in the field and then in company management.
After his uncle’s death, Sam ran the day to day operations on his own for over twenty years, until earlier this year. At that time, he handed over the day to day operations to Chuck Wiesneth who took over as President.
Sam continues to oversee the healthcare project team and still finds time to work with customers and vendors to build that business. It’s those relationships, and those with his staff, that Sam values most. That the healthcare projects that the company completes help so many to recover from debilitating medical conditions, is something Sam finds very rewarding.
Sam completed the college degree at Northwestern’s University College in 2002 that he started at Vanderbilt University
Chuck Wiesneth
Chief Operating Officer
Chuck is Chief Operating Officer of Frank H. Stowell & Sons. Despite having a Master of Science in Education (on top of an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Construction Technology and a Bachelor’s Degree in construction management), Chuck started with the company as a carpenter in 1988. It was no surprise that he worked his way up, first to carpenter foreman, then to the superintendent and then to project management, before becoming Chief Operating Officer.
Chuck continues to seek improvement in his own skills and in what we can provide our customers. Chuck appreciates the company’s philosophy of being honest and fair. He sees this as the reason for the high level of morale, spirit and community in the workplace and the commitment to producing a final product of high quality.
Joe Burger
Estimator
Joe is Estimator for Frank H. Stowell & Sons. Since joining the company at the beginning of 2010, Joe has demonstrated his strong analytical and organization skills in the estimating function. The company, and its clients benefit from the knowledge that all details are clarified and accurately interpreted before each bid is submitted and each project is awarded.
Joe understands construction both from an academic perspective, having studied for an Associate Degree in Architectural Technology, from a high level of skill in computer-based tools such as AutoCAD and On-Screen Take Off, and from over two years of field experience.
In addition, Joe is a great team-player, both within the office and working with our subcontractors.
Brian Fuller
Project Manager
Brian Fuller is a Project Manager at Frank H. Stowell & Sons. Brian joined Stowell in May of 2015, bringing with him three decades of commercial and institutional experience in managing construction projects.
Brian’s expertise came from starting his own company in his 20’s and taking on ever more challenging projects such as custom homes and high-end restaurants. Known for quality construction and calmness under stress led to Brian running school renovation projects with their unique challenges.
It was a natural progression for Brian to be recognized as a valuable resource by Northwestern University, at both their campuses (Evanston and downtown Chicago). His team took on the full range of mid-sized remodeling projects: American Disability Act (ADA) additions, fraternity and sorority renovations (including total gutting), elevator construction, classroom buildouts (including technology), and restaurant build-outs.
Stowell has benefited from the addition of Brian and his team of skilled tradesmen who help us to meet all manner of needs that a major college with an international reputation has. Remarkably, Brian, over the last twenty years, oversaw work in just about every building on both campuses. Even more impressive is that Brian has maintained an excellent rapport with all his clients, a rapport based on his dedicated professionalism.
Tim Grealish, CHC
Project Manager and Safety Director
Tim Grealish joined Frank H. Stowell as a Construction Project Manager in spring of 2013. Tim received a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health from Illinois State University. Since then he has worked in construction and his experience covers both field and office operations.
Throughout his career, Tim has continued to seek opportunities to further his knowledge base including the OSHA 10 and 30-hour courses, has earned the Healthcare Construction Certificate and has completed the Healthcare Construction Project Management Program through the American Society of Healthcare Engineers (ASHE).
Tim’s working history includes site selection and development, major renovations to industrial facilities and interior renovations including MRI, Linear Accelerators, PET and CT scanners, X-Ray, Ultrasound, NICU projects, ground-up Medical Office Buildings and concrete vaults for cancer treatment.
Tim enjoys the interaction with individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences and the challenges that inherently come with running construction projects.
Steve O’Donnell
Project Manager
Steve O’Donnell is a Project Manager at Frank H. Stowell & Sons. Steve joined Stowell in the spring of 2017, with over 30 years of relevant experience in bringing construction projects to successful completion.
Steve received his BS degree in Construction Management from Bradley University and has worked in construction ever since – estimating, coordinating, and managing projects of all manner and size.
Steve’s work history includes site development, both new construction and major renovations of buildings; construction of retail stores, strip centers, medical facilities, design/build projects, tenant improvement work, and custom home construction. The sum total is in the hundreds, with projects as large as a 40-acre mixed-use medical office building/retail center.
Steve recognizes that the key to meeting client priorities is to effectively communicate (with owners, architects, and subcontractors) while efficiently deploying resources, and calmly responding to pressure. Experience certainly helps.
