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Rochester, NY

205 Indigo Creek Drive | Rochester, NY 14626 | 585 254-3510
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Project Portfolio

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About our Rochester, NY Office

LeChase was founded in Rochester in 1944, and over the years the company has built projects in virtually every part of the city and its suburbs. “We’re a mid-sized city with ‘big-city’ access to excellent schools, colleges and cultural activities,” noted Senior Vice President Jim McKenna. “It’s no wonder Rochester is nationally recognized as a great place to live and do business.”

Today, LeChase continues to be recognized as the preeminent commercial builder in Rochester. Its local team remains committed to doing business – and delivering excellence – in its hometown and across the surrounding eight-county area bordered by Lake Ontario to the north.

Regional leadership and team members

Jim McKenna

Senior Vice President

Senior Vice President James (Jim) McKenna oversees operations and leads various initiatives for the company. With a focus on growing LeChase’s business in the Rochester region, Jim manages local client, employee, and subcontractor relationships. In his role, he ensures that LeChase delivers services and projects that exceed client expectations, overseeing daily operations.

Jim heads design-build pursuits and management companywide, ensuring adherence to best practices and successful project delivery aligned with client visions. Additionally, he leads LeChase’s real estate development sector and facility management department.

With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Jim joined LeChase in early 2021 after serving as vice president of construction at a prominent commercial real estate development and management company for ten years. His responsibilities there included supporting new development opportunities and overseeing projects from conceptualization to closeout and occupancy. LeChase named Jim a senior vice president in early 2024.

Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Ohio University and is a certified Design-Build Professional® through the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). Actively involved in the community, he serves on the board of the Upstate New York chapter of DBIA and engages in various community activities in the Rochester, N.Y. area.

Brian Russo

Senior Vice President

As a senior vice president based in Rochester, Brian Russo has operational oversight on various initiatives, joint ventures, and projects. He leads several LeChase initiatives aimed at improving various processes and operations within the company. He began his construction career in 1997, serving as a project engineer, cost estimator and chief estimator at other firms before joining LeChase as director of preconstruction services in 2011. He became an operations manager in 2013, was named vice president in 2016, and appointed to his current position in 2022. Brian has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Pennsylvania State University. He is a member of the American Society of Professional Estimators and a former participant of Boston’s Future Leaders Program – a top professional platform for emerging business executives. He completed the Future Construction Leaders program offered by the Associated General Contractors of New York and has LEED AP® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Kurt Van Heusen

Chief Estimator

As Chief Estimator, Kurt Van Heusen is responsible for managing preconstruction efforts for projects in the Rochester region, as well as developing estimates and budgets for both hard-bid and negotiated work. He has more than 25 years of experience in the New York construction industry. Kurt has been involved in projects ranging from $1 million to $300 million in a variety of markets including K-12, higher education, health care, hospitality and gaming. He has a B.S. in civil engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology.
450

Regional employees

80

Years working in the region

225

Annual work completed

 

Markets Served:

Delivery Methods:

  • CM-at-Risk
  • Agency CM
  • Design-Build
  • General Construction
  • Preconstruction Consultant
  • Self-Perform
  • Owner’s Representative
  • Program Manager
  • Real Estate Development

Rochester, NY Project Portfolio

South Patient Tower Addition

Highland Hospital | Rochester, NY

Global Cybersecurity Institute

Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY

Orthopaedics & Physical Performance Center

UR Medicine | Rochester, NY

Sands-Constellation Center for Critical Care

Rochester Regional Health | Rochester, NY

Matrix Cleanroom

Thermo Fisher Scientific | Rochester, NY

Dr. Walther Cooper Academy School 10

Rochester City School District | Rochester, NY

Rochester, NY News & Community

 
 

Ribbon cutting marks completion of Highland Hospital project

 
 

Pennington honored at Rochester DEI Awards

 
 

LeChase celebrates opening of Strong Museum expansion

 
 

Canandaigua YMCA project celebrates grand opening

In addition to delivering successful construction projects, LeChase team members are known for their involvement in these and other community organizations within the Rochester, NY region.

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    We’re always looking for construction professionals who share our belief in doing the right thing for our team, clients and communities.