Central NY - LeChase Construction Services, LLC

About our Central New York Office

More than 35 years ago, LeChase first ventured outside of the Rochester area, building a project in Oneida County. Today, the Central New York Region – based in Syracuse, N.Y. and reaching east to Utica and south to Ithaca – has grown to be an important market for the company. “A continuing mix of both public and private spending in the region provides a steady stream of construction opportunities, and our LeChase culture – built on safety, quality and doing the right thing – aligns with the high standards of our client base,” noted LeChase Senior Vice President Lee Sommerman. The region, which handles new construction and renovations across a range of markets, is especially recognized for its work on higher education, K-12, science and technology, industrial, and commercial projects.

Regional leadership and team members

Lee Sommerman

Senior Vice President

Lee Sommerman, senior vice president, is responsible for growing LeChase’s business in Rochester and Central New York. In that role, he manages local client, employee and subcontractor relationships, oversees daily operations and works to ensure LeChase delivers services and projects that meet or exceed client expectations. Lee was named regional operations manager in 2013, having gained extensive experience as a project manager and project executive working on industrial, research and power facilities. He was appointed vice president in 2019 and senior vice president in 2022. A career-long LeChase employee, Lee joined the company as a project engineer in 1995 after graduating from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in civil engineering. He also has an A.A.S. in architecture from Alfred State College and LEED AP® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. In 2002, he completed the Future Construction Leaders program offered by the Associated General Contractors of New York.

Laird Updyke

Regional Operations Manager – K-12

Laird Updyke, regional operations manager, is responsible for managing multiple projects for core K-12 clients throughout the Central New York area. He is accountable for quality, value and safety, and oversees the recruitment and training of project team members. Laird joined LeChase as a senior project manager in 2018, bringing with him more than 20 years of experience in and around the Syracuse area. Laird holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management and an associate’s degree in architectural engineering, both from Alfred State College where he currently serves as an advisory board member for the school’s construction management program.

Patrick Griffin

Corporate Business Development Manager

As corporate business development manager, Patrick Griffin helps support get-work strategies for the Central New York Region and other LeChase business units. His responsibilities include client engagement, discovering and tracking new business opportunities, relationship development, sales strategy and management, and key market research and analysis. Patrick joined LeChase as a business development associate in 2017. He holds a bachelor’s degree in writing and rhetorical studies from Syracuse University. A member of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) since receiving his Associate DBIA certification in 2021, he currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Upstate Chapter DBIA Liberty Northeast Region. Patrick is active in the Central New York business community through organizations that include CenterstateCEO, Ithaca Area Economic Development and Mohawk Valley Edge.

Bob Conlan

Chief Estimator

As chief estimator for Central NY, Robert (Bob) Conlan leads preconstruction efforts for projects in the region. This includes responsibility for developing estimates and budgets for both hard-bid and negotiated work, constructing bid packages, evaluating subcontractors, and supporting attainment of supplier diversity goals. Bob held a variety of positions after beginning his construction career in 1978. Working in estimating since 1990, he joined Northeast Construction Services as chief estimator in 1997 and continued in that role when LeChase acquired Northeast in 2010. Bob has a B.S. in civil engineering technology from the Rochester Institute of Technology as well as an A.A.S. in civil engineering from SUNY Canton.

”LeChase has served as general contractor on three IDA-supported projects and continues to be an outstanding partner, producing quality workmanship that serves the needs of Ithaca’s businesses and communities. Their professionalism, familiarity with IDA processes, and timely and accurate reporting are a model for public-private collaboration. Their commitment to local labor is also exemplary, as evidenced by a 67% achievement rate on the recently completed Harold’s Square project and is helping set the standard by which future developments are measured.
Heather McDanielExecutive Director | Ithaca Area Economic Development

”LeChase operates on a basis of constant communication. They provided succinct reports for the District… and participated in facilities committee meetings. This has developed a sense of professional trust over the years. They do this by being good communicators.
James RodenFormer Assistant Superintendent | Baldwinsville CSD

”Working with Marc Macro and the LeChase team has been very good. They are a professional; organized team that creates quality projects. We have completed multiple projects with quality results.
Jim BlumSenior Project Manager | Syracuse University

”LeChase has been extraordinarily accommodating and communicative with myself and in daily interactions with the client, the user-group and CU entities. They’ve managed to complete a project on an intensely occupied floor of the building with very little impact. I’ve been impressed.
Pat ConradProject Manager | Cornell University

Central New York Project Portfolio