Our Team
“Our team of industry experts are the reason for the company’s success and ability to maintain our vision, all while empowering them with the freedom to learn and grow as professionals and discover how their contribution matters. They truly are the foundation of our company.” ~ Jenny Kelecius, President
Jenny Kelecius
President
Jenny Kelecius
Prior to starting Foundation Mechanics, Jenny spent several years in the medical industry where she developed her skills in customer relations, office management and business development. After helping to start and build a successful dermatology practice in Chicago, she sought after new challenges utilizing her business management skills and self-starting ambition. Through her leadership, Foundation Mechanics has experienced steady growth and financial strength since its establishment in 2011. Jenny holds a Bachelors of Science from the College of Applied Life Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. When not growing a company, Jenny loves spending time with her family and traveling.
Jon Kelecius
Vice President – Senior Project Manager
Jon Kelecius
Some of Jon’s earliest memories from childhood are working with his dad and brother in his father’s asphalt business. While attending college, Jon operated heavy equipment for his brother’s company and then accepted his first professional position with a large Chicago roadbuilder. Prior to joining Foundation Mechanics in 2011, Jon estimated and Project Managed some of the Chicago area’s largest sections of bridge and roadway construction. Jon has tailored these experiences to Foundation Mechanics’ cliental, and always seeks after challenging projects that other contractors may typically avoid. Jon holds a Bachelor of Science from the College of Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Jon is always looking for the next adventure and cannot wait to teach his two boys to keep up with him on the ski hill.
Scott Smith
VICE PRESIDENT – OPERATIONS
Scott Smith
Scott is Vice President of Operations of Foundation Mechanics. Prior to joining Foundation, Scott founded and managed Alpha Infrastructure Partners, Inc. – an company focused on global infrastructure investment opportunities. Scott also held corporate positions overseeing various aspects of legal work and operations for two ENR 200 firms – CHA Companies (Albany, NY) and HR Green (Cedar Rapids, IA). Scott holds a J.D. from Michigan State College of Law with a concentration in corporate law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Marquette University. He resides in Crystal Lake, Illinois with his wife and two kids.
Juan Lopez
Cost Engineer
Juan Lopez
Juan David is a Cost Engineer at Foundation Mechanics. He worked on oil and gas projects in South America and the Caribbean. In Chicago he worked extensively with local agencies such as the Illinois Tollway, the Water Reclamation District, Forest Preserves of Cook County, Chicago Park District, and others. He holds his master’s degree in Project Management from the Illinois State University. Recently hired on in February 2021 by FM to be part of the PMO team for the Metra Capital program as Cost Engineer. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities and going on new adventures with his son.
Calli Cantanese
Project Engineer
Calli Cantanese
Calli Catanese graduated from Winona State University in 2017 and joined Foundation Mechanics as the Project Coordinator shortly thereafter. Calli quickly moved up the ranks at FM by her proven dedication by being promoted to Project Engineer in 2020. She is also furthering her education, and has completed the IDOT Documentation of Contract Quantities certification, as well as, other training courses. By furthering her knowledge in the industry, Calli plans to take a more active role onsite Foundation Mechanics projects. After work, Calli loves coming home to her two dogs Zara and Kobe.
Lev Ladzyga
Project Manager, Construction Manager
Lev Ladzyga
Lev Ladzyga is a Project Manager for Foundation Mechanics. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2013. After graduating, Lev started his career working with multiple Civil Engineering firms focusing on Phase 1 and Phase 2 design, until he was hired by FM in October 2015. Since then, he has successfully managed contracts for clients such as the Illinois State Highway Toll Authority, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and US Army Corps of Engineers. Lev is involved in all aspects of contract execution from estimating, initial startup, managing the work in the field, and final closeout. By serving in multiple capacities within FM, he has become a well-rounded PM that can align himself with the views of the client to ultimately meet and exceed contract milestones. In his free time, Lev enjoys the outdoors, making homemade pasta, and photography.
David Belanger
Project Manager, Construction Manager
David Belanger
Dave Belanger knew his whole life that he wanted a career in construction, and achieved that goal by attending the Illinois Institute of Technology, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering in 2010. After college, he jumped right into the industry working for a large GC. It was there that Dave was exposed to major civil road and bridge projects for IDOT, ISTHA, CDOT and CDOA, mainly on the operations side. Dave then joined Foundation Mechanics as a Project Manager in 2020. He now has over 12 years of experience in the industry and continues exploring new opportunities with FM while growing his skill set on the management side. These opportunities even include working as an Owner’s Representative on the inspection side. This well-rounded experience helps him view each individual project with an open minded perspective to help facilitate each client’s goal. In his free time, Dave enjoys backpacking and camping, skiing, and woodworking projects.
Tim DeSimone
Quality Control Manager, Construction Manager
Tim DeSimone
Tim DeSimone had dreams at a young age of becoming a Custom Home Builder. He pursued that ambition, and graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Construction Management. He now has 9 years of civil road & bridge building construction experience. Tim has been involved with projects in both an Owners’ Representative capacity, as well as ensuring and overseeing Quality Control on the General Contractor’s behalf. This multitude of experience has given Tim a unique approach to building and inspecting quality work. Work experience includes projects built for owners such as Illinois DOT, Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Chicago Department of Water Management, & The United States Army Corps of Engineers. On his free time, Tim enjoys weekends at his Wisconsin lake house & boating.
Madisen Coleman
Project Coordinator
Madisen Coleman
Madisen discovered her interest in the construction industry while studying Interior Design at Missouri State University. She decided to spend an extra semester at university to study construction further, graduating with her Bachelors Degree in Interior Design with an emphasis in Construction Management. After graduation, Madisen spent 2 years in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri working as a residential interior designer, before moving to Chicago to continue her career in residential design. Soon after, Madisen joined the Foundation Mechanics team as the Project Coordinator. Outside of work, you can find Madisen hanging out with her 2 cats Sawyer and Wiggles, or exploring the Chicago restaurant scene in search of her new favorite restaurant.
madisen@foundationmech.com
Calee Roumeliotis
Office Manager
Calee Roumeliotis
Calee Roumeliotis is a construction professional and is currently the Office Manager at Foundation Mechanics. Calee’s construction experience started at one of the largest Family-Owned Commercial General Contractor’s in Portland, Oregon. She worked for 4 years as a Project Coordinator assisting in projects ranging from small TI projects to large new construction retail developments across the country, as well as public schools in the Portland Metropolitan Area. From there Calee went on to work as a Project Coordinator for a small Family-Owned electrical company in San Diego, California assisting in the coordination of electrical projects for the major hotel chains, San Diego Public School Districts and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Calee was born and raised in California, but after moving to Chicago in 2017, she is happy to call the Midwest home with her husband, 3 sons and her chocolate lab, Nahla.
Arno Blazys
Construction Inspector
Arno Blazys
Arno graduated in 2016 from Southern Illinois University Carbondale with a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering. Since then he has gained experience with managing roadway and bridge reconstruction in the Chicagoland area for the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. In his free time Arno enjoys hiking with his dog, traveling, playing music, and drawing. Arno is very eager to learn about all aspects of the construction industry and one day hopes to develop into an efficient, respected, and knowledgeable inspector and project manager with Foundation Mechanics.
Ryan Brill
Superintendent
Ryan Brill
Ryan Brill took interest in construction at an early age, while growing up watching his father work in the field. He decided to attend college to pursue a path in the industry, and graduated with a degree in Architectural Drafting and Design from Westwood College. After school, his career path brought him into the world of landscape architecture where Ryan was fortunate to have worked with high profile individuals. This experience gave him an opportunity to be a part of award-winning projects, a television show and invaluable experience.
Ryan is now a Superintendent for Foundation Mechanics, putting his expertise to great use on various landscaping and construction projects. He humbly prides himself on having learned everything he knows from coworkers and mentors in the field.
In his free time, Ryan enjoys mountain biking, exploring the woods, and true to his career outdoors, exploring mother nature.
