About Us - Benchmark Construction Company

Our Company

For over 35 years, commitment to our Core Values has made Benchmark Construction the ideal building partner for the region’s most forward-thinking organizations.

Our success comes from a steadfast commitment to the client’s vision and a culture of balance, integrity, leadership and loyalty. At Benchmark, we transform the construction experience through creation of an environment that fosters collaboration and project team engagement.

With a workplace that attracts and retains the best employees in every field. We are proud of the dedication, skill, and integrity of each of our employees, and their unique contributions in building our high-performance teams.

Balance - Fulfilling Relationships

Creating an environment where people feel they can commit time, energy and attention to the people and activities that are important to them, at work and at home.
Integrity - Do the Right Thing

Honest and truthful in our interactions with each other and our clients. Dedicated to honest and ethical practices and moral standards.
Leadership - Learning, Leading and Getting Results

Guiding, inspiring and encouraging people to grow and succeed while striving towards a common goal. Providing clear vision and direction to support the team to be their best.
Loyalty - Bleed Blue

Having a vested interest, unwavering faith and commitment to our company and its people. Being devoted to each other and having all allegiance to Benchmark and its core values.

About Benchmark Construction Company Culture

Commitment to Culture

Commitment to our clients begins with a commitment to culture. We realize that our success starts and ends with our employees so we have built a work environment of empowerment and collaboration.

Our driven and passionate team members are true masters of their trade. Through career advancement initiatives, a focus on work-life balance, and a team approach to projects, we challenge each employee to achieve their full potential.

Leaders

ROBERT A. BRANDT, JR.

Founder & Board Member

MICHAEL K. CALLAHAN

Chairman of the Board

ROBERT A. BRANDT III

President / CEO

Robert A. Brandt, Jr. (Bob)

Founder & Board Member

As the founder of Benchmark, Bob developed the strategic and corporate direction for the company that built Benchmark into a trusted, award-winning construction firm. Bob continues to oversee select projects as project executive.

Career Highlights

Bob traveled to Chennai, India to locate a quarry to mine granite for the Ware Center (formerly The Pennsylvania Academy of Music). The process included pulling rocks from the mines using elephants!
The ABC trade organization was having difficulty recruiting members during an economic downturn period. As a board member with direct recruiting responsibilities, Bob held fellow board members ‘hostage’ in an unheated barn in January until being able to convince them to increase their recruitment activities. (It worked.)

Education

B.S. Architecture, Temple University

Fun Fact

Bob’s leadership skills were apparent early: he was student council president at Lancaster Country Day School in 1970-1971.

Michael K. Callahan

Chairman of the Board

Mike provides overall leadership for Benchmark, and develops and guides the company’s business, community and corporate relationships.

Mike joined Benchmark as a carpenter in 1985, hired by the President and Founder, Robert Brandt, Jr. just a month after the company’s founding. Through many years of work, proven leadership, and dedication to Benchmark’s core values, Mike rose through the ranks of Benchmark Construction to become President from 2008-2018.

Career Highlights

One of Mike’s key achievements was working in collaboration with the executive leadership team to restructure our company to better serve the needs of our clients.
Mike was appointed to the Donegal Mutual Insurance Boards of Directors in 2010 and continues to serve.
Mike was President of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Keystone Chapter in 1998.

Education

B.A. Industrial Arts, Millersville University

Fun Facts

Mike taught high school industrial arts for two years prior to his hiring at Benchmark in 1985.
Mike attended the Guinness Academy in Dublin and is certified to craft the “Perfect Pint of Guinness.”
Mike ran a half marathon at age 50.

Robert A. Brandt III (Bobby)

President / CEO

As President and Chief Executive Officer, Bobby’s focus is on the big picture as the ultimate champion for the organization’s success. The company’s vision, strategy, and direction are all driven by his leadership.

Bobby is active in local community service organizations and serves on the board of Music for Everyone, a local music education non-profit. In support of the Music for Everyone “Keys for the City” summer program, Bobby can be seen rolling pianos down numerous Lancaster streets.

Career Highlights

Meeting the tight academic year timelines associated with the $100,000,000 Millersville Student Housing Expansion.
Bobby enthusiastically supports Benchmark’s clients in a volunteer capacity. He is a past participant in the PA College of Health Science’s Dancing for Dreams fundraiser, was on the Hospice Labor Day Auction Committee for 10 years and serves on the Facilities Committee for Fulton Theatre and LancasterHistory.org.
Bobby is a graduate of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry Leadership Lancaster program.

Education

B.S. Public Affairs, Indiana University

Fun Fact

Bobby is a former professional athlete. He played on the New York Jets after four years as a letter winner at Indiana University.

Mike Callahan

Vice President of Acquisitions & Development

Chris Flynn

Vice President of Healthcare

Mike Funck

Senior Vice President of Strategy

Mike Callahan

Vice President of Acquisitions & Development

Mike is responsible for the evaluation of acquisitions and development opportunities. He builds robust proformas, influenced by market data and his considerable development experience. This additional service offering from Benchmark allows clients to engage with the company as early as the conceptual stage in the development process.

Career Highlight

Mike was a key member of the team that led the sale and diposition of Cabin John Shopping Center in Potomac, MD. Since 2013, Mike has acquired and developed properties in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and Washington, DC.

Education

B.S. Business Administration, College of William and Mary
M.S. Accountancy, College of William and Mary
J.D. Florida Coastal School of Law
M.B.A. Jacksonville University

Fun Fact

Mike was a former quarterback during his time at the College of William and Mary and is a member of the Tribe Football Walk-on Hall of Fame.
Attended The Masters and is one of the lucky few to have left the venue with a picture from the inside.

Chris Flynn, CHC, LEED AP

Vice President of Healthcare

Chris is responsible for the leadership and management of the firm’s Healthcare market. As the market sector leader, Chris provides strategic leadership and champions the company’s vision and values. He is responsible for establishing and fostering client relationships, ensuring overall project success, and achieving defined market growth and profitability.

Career Highlight

Contributing to the planning and construction of the Frederick Street Patient Tower Overbuild and Tri-Generation Plant at Lancaster General Hospital.
Certified Health Contractor (CHC) designation.
Instrumental in growing relationship with Penn State Hershey Medical Center, a valued client and influential healthcare system in the region.
LEED accredited professional under version 2.0.

Education

Masters, Architectural Engineering, Pennsylvania State University
Masters in Arts / Religion, Liberty University

Fun Fact

Chris contributed to the Pentagon renovation and rebuilding effort after 9/11. He was associated with this project for four years early in his career.

Mike Funck

Senior Vice President of Strategy

Mike is responsible for the leadership and management of the firm’s Commercial market. As the market sector leader, Mr. Funck provides strategic leadership and champions the company’s vision and values. He is responsible for establishing and fostering client relationships, ensuring overall project success, and achieving defined market growth and profitability.

Education

B.S. Civil and Architectural Engineering, Drexel University

Kevin Kegarise

Vice President of Senior LIving

Matt Shehan

Vice President of Preconstruction Services

CHRIS SMITH

Chief Operating Officer

Kevin Kegarise

Vice President of Senior Living

Kevin is responsible for the leadership and management of the firm’s Senior Living market. As the market sector leader, Kevin provides strategic leadership and champions the company’s vision and values. He is responsible for establishing and fostering client relationships, ensuring overall project success, and achieving defined market growth and profitability.

Career Highlights

Member of the preconstruction team that was instrumental in building the uniquely shaped Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute.
Executive lead on developing the UPMC account and the construction of the 78,000 SF addition and overbuild of the West Shore Hospital.

Education

B.S. Operations Management, Grove City College

Fun Facts

Raised in Manheim, PA, he continues to invest in the community
Enjoys spending time in the outdoors with his wife and three sons

Matt Shehan

Vice President of Preconstruction Services

Matt will drive accountability for all preconstruction deliverables and services to provide best in class service, support strategic growth goals and increase employee engagement.

Career Highlight

Worked on the Master Planning and Budgeting for $250 million worth of renovations at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Has performed preconstruction services for over 20 Fortune 100 companies.

Education

B.A. in Architecture & MBA, Philadelphia University

Fun Fact

Collects, maintains and uses antique hand tools including a 100 year old saw that’s been in his family for generations.

Chris Smith

Chief Operating Officer

Chris is responsible for the establishment and continuous elevation of company-wide best practices, continuity of services and resource management. He is responsible for the implementation of best in industry performance practices in the key service areas of Preconstruction, Estimating and Construction. In his role, Chris has ultimate accountability for the consistent delivery of construction disciplines at or above Benchmark’s standards. Chris provides strategic leadership, supports employee development, and is a champion for the company’s vision and values. Chris’ proven leadership extends into the community, where he served on the executive board for the Lancaster Heart Walk /American Heart Association.

Education

B.A. Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University

Fun Fact

In high school, Chris hosted a segment called the Handyman’s Corner on his school’s TV station. Chris gave “how to” tips on projects around the house and on small buildings. He continues that today, by sharing new ideas and making sure Benchmark is committed to best industry practices.

Stuart Smith

Vice President of Market Growth

Stuart Smith

Vice President of Market Growth

Stu is responsible for the leadership and management of Benchmark’s business development efforts. As the market growth leader, he develops the strategy for matters related to territory research, growth and expansion. He is responsible for positioning the company as a market leader and ensuring that customers are aware of the Benchmark difference.

Career Highlight

Working with Diakon Lutheran Social Lutheran Social Ministries on the campus-wide repositioning of their Twining Village community –– a project that took eight years to complete.
Serving as the executive leader on a new independent living neighborhood for Brethren Village – Northside Court consists of nine apartment building with eight units in each.
Building the Long Community at Highland’s campus which consists of three buildings with over 200 apartments for independent living and personal care residents – the project, constructed for Presbyterian Senior Living, a long-time Benchmark client, utilized the PHFA program for federal, low-income housing tax credits which provides affordable rental housing for the seniors who have outlived their resources.

Education

B.S. Management & Marketing, Radford University

Fun Fact

Resident of Lancaster City and is very invested in his community.
He is a graduate of Leadership Lancaster and a founding board member of The Common Wheel, an organization built to have maximum impact in transforming lives through bikes.