Gilbane Building Strengthens Market Leadership Across Key Illinois Sectors
Chicago, IL – August 2025 – Gilbane Building is proud to announce strategic leadership appointments that reinforce its commitment to excellence and innovation across the public sector, higher education, and healthcare markets in Illinois. Connie Fierke, Zach Gaines, and Dan Welge bring a combined 50+ years of experience to their roles and will further strengthen Gilbane’s presence in these strategic market sectors.
Connie Fierke has been promoted to project executive after more than 16 years with Gilbane, where she spent the majority of her career in the field as a general superintendent. A Wisconsin native who has made Chicago her home, Connie’s expertise spans multiple markets, including K-12 education, commercial, healthcare, and justice sectors. She has played a key role in delivering complex projects such as the Elmhurst Hospital, Will County Courthouse, Berkeley School District 87 Facilities Improvements, and DeKalb County Jail. In her new role, Connie will focus on expanding Gilbane’s public sector portfolio throughout the region, leveraging her deep field experience and collaborative leadership style.
“I’m honored to continue growing with Gilbane and to lead projects that directly impact our communities,” said Connie Fierke, project executive. “Public sector work is about building trust and delivering value, and I’m excited to bring my field experience to the forefront.”
Zach Gaines joined Gilbane in April 2025 as project executive, bringing 11 years of experience delivering complex healthcare construction projects across the Chicagoland area. Prior to joining Gilbane, Zach led major projects for clients including Endeavor Health and Chicagoland Children’s Health Alliance, ranging from ground-up hospital expansions to outpatient and specialty care facilities. He has led large teams through fast-paced, multi-phased hospital projects, with a strong focus on cost forecasting to help drive client decision making, schedule management, and stakeholder coordination. Zach’s ability to deliver high-quality outcomes in active healthcare environments positions him to play a key role in expanding Gilbane’s healthcare portfolio.
“Healthcare construction is about precision, coordination, and a deep understanding of how facilities function,” said Zach Gaines, project executive. “I’m excited to join Gilbane and help expand our healthcare footprint and deliver spaces that support both patients and providers.”
Dan Welge, a seasoned construction leader with 26 years of industry experience, continues his role as senior project executive overseeing Gilbane’s Central Illinois operations and focusing on the higher education market sector. Dan has delivered higher education projects for clients including Illinois State University, Purdue University, and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He will lead Gilbane’s higher education initiatives across Illinois and Northwest Indiana, including the recently announced Purdue University Fort Wayne student housing project.
“Higher education institutions are shaping the future, and our job is to create spaces that inspire learning and innovation,” said Dan Welge, senior project executive. “I’m proud to lead our efforts in delivering transformative campus environments.”
Karrie Kratz, Vice President and Business Leader for Gilbane’s Chicago operations, emphasized the importance of strong leadership in driving Gilbane’s mission.
“Connie, Zach, and Dan exemplify the values that define Gilbane—integrity, innovation, and a deep commitment to community,” said Kratz. “Their leadership will be instrumental as we continue to build more than buildings in their respective markets.”
With over 45 years of experience building in the Chicagoland area, Gilbane continues to lead in delivering complex, community-focused projects across public, education, and healthcare sectors.
About Gilbane Building
Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from preconstruction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build, and facility management services – for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. Since 1978, Gilbane has delivered innovative construction solutions in Chicago for clients across multiple market sectors, including healthcare, higher education, K-12, and public sector, corporate and interiors, developer, residential, life sciences, and industrial. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com.