Christopher Ilekis

Principal

Christopher Ilekis is the owner and founder of Vequity and its affiliated companies, with a focus on commercial real estate transactions since 2003. In that time, he’s represented over 500 lease and sale transactions for both national and local clients. His deep expertise in all aspects of the industry including development, design, finance, construction, and legal has contributed to Vequity’s success—including developing numerous retail projects valued over $200M in the last five years alone.

Christopher is also the owner and founder of Vequity Construction, a Chicago-based general contracting firm specializing in multi-unit facilities for local and global retailers, healthcare providers, and mixed-use commercial buildings in both urban and suburban locations nationally. Vequity Construction works in collaboration with its clients and its talented design and construction professionals to provide a trustworthy, transparent, and reliable construction process.

Vequity Real Estate Advisors (VREA) is a full-service retail real estate brokerage firm, started by Ilekis. VREA exclusively represents some of the world’s top retail brands and helps manage their real estate site selection process both locally and nationally.

Kim Ward

Operations Manager

Kim manages our overall operations and organizational processes for the development team as well as oversees all marketing efforts. Her wealth of administrative and leadership experience has been invaluable. Prior to joining Vequity, she spent four years as an Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Sales at Automatic Data Processing, a Fortune 500 Company. Kim earned her bachelor’s in public relations from Illinois State University and is a licensed real estate broker.

Zach Smrt

Managing Partner

Zach is the Managing Partner of Vequity Construction. Zach is responsible for managing all of Vequity Construction’s projects nationwide. He has extensive construction experience in retail, multi-family, hotels, senior-living, community centers, medical office buildings, and parking structures.

Prior to joining Vequity, Zach spent 10 years as a Senior Project Manager at McShane Construction. 

He is a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. Zach is an LEED Accredited Professional. 

Kevin Guerin

Chief Financial Officer

Kevin is innovation-focused and passionate about enhancing investor value through improving the speed, accuracy, and reliability of financial information through process automation. He has significant experience in real estate accounting and financial analysis with a focus in commercial, industrial, and residential asset types. Kevin holds a Master’s in Accountancy from the University of Notre Dame and a Bachelor of Accountancy from Miami University. He’s also a Certified Public Accountant.

Andrea Oulehlova

Construction Controller

Andrea is the Construction Controller for Vequity Construction LLC.  Andrea leads the construction accounting department and is responsible for all accounting functions including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, job cost accounting, and cash flow management. She has over 20 years of experience in construction and financial accounting, having served in project accounting and leadership roles for several major construction companies and real estate developers.

Mitch Hinderliter

Senior Project Manager

Mitch Hinderliter is a Project Manager for Vequity Construction LLC.  Mitch is responsible for tasks including gathering and distributing bid documents, qualifying subcontractor bids, negotiating and awarding subcontracts, scheduling, and the day-to-day communication with all members of the project team to ensure jobs remain on schedule and within budget.  

Mitch began his career in 2006 as a carpenter. Between 2010 and 2016, he travelled around the United States building for various clients as a project superintendent.  Performing and supervising field work for years, Mitch has thorough knowledge of "why" and "how" building processes should commence and occur.  

Throughout his career, Mitch has had the privilege of experiencing working with an array of clientele.  From restaurant groups like McDonald's, Starbucks, TGI Fridays, and Maggiano’s, to health and wellness centers such as Massage heights, CorePower Yoga, and Xsport Fitness.  He has also successfully completed many design builds, and large interior office renovations in high-rise or historical buildings. 

Frank Gerardi

Senior Project Estimator

Frank Gerardi is a Senior Project Estimator for Vequity Construction LLC.  Frank is responsible for tasks including gathering and distributing bid documents, qualifying subcontractor bids, negotiating and awarding subcontracts, scheduling, and the day-to-day communication with all members of the project team to ensure jobs remain on schedule and within budget.  

Frank comes to Vequity Construction with a B.S. in Construction Management from Illinois State University. He has been working as an estimator since 1996, at the start of his career. Frank has extensive experience in design build for several different project types including residential, retail, industrial, office, tenant-improvement, multi-family, and high-end restaurant builds. 

DJ Tonyan

Senior Project Manager

Being the fourth generation in construction, D.J. comes to Vequity with nearly 20 years’ experience in the construction industry.  In 2004, D.J. joined his family’s union general contracting company as a laborer during the summer and winter breaks away from school. There, he learned the construction process and valuable on-site field operations.

After graduating from Eastern Illinois University in 2010 with a B.S. of Science with a Construction Concentration, he became a Project Manager building retail, restaurant, offices, high-rise lobby and Amenities, tenant interiors, and high-end spaces for many reputable clients ranging from Starbucks, 7-Eleven, Panera Bread, Naf Naf, Mac One Midway,  TitleMax, Menchies Frozen Yogurt, XSport Fitness, PNC Bank, Brinker/Maggiano’s, Famous Brands, TGI Fridays, Café Zupas, Lima Fresca, Jiao, The Clayton, SoHo House, BIAN, Museum of Science and Industry, Raising Canes, The Foxtail, Bien Trucha Group, Hooters, Sunnyside, It’s Just Lunch, The Marmon Group, Vasco/OneSpan, Easterseals, Little Friends, and Gerald Auto. 

Jose Alvarado

Project Manager

As a Project Manager for Vequity Construction LLC.  Jose is responsible for tasks including gathering and distributing bid documents, qualifying subcontractor bids, negotiating and awarding subcontracts, scheduling, and the day-to-day communication and documentation of projects to help ensure projects move forward to completion on-time and on-budget with all members of the project team to ensure jobs remain on schedule and within budget.  

Jose began his career in 2005 as a commercial and industrial painter. In 2015 Jose started his career as a carpenter. Between 2017 and 2020, He works with clients as a project superintendent.  

Throughout his career,  has had the privilege of experiencing working with an array of clientele like Egg harbor, Panera bread, Uncle Julio’s, Andy’s Frozen Custard, Pups Pet Club, Dogtopia, Bach to rock, and LifeStance health.  He has also successfully completed many design builds for large interior office renovations in high-rise and historical buildings for LEVEL Offices. 

Zach Danna

Project Manager

As a Project Manager at Vequity Construction, Zach handles day-to-day coordination with all members of the project team, subcontractor negotiations, and documentation of projects to help ensure projects move forward to completion on-time and on-budget.

Zach comes to Vequity Construction with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois. Prior to working at Vequity, Zach spent two years working as a project manager for a national design-builder, running projects from conceptual design to final turnover. He has had the privilege of working on projects for both Fortune 500 companies and family owned businesses in the light manufacturing and industrial sector.

Noah Waterlander

Assistant Project Manager / Estimator

Noah Waterlander is an assistant project manager and estimator with several years of experience in Construction Project Management. In 2019, he graduated from The George B. Delaplaine Jr. School of Business at Hood College with a degree in Business Administration, focusing on Finance and Supply Chain Management.

Noah has had the privilege of contributing to various commercial and hospitality projects across Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. These projects have included well-known developments such as Mission Navy Yard, Salazar, The Admiral (DuPont Circle), The Hawthorne, BLT Steak, Royal Sands Social Club, Other Half Brewing, and the new Amazon HQ2. All while completing his Masters in Business Administration as a full-time night student.

Noah's responsibilities encompass critical tasks essential to project management, including coordinating bid document management, evaluating subcontractor proposals, negotiating and finalizing subcontract agreements, overseeing project schedules, and diligently managing daily project communications and documentation. This collaborative approach plays a pivotal role in maintaining project momentum, adhering to timelines, and effectively managing budgetary constraints.

Jeremy Larsen

General Superintendent

Stephen Konroyd

Project Coordinator

Laura Katarzynski

Project Coordinator

As the Project Coordinator at Vequity Construction, Laura is dedicated to ensuring the seamless execution of our projects. With a focus on organization and attention to detail, Laura works closely with our project managers to keep initiatives on track and organized. Laura’s responsibilities include coordinating contracts, facilitating communication among team members, and documenting progress and outcomes.

With a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science from the University of Northern Colorado and currently pursuing a Master's degree at Benedictine University, Laura brings an organized approach to project coordination. This academic background provides Laura with a unique set of skills and a disciplined mindset, enabling effective management of project priorities. With an eye for detail and a commitment to continuous improvement, Laura is dedicated to supporting our projects, ensuring that each one meets the highest standards of quality and performance.