About Us

About Banicki

Founded by Jerry Banicki in 1991, J. Banicki Construction, Inc. (Banicki) is a trusted heavy civil construction firm recognized for our ability to provide comprehensive horizontal infrastructure services for our owners. Headquartered in Phoenix, Banicki has completed over 1,300 municipal, state, and federal projects across the state, earning a reputation for our ability to deliver projects of all sizes and complexities with precision and efficiency.

Banicki has been at the forefront of alternative project delivery methods (APDM) since 2000, when Jerry Banicki began collaborating with the Association of General Contractors (AGC) legislative group to win passage of ARS § 34, the legislation that enables APDM for civil construction in Arizona. As a result, Banicki has consistently demonstrated our proficiency on APDM projects, providing our owners with innovative, best value, and accelerated methods to deliver civil infrastructure.

We delivered our first CMAR in 2005 for the City of Phoenix, building the civil infrastructure for the redevelopment of South Phoenix Village. Banicki has now delivered 50 CMAR projects ranging in size from $1M for the City of Sedona to the award-winning $82M Second Level Roadway Reconstruction Project at Los Angeles World Airports.

Banicki is also recognized for our outstanding client partnership and Job Order Contracting (JOC) services. Since being awarded our first JOC partnership with the City of Phoenix in 2004 for Street Transportation Services, Banicki has maintained an exceptional record of delivering on our promise of exceeding our owners’ visions on every project we deliver. This commitment has resulted in 57 JOC contract renewals across 38 JOC Master Contracts, an achievement we are incredibly proud of.

At Banicki, we are a close-knit team of construction professionals who share our values and dedication to exceeding our owners’ expectations. We prioritize our commitment to safety, communication, stakeholder involvement, and providing the highest quality of workmanship and service. Our pronounced focus on delivering exceptional quality work is highlighted by the five AGC Build Arizona Project of the Year Awards we have received on heavy civil projects delivered since 2020.

Sterling Infrastructure, Inc.

In 2011, Banicki became an independent subsidiary of Sterling Infrastructure, Inc. (Sterling). Sterling is a publicly traded heavy civil construction firm currently ranked #51 on the ENR 2023 Top 400 Contractors List and 50th on Forbes’ America’s Best Small Companies List. As one of nine independently-managed companies under Sterling, Banicki leverages the resources, best practices, and expertise of a larger firm while maintaining the personalized approach and cost structure of a local contractor.

Leadership Team

Mike Abraham – President

As President, Mike leads Banicki’s commitment to providing exceptional civil infrastructure services for our clients through dedicated partnerships, meticulous preconstruction services, and flawless execution in the field. Mike plays an active role in all aspects of Banicki’s business, providing tactful strategies for alternative delivery, preconstruction, estimating, value engineering, operations, safety planning, and ensuring overall project performance exceeds client expectations. Since joining Banicki in 2010, Mike has served in an executive role on nearly 500 APDM projects with a total value of $400M, including 30 CMAR projects at a value of $227M.

Mike began his career in construction on a self-perform asphalt crew. Through an unwavering work ethic, dedication to perform, and a commitment to excellence, Mike worked his way up the ranks to become a Senior Project Manager with Kiewit where he worked for 15-years. With 39-years of construction experience, Mike offers unmatched operational expertise in all aspects of heavy civil and horizontal infrastructure.

Outside of work, Mike is passionate about restoring classic cars and trucks, currently in the middle of a full rebuild on a 1978 Ford Bronco Ranger XLT. Tying into his passion for cars and trucks, one of Mike’s dream projects would be to build a high-profile race track whether it be a road course, oval, or off-road platform. Mike’s other hobbies include golfing with his son, taking his friends and family boating on Lake Pleasant, hiking, and tearing up the trails in his Polaris RZR.

Dave Saquella – Chief Estimator

As Chief Estimator, Dave manages and directs Banicki’s estimating department and resources to develop detailed cost estimates, quantities, and scope narratives. He is responsible for overseeing and developing intermediate preconstruction estimates, GMPs, cost models, APDM estimates, traditional DBB applications, and Banicki’s advanced in-house takeoff system capabilities. Dave and his team work closely with Banicki’s operational staff to ensure estimates provide best value for our clients by delivering the most optimal means and methods inline with accelerated scheduling.

Dave began his construction career as an estimator and field engineer for Kiewit, working on the intricate Lake Pleasant Dam Removal Project. He joined Kiewit after earning two bachelor’s degrees from Arizona State University in Construction Management and Mechanical Engineering. With 34-years of experience, Dave has comprehensive expertise in all aspects of public works estimating – specializing in municipal roadways, drainage, utilities, mass earthwork, and heavy civil construction. He has served as Chief Estimator on numerous public works projects ranging from $5K to $80M and is well-versed in federally funded projects. Dave has also served as Chief Estimator for Ames and Achen-Gardner Engineering here in Arizona.

Dave’s interest in building began at a young age when his uncle, a master piano case finish carpenter from Italy, mentored him in the art of carpentry. During high school, Dave honed his skills by framing houses and building custom patios. Today, Dave remains passionate about woodworking and is also an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys spending his free time horseback riding, ATV riding, camping, and fishing with his daughter.

Eric Rotner – Director of Operations

As Director of Operations, Eric leads all of Banicki’s Field Teams and orchestrates Banicki’s resources to deliver exceptional quality civil infrastructure for our clients. Since joining Banicki in 2007, Eric has served in operations and management roles on nearly 650 APDM projects (CMAR, Design-Build, JOC) totaling $430M – including 35 CMAR’s at a value of $232M. He is recognized for his ability to partner with our clients and design teams to develop optimal phasing, accelerated operational schedules, value engineering innovations, and comprehensive logistical planning in dynamic, deadline-driven project environments. Eric offers extensive federally funded aviation expertise and plays an active role in Banicki’s alternative delivery, preconstruction, and estimating functions.

As a Marine Corps Veteran and graduate of Arizona State with a degree in Construction Management, Eric is a fantastic leader with a pronounced focus on developing sound relationships with Banicki’s clients. He serves as an invaluable mentor and resource that our Superintendents, Project Mangers, and Project Engineers depend on to deliver outstanding construction services.

When Eric isn’t busy leading Banicki’s construction operations, he is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for fishing and hunting. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters outdoors. As a decorated aviation construction professional, Eric’s dream project would be to deliver the civil infrastructure for a new international airport from the ground up.

George Lane-Roberts, PE – Alternative Delivery & Preconstruction Manager

George leads Banicki’s alternative delivery pursuits and leverages his complex design-build background to collaborate with owners, design teams, and stakeholders to provide comprehensive preconstruction services. His alternative project delivery method (APDM) expertise includes the award-winning $390M 11th Street Bridges and Interchanges Design-Build and the $450M Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge Design-Build – the largest transportation projects in the history of our Nation’s Capital. George has a contagious personality and work ethic that enables him to lead all stakeholders through clear communication and meticulous planning, ultimately leading to a successful project for all involved.

George began his career in construction as an engineering intern under Bill Spence, the Chief Engineer of Skanska Civil Southeast. While he enjoyed performing falsework designs and crunching numbers, George soon realized his true passion lay in the dynamic operations side of the industry. Before heading west and joining Banicki in 2019, he spent ten years working on high-profile bridge and heavy highway projects in the bustling Washington D.C. metropolitan area for Skanska, Tutor Perini, OHL Group, and Archer Western.

George grew up in Virginia where he became an avid fly fisher and obtained his civil engineering degree from Virginia Tech – Go Hokies! He is the biggest Washington Football fan currently residing in Arizona, if not the world, and remains optimistic he will witness another championship season in his lifetime. He loves spending time outdoors with his wife and 2-year old daughter, grilling, biking, and trying to be the best dad for a future professional fly fisherwoman.

Chris Rodriquez – Senior Safety Manager

As Senior Safety Manager, Chris works directly with Banicki’s Project Managers, Project Engineers, Superintendents, and Field Teams to ensure every construction operation is thoroughly planned and executed with safety at the forefront. He oversees the development of all safety plans, job hazard analyses, operational innovations, and engineering controls to ensure every construction activity is performed in an Injury Free Environment (IFE).

With 38-years of self-perform expertise, Chris is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of heavy civil construction. Beginning his career as a construction laborer, Chris soon became a talented heavy equipment operator before becoming a utility and heavy civil Superintendent for 20-years. He has served the roles of Superintendent and Foreman for some of Arizona’s premier construction companies including Kiewit, Sundt, Haydon Building Corp, Hunter Contracting, and Pulice. Banicki is honored to have someone with Chris’s field experience, dedication to safety, and passion for developing our future workforce on our Management Team.

Chris loves spending time with his wife and two teenagers outdoors, especially at their cabin in Northern Arizona. He enjoys riding dirt bikes and fishing with his son, grilling with his daughter, and exploring Arizona’s diverse wilderness. As a mass earthwork and large utility builder at his core, Chris’s dream project would be to construct a large dam based on the extreme logistics and sheer operational magnitude a project of that size would entail.

Don Davis – Special Pursuits Manager

Don has 45-years of operations, estimating, and alternative delivery experience in the heavy civil, private development, and public works sectors in Arizona and Texas. As Special Pursuits Manager, Don utilizes the professional relationships he has developed throughout his career to lead pursuit teams for complex alternative delivery projects. His ability to cohesively align clients, design teams, and construction firms in working towards results-driven milestones is second to none.

Don’s father was a General Contractor and Don followed his father’s footsteps into the construction industry. Don began his career in construction as a carpenter in residential house and small commercial projects. Don expanded his skills working in heavy construction. During his 20-year career with Kiewit he ascended the ranks from Foreman, Superintendent, Project Manager, Senior Estimator and District Engineer. He has extensive bridge, structures, heavy highway, and heavy civil self-perform and managerial expertise. Don’s experience also includes private development, serving as Senior Project Manager with Kitchell on signature projects such as Avondale Gateway, Prescott Valley Crossroads, and One Scottsdale.

Outside of work, Don enjoys woodworking, gardening, hunting, and fishing. He spends much of his spare time enjoying the outdoors with his wife, three sons, and two daughters. Don’s dream project would be to build a Temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, adding to his portfolio of delivering lasting infrastructure to better serve our community.

Leadership

The company’s most valuable assets are the skilled and experienced workforce found on every project. Banicki’s key project managers have an average length of employment with the firm of over 10 years; superintendents have 15 average years of employment. This longevity gives client’s confidence in our ability to successfully deliver a high quality project. Our competent and loyal labor force is why Banicki completes project on time and within budget, why the company continues to engage challenging and profitable projects and why our customers prefer to work with us.

Vision

Banicki continues to deliver maximum client value at the lowest possible operating cost in the local and regional heavy highway construction market. The company will also continue to be recognized at the state and national level for its quality of workmanship and approach to client service. Project Management is led by a lean, cohesive core group of seasoned professionals focused on delivering project quality and value in an environment of productivity, profit and operational efficiency.

Mission

Banicki is committed to expanding its regional leadership role as a heavy/highway construction organization recognized for delivering maximum project quality and value in an environment of productivity, profit and operational efficiency.

Sustainability

 

Adding Project Value – Engaging Sustainable Construction”

Heavy civil projects rarely incorporate green initiatives due to concerns over cost effectiveness, but “green” initiatives garner media attention and overwhelming public support. Greenroads® is a sustainability rating system for roadway design and construction. In brief, Greenroads® is a collection of sustainability best practices, called “credits,” that relate to design and construction. Achieving these credits can earn points toward a total score for a project, and in general, this Greenroads® score can be used as an indicator of sustainability for the completed roadway alignment. Costs related to the Greenroads® program may be offset by sustainability savings realized during the project.

Recent Awards

2024

  • 2024 AGC AZ Safety Professional of the Year, Marc Momcilovich, CSP, CHST, Safety Manager

2023

  • 2023 AGC AZ Build Arizona Project of the Year – Terminal 4 South Concourse 1 Apron
  • 2023 ARTBA Contractor Safety Award ARTBA (American Road & Transportation Builders Association) Contractor Safety Award
  • 2023 AZ MDCE (Million Dollar Circle of Excellence) Award

2022

  • 2022 National AGC Safety Award
  • 2022 AGC AZ Build Arizona Project of the Year – Post Office Canyon Bridge
  • 2022 Arizona Transportation Partnering Excellence Award – Roadway Under $5M for Post Office Canyon Bridge
  • 2022 APWA Public Works Project of the Year –  Post Office Canyon Bridge
  • 2022 AZ MDCE (Million Dollar Circle of Excellence) Award

2021

  • 2021 AGC AZ Build Arizona Project of the Year – Jim Camp Wash Bridge #1602 & Cottonwood Wash Bridge #1603
  • 2021 AGC AZ Build Arizona Project of the Year – BNSF Glendale Intermodal Facility & Yard Expansion
  • 2021 White Mountain Apache Tribe – Building Bridges for a Better Tomorrow Award – Post Office Canyon Bridge
  • 2021 PDCA Pile Driver Project of the Year for Holbrook-Springerville Highway, Jim Camp Wash Bridge #1602 & Cottonwood Wash Bridge #1603
  • 2021 American Concrete Institute, Arizona Chapter, Transportation Award for Sky Train 2
  • 2021 NAPA Award – Quality in Construction Excellence Award for CMAR – Runway 3 / 21 Reconstruction
  • 2021 AZ MDCE (Million Dollar Circle of Excellence) Award

2020

  • 2020 AGC AZ Build Arizona Project of the Year – I-8  Araby Rd
  • 2020 ConstructSecure – Gold Safety Award

2019

  • 2019 AZ MDCE (Million Dollar Circle of Excellence) Award

2017

  • 2017 AGC CA Project Award – Meeting the Challenge of a Difficult Heavy Engineering Project for CMAR – LAX 2nd Level Roadway Construction
  • 2017 California Transportation Foundation (CTF) Aviation Project of the Year for CMAR – LAX 2nd Level Roadway Construction

  • 2017 ENR California – Airport / Transit Project of the Year for CMAR – LAX 2nd Level Roadway Construction
  • 2017 Arizona Transportation Partnering Excellence Award – ADOT/Prescott Valley Pipeline Multi-Use Path

2016

  • 2016 AGC AZ Safety Innovation Award for CMAR – LAX 2nd Level Roadway Construction
  • 2016 NAPA Award – Quality in Airfield Pavements
  • 2016 ACI Award – Quality Concrete Airfield Pavement for Terminal 4 South Apron Reconstruction
  • 2016 ADOT Partnering Excellence Award – Terminal 4 South Apron Reconstruction
  • 2016 AGC AZ Build Arizona Award – Terminal 4 South Apron Reconstruction
  • 2016 International Partnering Institute Partnering Excellence Award, Airport Partnered Project of the Year – Terminal 4 South Apron Reconstruction

2015

  • 2015 AGC CA Innovative Safety Application Award for CMAR – LAX 2nd Level Roadway Construction
  • 2015 NAPA Award Quality in Construction, Airports – Deer Valley Airport Taxiway Alpha Reconstruction
  • 2015 NAPA Award Quality in Construction –Under 50,000 Tons
  • 2015 NAPA Award Quality in Construction – Airports, PSHIA East Air Cargo Reconstruction
  • 2015 NAPA Award Quality in Construction, Innovative Pavement Under 50,000 Tons – PSHIA East Air Cargo Reconstruction