An Eagle Scout by the age of 16, Herman Chanen is an influential Arizonan, leading the community in business, politics, and philanthropy for almost 70 years.  After serving his country in the US Navy, Mr. Chanen founded Chanen Construction Company, Inc. in 1955 with a borrowed $1,000 and developed it into one of the largest privately held general contracting and construction management firms in the US. He was featured in the former Look magazine as one of the nation’s drivers of growth in the southwest US.  While building one of the nation’s leading construction companies, Mr. Chanen has been involved in a long list of civic activities. He has served on more than 50 public and private boards and commissions, each of which plays a vital role in the economic and social/cultural development of Arizona. He has won more than 40 community service awards including the Comet Award from Midwestern University. Phoenix Advertising Club Man of the Year, Human Relations Award from the National Conference for Community and Justice, Golden Plate Award of the National Academy of Achievement, the Human Relations Award of the Anti-Defamation League, and Ellis Island Medal of Honor https://www.eihonors.org/ along with such notable recipients as The Honorable Gregory W. Meeks, General Raymond T. Odierno, Vice Admiral Robert F. Dunn, USN (Ret.), Ray Charles “Sugar Ray” Leonard, Frankie Valli, and Brook Shields.

He has received a presidential appointment from President Lyndon Johnson to the National Board of the National Alliance of Businessmen and gubernatorial appointments for work in human services areas. Reflective of his long-standing interest in education and youth, Mr. Chanen was appointed to the Arizona Board of Regents (https://www.azregents.edu/board/board-members) in 1984 by then Arizona governor Bruce Babbitt and assumed the presidency of that organization in 1988. Following his term as a Regent, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Arizona State University in 1994. During his tenure, he was instrumental in structuring the Board of Regent’s capital development oversight and fiscal review process.  Mr. Chanen was a member of the selection committees that hired Dr. Lattie F. Coor, Jr. and  Dr. Michael M. Crow as presidents of Arizona State University.  His interest in affordable health care has led him to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Barrow Neurological Foundation (https://www.barrowneuro.org/), the Banner Health Foundation (formerly Samaritan Medical Foundation)  and as Chairman of The Arizona Heart Foundation. His interest in promoting economic development in Arizona led him to serving on the Board of Directors of Bank One, Arizona (now Chase Bank), and as a founder and member of Greater Phoenix Economic Council (https://www.gpec.org/) member, former chairman of Greater Phoenix Leadership https://www.gplinc.org/, member of the Arizona Economic Council, National Director of the Associated General Contractors of America, and past President and Director of the Arizona Building Contractors. As the son of immigrants, Mr. Chanen worked tirelessly for the causes of immigrants and minority groups giving generously of his time and leadership to support the United Way, the Greater Phoenix Urban League, First Things First Foundation, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the valley – Arizona.

BS – Arizona State University, 1975

JD – Arizona State University, 1979

MBA (candidate)- Harvard Business School, 2021

Steve Chanen started his first profitable business at the age of 15, beginning a passion for business and entrepreneurship. He is a renaissance man who blends deep interests in construction, investment banking, law, finance, hospitality, and music into a creative, ever-evolving approach to business leadership.  As President and CEO of Chanen, he led the company’s success in noteworthy and award-wining construction projects including the $450M Talking Stick Resort  for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Scottsdale, Arizona, the $4.2 Billion University of North Carolina Program of Bond and Non-bond Projects (16 campuses statewide, North Carolina); and the Midwestern University campuses in Downers Grove, Illinois and Glendale, Arizona.

In additional to being the CEO of Chanen Construction Company, he has been a lawyer for the past 40 years, a licensed securities principal, a licensed real estate broker, the founder of a boutique investment banking firm and an appointee of three Arizona governors.

Mr. Chanen’s current or former business affiliations include Biltmore Bank of Arizona (Director), ILX Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ:ILX) (Director); Arizona Bar Association (Fellow), California Bar Association, YPO-Young Presidents Organization (Member and Chapter President), Greater Phoenix Leadership, Chief Executives Organization, and Sustainability Partners https://www.sustainability.partners/  (Advisory Board Member.)

Mr. Chanen is or has been a member of the board of trustees of the following non-profit organizations: Midwestern University https://www.midwestern.edu/ (Trustee), Claremont Lincoln University https://www.claremontlincoln.edu/ (Board Member), Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation (Trustee); The Arizona Science Center (Director); The Arizona Motion Picture and Television Advisory Board (Director and President); Heard Museum (Director); Camp Anytown/Anytown America, Inc. a nationally recognized, award winning leadership and social justice program for youth (Director); Phoenix Community Council (Director and President); Greater Phoenix Economic Council (member); Congregation Beth Israel (Director and President); Social Venture Partners (Member); The Maricopa County Community College District Foundation https://mcccdf.org/  (Director and President); and Maricopa Community Colleges Citizen’s Bond Committee (Chairman).

Awards and recognition include: COMET (Community Outreach: Motivating Excellence for Tomorrow) Award of Midwestern University, which recognizes outstanding individuals who have shown exemplary commitment to the community, Teach for America (the largest teachers corps in the US) Homeroom Hero Award; Herberger Humanitarian of the Year Award of the Arizona Human Society; Leader of Distinction by the Anti-Defamation League, and YWCA – Honorary “Y’s Guy.

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Brigham Young University at Provo, Utah

Chris Webb has been in the construction industry and a leader at Chanen since 1991.   As a Certified Public Accountant with 36 years of experience, Chris worked five years for a major public accounting firm.  Before joining Chanen, He worked as a public accounting auditor and internal auditor.  Chris was initially hired as Controller at Chanen and later was promoted to Chief Financial Officer. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Arizona Society of CPAs and the Construction Financial Management Association.

Chris has substantial experience in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and is a leader in identifying and analyzing risks, and improvement of construction project management processes and effective use of resources.  As a 30-year veteran at Chanen, Chris is known and trusted inside and outside of Chanen.  Chris’ responsibilities include finances, taxes, risk management, human resources, and contract management.  His main interests include family, faith, service, friends, sports and music.

Bachelor of Science/Construction Engineering, Arizona State University
CM LEAN

Having been in the build industry since 1983 and joining Chanen in 1997, Jim is a seasoned construction professional with significant expertise in numerous project types and construction methods. Jim’s focus is client satisfaction, and is responsible for directing all project construction services, and oversees the budget, schedule, quality, procurement, and turnover of every project under Chanen’s purview. Jim lives the mission of making Chanen the greatest builder in the world, based on our clients’ love for our buildings.

Bachelor of Science in Business Management, University of Texas at El Paso

Tom is a trusted leader in construction cost estimating.  As Chanen’s  Vice President Estimating and Preconstruction Services, Tom directs Chanen’s proven methods in cost estimating, value analysis, life-cycle costing, and building information modeling. In Chanen’s 65-year history, Chanen has had only four chief estimators and Tom has continued Chanen’s success in never having exceeded an estimate.  Tom’s construction career spans over 39 years and has been Chanen’s chief estimator since 2005.

Prior to joining Chanen, Tom held positions as senior project manager, senior estimator, vice president, and president of construction. In these various capacities, he established formal value engineering programs, directed preparation of estimates for both negotiated and competitively-bid work and managed the construction of many building projects for a wide spectrum of clients.

OSHA, 29 CRF 1926 Expert, SHA 30 hour, HAZWOPER 40/24/8, CM Lean

Ken’s construction career began in 1978, comprising over 40 years of build industry experience.  Ken’s experience has encompassed a broad spectrum of projects, including hospitality, educational, and health care. He has become known for his efforts to intelligent analysis of the workflow and drives the projects to a successful and early completion.

Ken is responsible for coordinating and supervising the subcontractors, managing other superintendents, documenting project status, producing daily field reports, and facilitating all communication among members of the team. He is well-versed in working with project team members, including owners, architects and subcontractors. Ken is another Chanen success story having joined Chanen in 1997 as an assistant superintendent and advancing to project general superintendent and ultimately general superintendent of multiple projects in multiple locations.

M.S., Construction – Arizona State University
Bachelor of Architecture, Bhopal University, India

Mr. Kak began his career in 1983 and joined Chanen in 2008. He interacts with Architects from the design phase to establish probable cost of each element of the project. He reviews project design for constructability, value engineering, and developing a baseline cost model.

His responsibilities in pre-construction services include systems and CSI estimates, establish GMP, cost analysis, material/system studies, value engineering, and bids/scope review. Ajay is also responsible for budget control, monitoring subcontractors work-in-place, manpower, and cash flow. His efforts ensure maintaining project schedule and quality control.

Director of Communications

Joining Chanen in 2003, Ms. Mills is the Director of Communications and directs both our in and out-of-house marketing and communication efforts. She is responsible for proposal and presentation preparation, advertising and promotion, graphic design and print media, client appreciation, social media marketing, and is a member of the business development team.  Donna represents Chanen on various committees, including AAED and Midwestern University. Prior to work with Chanen, Donna worked in the architecture/engineering/construction industry for architectural and civil engineering firms.  In addition to her full list of duties, Donna also photographs every Chanen Team Member event, leads Chanen culture events and performs interior design work.

BA in Social Sciences from the Ohio State University – 1973.
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) – 1998.

Jeff Stana is employed by Chanen Construction Company as the Director of Information Systems, which includes the maintenance of the company web presence and support for company-wide computers, network and Internet access. He has worked at Chanen since December of 1998. He has a long-term background in the construction field — working for electrical contractors in Texas and Arizona, in various capacities since 1975.