Building Communities That Last: A Conversation With Liberty's Construction Team
For 25 years, Liberty Military Housing's Construction team has helped shape the communities our military families call home. Through renovations, capital improvements, new construction, and long-term planning, their work has strengthened our communities while preparing them for the future.
Every project reflects the knowledge, care, and commitment of the people behind it. Many team members have spent decades helping Liberty grow, sharing their expertise, mentoring others, and preserving the culture and values that define our organization.
As we celebrate Liberty's 25th anniversary, we're recognizing the Construction team members whose dedication and craftsmanship have helped build our communities and support military families for generations. In the following Q&A, they share their experiences, insights, and the impact of their work over the past 25 years.
Is there a favorite memory, milestone, or standout story from your time here that still makes an impact on you today?
"There are so many memories and stories, but I think the ribbon cutting in 2005 for the very first new Wire Mountain units at Camp Pendleton sticks out. The Marine Corps housing at the beginning of the privatization effort was in the worst condition I had seen to date. Wire Mountain in particular was referred to as "the slum" by the Marines that lived there prior to privatization. It was tremendously satisfying to tear it down and build all new homes. Seeing the emotion and excitement in a young sergeant and his family's eyes as they cut the ribbon and walked into their new home has stuck with me all these years. It is why we do what we do. Our military families deserve to live in a nice home that meets their needs, and they deserve the exemplary service Liberty provides. It is an honor to help provide that for them." Kevin M. Clarke, Senior Vice President of Construction & Environmental Services
You've helped shape a significant part of Liberty's history. Looking back, what are some of the biggest changes you've seen over the years?
"Two things come to mind. When we transitioned from Lincoln to Liberty, that was a drastic improvement. What Philip, the Senior Seven, and the board are doing by investing in our people is the route to the best future for our company. Between the ESOP and our success factors (ADO, employee retention, and our metrics), our team members are the key to success in everything. If we don't have their buy-in, we won't achieve our goals, and our success will be limited. The biggest change for the construction team is our mindset. Through the various transitions, we've focused on shifting our mindset over the last three years from 'keep doing what we do well' to unity, collaboration, and a shared sense that we are invested in each other and Liberty." Dane Baker, Director of Construction
Can you share a project or moment that best reflects Liberty's commitment to serving military families?
"While building our Camp Lejeune neighborhood and adjacent new elementary school in April of 2011, a tornado touched down a few miles away on base. There was devastating damage to the existing elementary school and some homes. The school we were building was not scheduled to be completed until 2012, but due to the damage to the existing school, our government partner asked if we could accelerate our schedule to complete it by September for the new school year. We agreed and after four long months of working weekends and holidays into Labor Day we were able to open Heroes Elementary School in September for our military families." Danny Hawkins, Regional Vice President of Construction
What advice would you give to future construction team members?
"Take the time to build relationships, ask questions, and learn from experienced people around you. Liberty is full of talented and knowledgeable team members who genuinely want to help others succeed. Stay focused on our residents, remain open to new challenges, and remember that collaboration is one of our greatest strengths. If you approach your work with integrity, accountability, and a willingness to learn, you'll find many opportunities to grow and make a meaningful impact." Randall Heydinger, Construction Manager
Can you share a memorable project, milestone, or experience that stands out from your time at Liberty?
One of the most influential experiences of my career was having the opportunity to work directly with Kevin Clarke for many years. Walking projects with Kevin and learning from his knowledge, vision, and leadership helped shape the way I approach construction today.
The lesson that has stayed with me most is simple: do what's right for the families who will live in our homes. Even when the right decision comes with a higher upfront cost, we have a responsibility to deliver a quality product that will serve residents well for years to come. Many of the standards and expectations we helped develop together have since become part of the foundation for projects across Liberty, and I'm proud of the impact that work continues to have today.
Brian Brager, Senior Construction Manager
How do you see your work supporting military families and Liberty's Mission?
Supporting military families is at the core of everything we do and directly ties to Liberty’s Mission. We’re all a small part of something much larger than ourselves, and it’s rewarding to know that our work helps provide quality homes and communities for service members and their families. Being able to make even a small contribution to such an important Mission gives our work a real sense of purpose and meaning every day.
Mynor Schult, Construction Manager
How have you seen the construction team evolve over the years?
The team has grown significantly as well as the funding to accomplish more projects, improving the quality of the neighborhoods. Kevin and Dane have raised the standard of work quality and communication to support the district teams in accomplishing our common goals here at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM).
Sky Wilkie, Assistant Construction Manager
How have you grown professionally since joining the company?
My previous job required 80 hours of training and personal development per year...I thought that was a lot until I joined the company. Liberty Military Housing really INVESTS in the owners by creating an environment where the training is more than just clicking blindly through power point slides. For me, it feels like the company really cares about developing us not only as employee-owners, but even more so as people.
Mickey Garcia, Senior Construction Manager
What have you enjoyed most about your experience at Liberty Military Housing so far?
I have truly enjoyed being part of a team that places such a strong emphasis on the well-being and success of its employees. Liberty’s commitment to wellness, work/life balance, and inclusivity is more than just a philosophy; it is reflected in the company’s culture and everyday actions. It is rewarding to work for an organization where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to do their best work, creating an environment that encourages both personal and professional growth.
Andre Pollard, Construction Manager
What has surprised you most about Liberty's culture or work environment?
How much they invest in their employee-owners. It's more than the benefits of a 401k and health insurance. Liberty goes the extra mile by investing in our physical and mental health. Things like Wellhub, the ESOP, and fun events contribute to a truly one-of-a-kind work environment.
Florencio Suarez, Construction Coordinator
What do you enjoy most about your role today?
What I enjoy the most in my role today is the accountability and trust to follow through on projects, the responsibility given to me to see the value in what we do and support our overall goal which is the preservation of our homes, communities and fellow employee-owners.
Daniel Jumalon, Construction Manager
What has been the most rewarding part of your Liberty journey?
The most rewarding part of my career is that, after 19 years, I still enjoy what I do. Throughout my time here, I have had several opportunities to take on additional responsibilities, which has allowed me to grow in my role. My tenure has also enabled me to continue working in the areas where I am strongest and can contribute the most.
Dyan Epps, Assistant Construction Manager
Is there a project, accomplishment, or challenge that you're especially proud of?
I'm particularly proud of the projects where our team has successfully navigated significant challenges while maintaining focus on resident experience and project goals. Construction projects rarely go exactly as planned, and some of our greatest accomplishments have come from adapting to changing conditions, collaborating across departments, and finding solutions that keep projects moving forward. More than any single project, I'm proud of the teams I've helped develop, and the culture of accountability, partnership, and continuous improvement we've built together.
Benjamin Cronin, Senior Construction Manager
What motivates you to continue giving your best each day?
What motivates me to continue giving my best each day is knowing that I am someone my team can rely on. I take pride in staying organized, completing tasks efficiently, and maintaining a strong sense of accountability. Seeing progress, checking off key priorities, and accomplishing goals provides a sense of fulfillment and motivates me to consistently perform at a high level.
Patriece Flores, Construction Coordinator
What does employee ownership mean to you?
What an incredible opportunity for us as an employee-owners to be the best you can be, whether it be an interaction with a resident, or a chance to help and train a new employee, engage with our military partners, or pick up some trash while you're walking the property.
Dale Einert, Assistant Construction Manager
Being 100% vested, what inspires you to show up and keep going each day at Liberty?
I like making a difference in people’s lives. The fact that myself, a civilian, can feel like I am making a difference in the way our military families are feeling. If we can make our communities look great, then our families can feel great and want to live here.
Michael Coney Jr., Assistant Construction Manager
As Liberty celebrates 25 years, what excites you most about the future?
For the next 25 years, I hope Liberty continues to grow, innovate, and positively impact the lives of military families while maintaining the culture and values that make this such a great place to work. I'm excited about Liberty's continued growth and the opportunity to expand into new military installations and other property management ventures. I hope we can continue bringing the unparalleled service and commitment that defines Liberty to even more families across the country.
Shannyn Alcantara, Senior Construction Manager