CAVU Construction, established in 2017 [2], is a specialized construction and consulting firm that brings military-grade leadership expertise to complex construction projects. Founded and led by retired senior military leaders, the company leverages extensive experience in energy, construction, transportation, and manufacturing industries to deliver superior project execution and consulting services [4].
The company's leadership team combines distinguished military service with extensive private sector experience. At the helm is Dave Burnham, a 1987 Naval Academy graduate and former Strike Fighter Squadron Commander, who previously managed the $1 billion USS John C Stennis renovation project [2]. The executive team includes:
- Haylee Wiseman, Chief Financial Officer
- Pete Turner, Vice President
- Todd Bernashe, Vice President of Operations
- Brandi Geiger, HR Manager, bringing over 20 years of experience across Oil and Gas, Government Contracting, and Insurance sectors [1]
CAVU Construction has established particular expertise in federal construction, with a focus on Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and Department of Defense training facilities. Their core competencies, derived from military operational experience [4], include:
- Complex project management
- Energy sector operations
- Construction oversight
- Transportation logistics
- Manufacturing process optimization
The company's federal project portfolio demonstrates consistent success in delivering mission-critical infrastructure. Notable projects include:
- VA Medical Center Ann Arbor - $1.2M HVAC renovation [4]
- Surface Combat Systems Training Command Mayport FL [5]
- Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center renovations [6]
- John Dingell VA Medical Center upgrades [7]
CAVU's commitment to excellence is reinforced through professional certifications and quality management approaches, including:
- Construction Quality Management (CQM) certification from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- OSHA 30-hour Construction Safety Training certification
- First Aid/CPR certification from American Heart Association [5]
The company's impact extends beyond construction services into community engagement and veteran support. Recent achievements include:
- Recognition with the Hiring Vets Medallion Award 2022 [10]
- Successful fundraising initiatives, including the "Bourbon and Bags" event raising over $50,000 for Detroit area organizations [2]
- Strategic partnership with Roncelli Inc., enhancing project delivery capabilities [7]
In human resources management, CAVU has demonstrated exceptional performance through:
- Maintaining insurance benefit package increases below 5% annually for a 500+ employee organization
- Successfully implementing advanced HRIS and ERP systems [3]
Through their unique combination of military leadership experience and construction expertise, CAVU Construction continues to deliver high-quality results in complex federal construction projects while maintaining strong community engagement and veteran support initiatives.