Chicago

LCI Community of Practice

Chicago, IL

Welcome to the LCI Chicago Community of Practice (CoP) website! The LCI Chicago CoP hopes to continue to act as the premier forum where area Lean thought leaders, practitioners and enthusiasts openly share experiences, best practices and lessons learned; thus transforming the design and construction projects that are delivered throughout Chicago and the Midwest. LCI Chicago CoP core members strive to be the force that leads the design and construction industry to a new paradigm of high-performance collaboration. If you are looking for a more active role in the Chicago CoP, have questions or suggestions, please contact us!

CoP Highlights

Bob Krier Award Night

Each year, the Chicago CoP recognizes an Individual, a Company or a Project Team that has moved the design and construction industry forward by advancing Lean as an Operating System at our annual Bob Krier Award Night. The award is based on implementation of Lean design, construction tools and techniques, innovation in implementing Lean tools and its impact on the community. We are excited to announce the opening of the nomination process for our 2023 award! View the Bob Krier Award Selection Criteria and Award Process and submit your nomination today! Save the date and watch your inbox for the details of this incredible event being planned for April 26, 2023.

Lean Construction Golf Outing

The LCI Chicago CoP Lean Construction Golf Outing to benefit the Bob Krier Scholarship was held on June 20, 2022. Foursomes included representatives from each of the four disciplines: Owner, Architect/Engineer, General Contractor, and Trade Partner. A special set of Lean Rules and Awards made this golf outing truly unique!

Check back for details about the 2023 event or sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates.

LCI Chicago Student CoP

The LCI Chicago Student Community of Practice is the mainstay for student organizations at Northwestern University, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Illinois State University, Bradley University, and Purdue University (in partnership with the LCI Central Indiana CoP) interested in the implementation and advancement of Lean in the greater Chicagoland area. The LCI Chicago CoP is focused on providing our Student Community of Practice with valuable learning, event, and networking opportunities to introduce students to Lean design and construction principles and to prepare students to become leaders in the industry.

Scholarship Opportunities

2022 Bob Krier and Tim Vander Molen Scholarship: This year, our Chicago CoP is pleased to announce that we will be awarding three (3) scholarships for higher education Design & Construction discipline students enrolled full-time in trade school, community college or university degree programs in Illinois or Indiana. Learn more about scholarship criteria and download the application HERE. Stay tuned for 2023 scholarship application information.

Student CoP Partners

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Leader Contact: Antoine Menassa

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Leader Contact: Edwin Fernandez

Illinois Institute of Technology

Leader Contact: Steve Nargang

Illinois Institute of Technology

Leader Contact: Hannah Lux

Illinois State University

Leader Contact: Jason Love

Northwestern University

Leader Contact: Ratna Kunwar

Bradley University

Leader Contact: Ryan Woosley

Purdue University (in partnership with Central Indiana CoP)

Leader Contact: Alex Vermillion

Save the Date!

Mark your calendar for our upcoming Lean Coffee and Lean Tools in Real Life events in 2023! Event invitations will be sent four weeks ahead of the event. Once they are on the calendar you can view them on the Upcoming Local Events section below.

9/19 - 4:00 - 5:30 PM - Lean Tools in Real Life: Pull Planning (15m) - Virtual
10/17 - 7:30 - 9:00 AM - Lean Coffee - Jamerson & Bauwens
11/30 - Lean Tools in Real Life: 8 Wastes (15m) - Virtual
12/21 - Lean Coffee - Virtual

Core Members

Chicago CoP

2023 - 2024

Leader - Anthony Camasta, The Hill Group
Vice Leader - Jenny Han, The Boldt Company
Events Leader - Impact events - Christin Araullo, Vader National Group
Lean Coffee Leader - Brian Garcea, RG Construction
Academics Leader - Ratna Kunwar, Gilbane
Lean Learning Events Leader - Emerson Dority, Gilbane
Lean Learning Events Vice Leader - Brad Wigh, The Boldt Company
Finance / Sponsorship Leader - Ken Bauwens, Jamerson & Bauwens Electrical Contractors, Inc.
Finance / Sponsorship Vice Leader - Christine Strom, Northwestern
Marquee Event Leader - Seah Hill, Glass Solutions, Inc.
Marquee Event Vice Leader - Mark Lomeda, Bulley & Andrews, LLC
Leader Emeritus - John Zachara, Integhrated Facilities Solutions, Inc.

Annual Sponsors

The Chicago CoP would like to thank our 2023 sustaining sponsors whose contribution help fund local events and workshops to promote awareness and adoption of Lean. If you are interested in sponsoring the LCI Chicago CoP, learn more about our sponsorship program HERE!