Leadership

PDG Construction staff has combined experience in land development, construction management, general contracting, and engineering for a wide variety of product, including attached and detached residential, apartments, multi-tenant business parks, office complexes and public facilities. 

• Brian Lessler, President and COO
• Ben Stewart, Director of Construction Services
• Pat Furgason, Controller
  

Brian Lessler, President and COO

Brian’s experience spans 35 years of successful operations in real estate development, and construction management. Brian has developed single family and multifamily master-planned communities and constructed hundreds of custom homes throughout the Portland metro area. While with the Koll Co., he developed and/or managed some of the largest multi-tenant business parks in the region and constructed corporate headquarters for publicly traded companies. As construction manager during the development of Persimmon Country Club Community, Brian oversaw construction of all major components, including golf course, driving range, clubhouse with commercial kitchen, swim and tennis center and event center.

A native Oregonian, Brian received a BA in Business Administration from the University of Oregon, with emphasis in real estate and finance. Community and family are most important to Brian and he has demonstrated ongoing willingness to provide leadership in many arenas. Actively involved in the community, he serves on the City of Gresham's Development Advisory Board and as a key communicator for Gresham Barlow School District. Brian has served two terms as an Executive Board member of the Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Mt. Hood Medical Center Foundation, and three years as Scholarship Chairman for Gresham Rotary Club. He is a current board member and president of the East Metro Economic Alliance and represents the City of Gresham on the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

Ben Stewart, P.E., Director of Construction Services

Ben Stewart is a civil engineer with vast experience in public and private projects. He has more than 20 years experience in residential and commercial design and construction. He was project engineer for the Portland International Airport $140 million Terminal Access Project, a monumental remodel and expansion project which spanned 5 years of design and construction. Ben has also designed and managed numerous multi-family, commercial office buildings, and residential subdivision projects.

He serves as Director of Construction Services for PDG, with responsibilities for project management from concept through completion. Ben works with government jurisdictions, designers, consultants, neighborhood groups and trade contractors to develop and implement our largest projects. He possesses excellent interpersonal skills and has the ability to work well with all levels of an organization. His well-developed organizational, project management, trouble-shooting and problem-solving abilities give him the ability to manage projects at every stage of development.

Pat Furgason, Controller

Pat Furgason is the Accountant for all of the Persimmon Companies, including PDG Construction Services.  She holds a BS in Business Administration, emphasis in Accounting, from the University of Arizona.  Pat has nearly 30 years of practical accounting experience, with more than 15 years experience in the real estate investment, development and construction industries.  She serves as an officer of Persimmon Development Group with responsibilities for all aspects of accounting, systems and staffing.

Pat works with bankers, lenders and owners to establish and maintain positive working relationships.  She possesses good interpersonal skills and works well with all levels of an organization. Her strong management, organizational, and problem-solving skills along with her many years of relevant work experience provide the company with exceptional internal accounting strength, with the assurance of accurate records and timely reporting.