
Get to Know Our
Leadership Team
At Leopardo, leadership means more than titles—
it’s about responsibility, vision, and building others up. Our leaders are deeply engaged in the work, the culture, and the future of our industry. They bring decades of experience, a commitment to collaboration, and a passion for shaping what’s next, including people.

We believe great leadership includes mentorship. That’s why we invest in growing talent from within—sharing knowledge, creating opportunities, and helping the next generation of builders and thinkers thrive.
Our SENIOR LeadersHIP Team
Giancarlo Pacini
Giancarlo Pacini brings more than 25 years of industry experience to Leopardo Construction and currently serves as CEO and President of the organization. His career at Leopardo began with a summer internship, and over the years he has advanced through his leadership roles – developing a comprehensive understanding of the business. Today he leads the entire company with a clear, forward-thinking vision focused on growth, innovation, and delivering exceptional results for clients across the country.
As CEO and President, Giancarlo sets the strategic direction for the company and champions a culture of collaboration, excellence and continuous growth. His deep industry knowledge and unwavering commitment to clients ensures that Leopardo remains a trusted partner delivering long-term value and innovative solutions.
With experience spanning a wide range of markets, project types and delivery methods, Giancarlo brings a practical and informed perspective to executive decision-making. Under his leadership, Leopardo continues to expand into new markets and emerging sectors while staying true to the core values that have defined the company for nearly five decades.
A graduate of Purdue University with a degree in building construction management, Giancarlo’s strategic vision, operational expertise and passion for construction continue to drive Leopardo’s success in an ever-evolving industry.
Todd Welch
With over two decades of accounting experience at Leopardo Construction, Todd Welch serves as the firm’s Chief Financial Officer. He oversees all financial operations and plays a key role in shaping their strategic direction and long-term growth.
Todd has helped guide Leopardo through a period of unprecedented financial growth, while leading a full-scale modernization of their business systems. His leadership has been essential to the implementation of new Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Compliance Management System (CMS), and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms, which have transformed efficiency, connectivity, and data-driven decision-making across the organization.
As part of a broader overhaul of operational technology and processes, Todd has helped define procedures and workflows from the earliest stages of client pursuit through project closeout. He partnered with IT to create reporting tools for every department, giving teams greater visibility into performance metrics and helping guide smarter business decisions.
In addition, Todd introduced key programs including a corporate card platform, fleet management system, and payment rebate initiatives that streamline operations and improve profitability. He works closely with Leopardo’s CEO and COO to align its financial strategy with long-term goals and actively mentors to build future leadership.
A member of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA), Todd has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a Masters of Business Administration from Concordia University Chicago.
Steve Smith
As executive vice president, Steve is responsible for the operations and strategic oversight of Leopardo’s various markets. In addition, Steve has executive oversight of Leopardo’s Florida and Ohio offices and its National Growth Platform. Prior to stepping into the role of EVP, Steve oversaw business development, strategy, and operations for Leopardo’s Hospitality, Retail, Manufacturing, Science, and Technology markets.
He has personally overseen construction projects totaling more than $1 billion across nearly all major markets, including countless Fortune 500 firms and many of the world’s most-recognized brands like AMC, Amazon, Apple, Audi, Bank of America, CVS, Hilton, Hyatt, Harley-Davidson, Lexus, Marriott, Ruth’s Chris, Trader Joe’s, Walgreens and more.
Steve’s construction career began as a Leopardo intern in 1987, as the company entered a period of strategic growth. The following three decades saw revenue soar from $5 million to over $500 million. Steve was an integral part of developing and executing the growth strategy along with the executive leadership team.
Today, clients continue to uncover tremendous value with Steve on board. With an impressive portfolio of construction experience, including estimating and project management, he brings a plethora of cost-management tactics to every job. During the estimating and preconstruction stages, he often plays the role of an economist, counseling clients on price escalations, material demands, supply shortages, life-cycle costs, efficiencies, environmental impact, and alternative methods of construction delivery. His goal is always to save the client time and money, which can be put back in their pockets or added to the scope of the project. His sophisticated economic approach has proven invaluable to retailers during rollout programs, where success depends on thousands of variables.
Steve is a member of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP), International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), and holds a General Contractors License in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arizona.
Leigh McMillen
As Executive Vice President of Operations, Leigh leads Leopardo’s project execution strategy across the organization—overseeing field operations, quality, risk management, technology, sustainability and virtual building services. She is responsible for ensuring consistency, accountability, and performance at every stage of delivery, bringing a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to every project regardless of size or scope.
Leigh is also at the forefront of Leopardo’s technology transformation, driving the adoption of integrated systems and data-driven processes that enhance visibility, streamline operations, and position the company for scalable growth. Her leadership bridges strategy and execution—ensuring that innovation translates into real-world results on every jobsite.
With more than three decades in the construction industry, Leigh brings deep technical expertise and operational insight to her role. She has led some of Leopardo’s most complex and high-profile projects, earning a reputation for precision, accountability, and the ability to consistently deliver at a high level.
Ralph Barszcz
With nearly two decades of experience in the construction industry, Ralph Barszcz is the Senior Vice President of Field Operations at Leopardo, where he oversees all field operations to ensure the safe, efficient, and high-quality delivery of projects across diverse markets. Since joining Leopardo ten years ago, Ralph has been instrumental in transforming the company’s safety program – achieving industry-leading Experience Modification Rates (EMRs) and advancing Leopardo’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
A recognized expert in safety and risk management, Ralph is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Construction Safety and Health Technician (CHST), and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS). He is also an authorized trainer for OSHA construction courses and American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and AED courses. Ralph’s dedication to safety and industry best practices is evident in his active participation with the Construction Safety Association, Build Safe Chicago, and his role on the Safety Committee for the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors.
Ralph’s leadership is integral to the execution of numerous high-profile projects across various markets. His portfolio includes the 103,000-SF Midwest Orthopedics at Rush ambulatory surgery center in Oak Brook, Illinois, and the 50,000-SF expansion of Covenant Living at Windsor Park in Carol Stream. He has also overseen the development of key outpatient care centers, including the 70,772-SF Northwest Community Healthcare facility in Buffalo Grove and a 50,000-SF medical office building in Kildeer, both designed to provide comprehensive medical services. Additionally, Ralph contributed to the renovation of a community pool and aquatic center for Kankakee Park District to bring life back to the Splash Valley Aquatic Center Park.
Ralph holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a Master’s in Engineering from North Carolina State University.
Mike Mastin
Mike is a highly accomplished construction executive with three decades of industry experience and more than three million square feet of completed projects. As Senior Vice President at Leopardo Construction, he leads the company’s multifamily residential and affordable housing markets, specializing in new construction, adaptive reuse, and complex renovations.
Since joining Leopardo in 2005, Mike has overseen some of its most high-profile developments, including the Sheffield Apartments, Ravenswood Senior Living, Encuentro Square, and the 564,000-square- foot Bell Apartments in Cleveland. His broader portfolio includes major healthcare, commercial, and educational projects such as Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, Universal Technical Institute, and Arthur J. Gallagher headquarters.
Mike is widely respected in the industry for his collaborative approach and hands-on leadership style. He is passionate about building strong teams, cultivating lasting client relationships, and delivering projects that exceed expectations. His ability to manage complex developments has helped shape communities and deliver high-quality, innovative projects across the region.
His expertise spans LEED-certified projects, large-scale site developments, multi-story ground-up construction, sophisticated public exhibits, and complex medical buildouts. A licensed professional engineer, Mike holds an MBA from DePaul University and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Dave Rutledge
Dave joined Leopardo in 2009 as a project engineer before rising to project executive in 2018, vice president in 2021, and subsequently to senior vice president in 2024. During his career with the company, Dave has completed millions of square feet of construction and has played a key role in expanding Leopardo’s client relationships within the healthcare and senior living markets.
Over the course of his career, Dave has meticulously managed some of the most complex healthcare and hospital construction projects in the area. Some of the most notable projects on his resume include the 130,000-square-foot Rush University Medical Center in-hospital renovation in Chicago, the 55,000-square-foot and 50,000-square-foot new medical office buildings for Duly Health and Care in Bloomingdale and Westmont, Illinois, the 70,772-square-foot and 50,000-square-foot new outpatient care centers for Northwest Community Healthcare in Buffalo Grove and Kildeer, Illinois, as well as the Upshot Medical Center at Mills Park (Orlando, FL), a 72,000-SF, five-story north tower– one of the only Class A, LEED-designed medical office projects of this size in the country.
Dave holds a Master of Architecture Degree from the University of Illinois, as well as a Bachelor’s in Architectural Studies. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional of Building Design + Construction.
Holly Rudnick
As Senior Vice President of People and Culture at Leopardo Construction, Holly utilizes her 23 years of experience driving organizational growth through aligning people strategies with business goals. She plays a pivotal role in shaping Leopardo’s culture and leading talent development initiatives, with a strong emphasis on employee engagement and organizational effectiveness.
Her diverse background across healthcare, construction, retail, and manufacturing provides her with a well-rounded perspective on cultivating purpose-driven, high-impact workplace cultures. Holly’s expertise in talent development and HR strategy strengthens Leopardo’s commitment to recognizing people as its most valuable asset.
Prior to joining Leopardo, Holly held senior leadership roles in both corporate and operational environments, where she consistently focused on building high-performing, people-centered cultures that enable long-term business success.
Holly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and Psychology from Kendall College and has earned professional certifications in human resources from both the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
Jessica Sherwood
Jessica joined Leopardo in 2016 and has been instrumental in driving the company’s national expansion and long-term growth strategy. Through a relentless focus on relationships and strategic partnerships, she has helped secure a diverse portfolio of high-profile clients and opportunities across multiple markets.
As Senior Vice President of Growth, Jessica leads Leopardo’s national business development efforts, overseeing pipeline strategy, market expansion, and client engagement initiatives. She is responsible for building and developing a high-performing team, fostering a culture rooted in accountability, collaboration, and results. Under her leadership, growth is not only measured by revenue, but by the strength and longevity of client relationships.
Jessica holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies from San Diego State University, where she earned a four-year, full-ride scholarship for women’s soccer. She is an active industry leader, serving on the board of the Healthcare Engineers Society of Northern Illinois (HESNI) as Networking Chair and as Events Chair for the Magnificent Mile Association. Jessica is also a founding member of SheBuilds, an organization dedicated to connecting and elevating women in real estate across Illinois and Wisconsin.
Euisang Lee
Euisang Lee brings over 20 years of expertise in preconstruction, architectural engineering, and construction management to his role as Vice President of Preconstruction at Leopardo Construction. With a strong foundation in both Civil Engineering and Architecture, his broad perspective bridges the gap between design and execution. His expertise in project planning, cost estimation, and value engineering ensures seamless transition from concept to completion, delivering innovative, cost-effective solutions while maintaining the highest quality and sustainability standards.
Throughout his career, Euisang has led preconstruction efforts on a wide range of projects including luxury residential, state-of-the-art healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and commercial developments. Notable projects in his portfolio include the 24-story luxury condominium tower at 4 E. Elm Street in Chicago, 100,000-SF renovation of Rush University Medical Center’s Atrium Building, the Hanover Park Police Headquarters, and the 46,520 Encuentro Square affordable housing development in Chicago. His leadership has played an essential role in the successful completion of numerous high-profile developments, guiding projects through the early stages while driving efficiency and excellence across all phases of construction.
Euisang is a Registered Architect in Illinois and a LEED Accredited Professional. He holds two advanced degrees – a Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Civil Engineering, both from the University of Illinois.
Eric Dey
Seth Erlich
Ryan Haase
Ted Jarosh
Joshua McCollom
Joe Oetter
Pete Oldendorf
Paul Rentzelos
Jeff Sauline
Jeff Seidelmann
Sean Twomey
Jim Leopardo
Our BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Team
Paola Sprenzel
Mallory Barnes
Colm Hughes
Kori Jesenovec
Kaylee Knorr
Bobby Savino
Sal Sciortino
Let’s Get It Done.
Whether you’re planning, building, or ready to break ground—we’re here to make it happen. No delays. No excuses. Just straightforward, high-quality work that gets results.
