Ed has a passion to help build better churches, not to just build better church buildings. As president of Aspen Group and a founding member of the Cornerstone Knowledge Network (CKN), he has directed research that demonstrates building better churches requires an understanding and clear alignment of these dynamics: Evolving Culture, Relevant Ministry, Empowering Leadership & Intentional Facilities.

This alignment is critical in creating clarity. This is vital not only for effective facility design, but also minimizes ministry "headwind" which is a significant risk for future ministry success.

Explore and participate in developing this alignment by going to Ed’s blog or the CKN website.

Education

• Engineering degree, Purdue University

• President of Aspen Group
• Co-founder of Cornerstone Knowledge Network
• Board member of: Aspen Group, CKN, Indiana Family Institute, SYM Financial, FBi Buildings

• Community Christian Church, Naperville, IL. (5500 weekend attendance)
• Parkview Church, Bolingbrook, IL (4000 weekend attendance)
• College Park Church, Indianapolis, IN (2300 weekend attendance)
• The Vineyard Church, Urbana, IL. (2200 weekend attendance)
• Greenwood Christian, Greenwood, IN (1600 weekend attendance)
• Pastors Roundtable, Atlanta, GA
• Third Place Roundtable, Chicago, IL.
• Indiana Family Institute, Indianapolis, IN.
• SYM Financial, Warsaw, IN

Speaker

• WFX Conferences
• NACBA Conferences
• NACFM Conferences
• Doing Church in the Burbs Conferences
• Cornerstone Conferences
• Aspen Group Pastor's Luncheons
• Jack Miller Construction Network, construction company network
• Fails Management Institute (FMI), construction company consultants

Personal

• Married to Annette since 1979
• Parent of six children
• Chairman of his church's building committee
• Three-term Sunday School Superintendent
• Purdue University campus ministry
• Hobbies: fitness, college sports, blogging

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Brad leads our Chicago District’s team of Business Developers, Project Developers, Architects and Project Management Staff as they work hard to support the mission and ministries of our church, para-church, and non-profit clients. This team of professionals is dedicated to listening carefully to your needs and helping you navigate the complex issues of cost, financing, committee/congregational involvement, preparation and planning, design, approval, contracting and project management. Brad also provides general management leadership for our entire Aspen Team, working closely with Jim Smith and Ed Bahler to support our top-notch people as they work to serve our clients..

Education

• Engineering degree, University of Illinois
• MBA, Northern Illinois University

Experience

• Design engineering, project management, jobsite safety and contract procurement for a Fortune 100 company.
• Joined Aspen Group in 1994 as Design/Build Manager. Since then he has served as Director of Project Development, Director of Business Development, and Vice President of Project Development before being promoted to current role.

Personal

• Chicagoland native
• Lay minister, trustee and building committee member in his local church
• Chairman of his denomination's national Building Advisory Committee

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Jim oversees all Indianapolis-area projects to make sure your building design powerfully connects with your team's passion and vision. He ensures your plans for your project meet not only your standards, qualifications and aesthetic tastes, but also that they meet all local and state code requirements and specifications. Most importantly, he makes sure the facility is designed to enhance your ministry.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Purdue University
• Masters in Civil Engineering, Purdue University

• Registered Professional Engineer (Indiana)
• Licensed Structural Engineer (Illinois)

• 12 years experience with a wide variety of building types.

Personal

• Member of his congregation's church plant implementation team
• Little League baseball and soccer coach
• Young Life International – Youth Ministry

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With many years of experience in the field, Greg is familiar with all phases of construction and strives to be the church's solid link from project planning, to ground breaking, to completion. He first works to obtain an intimate understanding of the mission and vision of the church. He then uses this knowledge to guide the project team as they translate that vision into an effective design and then finished facility.

Experience

• Residential, light commercial and interior build-out experience working with wood, masonry, and steel
• Built custom-designed homes
• Project managed a 96-unit town home development (a $17 million project) in the south Chicago suburbs
• Joined Aspen Group in 1999 as a Field Manager (and oversaw construction of numerous churches) before being promoted to his current position as Project Developer

Personal

• Chicagoland native
• Deacon of his church board
• Worship team member at his local church
• Building committee chairperson

Contact Greg at gsnider@aspengroup.com or call 888-241-9980.

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Steve joined Aspen Group in 2006. Steve brings with him extensive experience in business and ministry. Steve is committed to being a leader in team environments to develop well thought out plans, strategies and goals. He will collaborate with churches to develop and determine direction and well-defined plans that meet the needs of each congregation.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Olivet Nazarene University
• MBA, Olivet Nazarene University
• Nearing completion of Master of Ministry degree with an emphasis in Church Growth and Ministry, Olivet Nazarene University

Experience

• 30-year career at Caterpillar, Inc. holding several executive positions in Management, Marketing, and Engineering

• Served as Executive Pastor of a large church.

Personal

• Chicagoland native
• Church board member
• Connecting Group leader
• Adult Education Class teacher
• Building committee chairperson
• Strategic development member of Chamber of Commerce

Contact Steve at scook@aspengroup.com or call 888-241-9980.

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Kim has been in the design/build industry since the 1970s, working in various roles from Superintendent to head of a construction department, then ultimately to running his own construction company.

When pondering going back to school to become a youth minister, Kim realized that God was preparing him and calling him to work with churches, which he has been doing exclusively since 1996.

His passion is building - visioning, and partnering to make things happen. Kim is excited to have the opportunity to help churches prepare, work, and build new ministry facilities knowing that some people who visit these new buildings end up getting saved!

Education

• B.A. degree in Business Administration from Mount Union College
• Trained as a church health coach

Experience

• Over 30 years design/build experience
• Has helped churches with building issues since 1996

Personal

• Has served as Elder, Deacon, Chairman of the Board, Trustee, Teen Sunday School Teacher and Men's Ministry Leader
• Has been high school wrestling coach, youth baseball and football coach, team photographer, junior/senior high sports announcer
• On the board of Student Impact (a Christian Ministry that works within the schools)

Contact Kim at kcarnes@aspengroup.com or call 888-241-9980.

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Kristin is a committed team player who demonstrates consistent achievements through excellent organizational, communication, and business development skills. With over 10 years of experience developing strong relationships, enhancing service leads, and coaching others in attaining their goals, Kristin's unique blend of professional and volunteer experience is an asset to Aspen and her clients. She truly enjoys building relationships with a high level of loyalty. It is her desire to unselfishly serve the church community.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management, Central Michigan University

• Recruiter for the largest IT staffing firm in the United States
• Recruiter for corporate office and manufacturing operations
• 7 years experience in youth education and activities

Personal

• Serves as Sunday school teacher, Good News Club instructor, and Building Committee member, and is an ambassador for the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce.

Contact Kristin at kruther@aspengroup.com or call 888-241-9980.

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Lynn is committed to using her spiritual gifts at church and at work. To that end, she “jumps right in” when she sees a need and does whatever it takes to provide effective solutions to Aspen clients. In her role at Aspen Group she enjoys learning about the unique needs and visions of the churches she works with and looks for ways that Aspen Group can be of service. Her goal is to be a resource to churches that helps them maximize their ministry potential.

Education

• B.S. in Management, University of Illinois-Springfield
• Masters in Communications, University of Illinois-Springfield

• Worked in medical services sales
• Recruiter for the pharmaceutical industry
• 10 years experience in not-for-profits and industry developing and managing marketing and public relations campaigns

Personal

• Involved in Vacation Bible School, ministry fairs, Discipleship Walks, and helped launch and lead the preschool areas for a new church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Contact Lynn at lnoe@aspengroup.com or call 888-241-9980.

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Sandy has a broad understanding of Christian ministry and a deep commitment to support ministries and build the Kingdom. Her goal is to assist building committees and pastors by providing helpful information at the early exploration stages of a building project.

Sandy is also the Cornerstone Conference Coordinator. Cornerstone Conferences are one day seminars that educate leaders of the church in the areas of building committee formation, preliminary planning, fund raising, financing, master planning, construction delivery processes, and acoustics and lighting aspects for their facility.

Education

• Degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision, Purdue University

• Senior High Youth Director at a large church in West Lafayette, Ind.
• Young Life Area Director in New Castle, Ind.

Contact Sandy at smcnichols@aspengroup.com or call 888-241-9980.

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Scott heads up the design team in the Indianapolis Office working on projects throughout the state of Indiana. From facility programming to schematic designs and construction documents, Scott leads his design team in creating facilities that make optimum use of your organization's dollars per square foot. He feels that architecture must be a collaborative exercise between the owner, the architect, and the builder and excels at leading the project participants to a meaningful and satisfying project completion.

Education

• Bachelor of Architecture, Ball State University

• Licensed Architect (Indiana)
• Licensed Architect (Illinois)
• Licensed Architect (Michigan)

Experience

• 18 years experience in designing church, office, school, library, laboratory, clubs, and residential buildings

Personal

• Member of a men's ministry leadership team for his church congregation
• Member of the Construction Specification Institute
• Member of the American Institute of Architects
• Certified with National Council of Architects Registration Boards (NCARB)

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Mark leads the design team in the Chicago Office working on projects throughout the state of Illinois and northern Indiana. He enjoys the challenges and rewards of each project. The end goal for each project is a customized space that not only performs functionally, but subtly evokes the proper emotions unique to that space. To help you reach that goal, Mark helps you visualize possibilities and transform your dreams into reality.

Education

• Bachelor of Architecture, Ball State University
• Bachelor of Environmental Science, Ball State University
• Reserve Officer's Training Corps
• Army Basic Training
• Army Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses

Registration

• Licensed Architect (Illinois)
• Licensed Architect (Indiana)

Experience

• 12 years experience designing church, office, retail, museum, outpatient medical, day care, and single/multi-family residential buildings

Personal

• Member of his congregation's church worship team
• Girl's softball coach
• Youth Ministry Leader
• Member of the US Army Reserves since 1987
• Member of the American Institute of Architects
• Certified with National Council of Architectural Registration Board (NCARB)
• Member of the International Code Council

Michael enjoys all aspects of designing and master planning. He will guide you through the planning and design process to provide a great design and accurate set of construction documents that will contribute to a successful construction phase and, in the end, result in a beautiful, functional facility where God will be worshiped and praised!

Education

• Bachelor of Architecture, Ball State University
• Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design, Ball State University

Registration

• Licensed Architect (Indiana)
• Licensed Architect (Illinois)

• 18 years experience designing church, office, airport, educational, historic preservation, hotel/motel, industrial, laboratory/medical, multi-family, and retail buildings

Personal

• Active in his church and has served as nursery worker, AWANA helper, Children's Church teacher, Word of Life Youth Leader and as the Deacon responsible for Missions
• Trained as an Evangelism Explosion Trainer
• Member of The Gideon's International
• Member of the American Institute of Architects
• Member of the Construction Specifications Institute
• Certified Construction Specifier
• Certified with National Council of Architectural Regristration Board (NCARB)

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Derek joined Aspen Group in 2007. He has a wide range of graphic talent; from conceptual hand-sketching to skillful, realistic computer renderings and animations.
Derek has a servant heart and a gift of listening intuitively to the needs of the client. This allows him to skillfully design space that is not only functional but deeply meaningful to the spirit of those who will interact with the space.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, University of Illinois - Chicago

Experience

• Has been designing churches, small commercial,and residential buildings since 2003.
• Associate, American Institute of Architects
• Member of Intern Development Program

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With over 30 years of construction experience, Dave has managed projects in several states as well as several countries overseas. His depth of experience allows him to identify potential problems before they occur. He is committed to finding the best possible solutions that satisfy the client.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology

• Over 30 years of experience

Personal

• Deacon at his local church
• Building committee chairperson

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