Co-Founder, CEO

B.S. Civil Engineering - University of Texas at El Paso - 2011

Registered Professional Engineer - State of Texas

With over eighteen years of experience in the commercial construction industry, Michael leads Gracen with the confidence of understanding all aspects of the business from project procurement through final completion. Michael has undergone extensive estimating training throughout his career where he acquired the special skillsets required of a veteran estimator in the industry. Michael holds a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.

He has participated in major roles on various complex construction projects for top-tier clients such as the US Army Corps of Engineers. The most significant of these was the very high profile $1 billion medical reconstruction of the William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Ft. Bliss, Texas, where he worked as a contract employee representing USACE for three years.

Other significant federal projects throughout his career include the Fort Bliss Job Order Contract, Fort Bliss Paving IDIQ, Water Booster Pump Station/Storage Tanks, and multiple heavy horizontal and site development construction projects during the Ft. Bliss BRAC Expansion at Biggs Army Airfield, which totaled more than $100 million combined. Additionally, Michael has successfully completed construction projects for Fort Bliss MICC, El Paso Community College, Ysleta ISD, the City of El Paso, local business owners, and more.

Co-Founder, President

B.B.A. International Business - St. Edward’s University - 2013

M.A. International Business - Concordia University - 2015

Having grown up around the construction industry, Ben's earliest memories involve working as a laborer during school breaks on projects for UTEP, the City of El Paso, and EPISD. These experiences granted him insights into the intricacies of running a business, from hands-on labor to executive decision-making alongside his father and grandfather. Following his graduation from Coronado High School, Ben pursued a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. He continued his academic journey with a Master’s in International Business from Concordia University, Irvine, where he also taught at the business school of Zhejiang University in Shanghai, China.

Ben began his professional career in Austin's vibrant startup and high-tech scene, where he played integral roles in scaling and bolstering the success of various start-up’s, including one that achieved a significant nine-figure acquisition. As a certified ERP Solution Consultant for Oracle NetSuite, Ben navigated the complexities of consulting with Mid-Market to Enterprise level companies nationwide, steering them towards streamlined processes and heightened efficiencies through the strategic deployment of Oracle solutions.

Now, as Co-Founder and President of Gracen Engineering & Construction, Ben draws upon his diverse background and expertise to oversee the company's finance and accounting functions. His unwavering dedication to growth and excellence serves as the cornerstone of Gracen Engineering & Construction's ongoing success.

Advisor - Operations/Estimating

B.S. Civil Engineering - Rice University - 1981

Steve’s qualifications are unique in that he was the president of a regional general contracting company for fifteen years. He helped to create the company and had a major part in making it grow from under two million dollars of revenue and two employees the first year to over fifty million dollars in revenue and over sixty key employees. He has a complete understanding of the construction industry from administration to estimating and business development to large project management. His experience has also made him very familiar with all types of clients and their varying project delivery method requirements.

For the last seventeen years Steve has been involved as a construction management consultant working with developers, general contractors and other entities within the construction industry. With his broad range of experience, he offers technical expertise on construction, as well as guidance on deal structuring and contract writing.

Estimator/Project Engineer

B.S. Civil Enginering - University of Texas at El Paso - 2022

Superintendent

20+ years of construction experience

Project Engineer

B.S. Civil Engineering - University of Texas at El Paso - 2022

Site Safety Health Officer (SSHO)