Skender Strengthens Mission Critical Expertise with the Addition of Andrew Lehrer as Project Executive

Skender, a full-service construction firm, today announced the hiring of Andrew Lehrer as Project Executive in its growing Mission Critical group. A distinguished engineering leader with more than 20 years of experience in critical and resilient infrastructure, Lehrer brings deep expertise in high-performance, always-on facilities, advanced laboratory environments, critical operations hubs, high-rise mixed-use and corporate headquarters projects.

Lehrer joins Skender following noteworthy leadership roles at Environmental Systems Design, Inc. (ESD) and Cannon Design, where he led large, diverse teams of engineers and oversaw complex, large-scale projects across the life sciences, high-tech, and mission-critical sectors. He created ESD’s life sciences business unit – leading the design of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and technology engineering for a series of complex, infrastructure-heavy, resilient assets.

A licensed professional engineer in Illinois and California, Lehrer has designed and implemented cutting-edge solutions for some of the industry’s most demanding environments. His expertise in liquid cooling infrastructure—essential for AI-centric data centers—positions Skender as a leader in next-generation digital facilities.

Lehrer has worked closely with Skender for more than two decades. His deep relationships within the team and shared approach to collaborative problem-solving made joining Skender a natural next step.

“Skender’s approach to mission-critical projects aligns perfectly with my own philosophy—prioritizing collaboration, risk mitigation, and speed to market while balancing performance with cost efficiency,” Lehrer said. “I couldn’t pass up the chance to help build a new and innovative team in this market.”

“Andrew brings the engineer’s mindset with a high level of focus on risk mitigation, along with a deep respect for cost and speed of everything,” said Andy Halik, Senior Vice President, Skender. “His unique perspective can help Skender clients achieve tangible benefits through the preconstruction and construction process.”

Lehrer is an advisor, mentor, and industry thought leader, serving as a Washington University in St. Louis MEMS advisory board member, ASHRAE member, and former executive board member of ACE Mentor Chicago. His client portfolio also includes work with the Obama Presidential Center, Chicago Public Schools, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.