MEET THE TEAM
DAVID FETTNER
Principle
David has been one of Chicago’s premier general contractors for over two decades. As a third-generation builder, David’s expertise in retail, industrial and commercial construction provided a seamless transition to the cannabis construction industry.
David’s versatility in construction is vast and unlimited, but what sets David apart is his legal experience in real estate and zoning law, which gives his clients an advantage when navigating through the numerous zoning, building and compliance codes that regulate cannabis construction.
MIKE KAULENTIS
Principle
Mike brings decades of experience in concept, design, and branding. As the principal of numerous successful restaurants and bar concepts, Mike not only developed the concept, but he designed them to completion, creating long lasting brands in and around Chicago.
He took those tools and brought them to the cannabis industry which was lacking in both design creativity and concept. He utilizes his tools which he calls ‘DCCB’: Design, Concept, Construction, Brand. He creates the Concept, Designs the ideas and Builds them for a long lasting Brand.
Elliot An
Vice President of Construction
Elliot is the Vice President of Construction with Grow America Builders. He’s been in the real estate and construction industry for over 20 years. Prior to Grow America, Elliot headed up real estate and construction for Acreage Holdings, one of the largest multi-state operators (MSOs) in the United States. Elliot’s responsibilities included everything from procuring the real estate to managing the full buildout of Acreage’s cultivation facilities, medical and recreational dispensaries, extraction labs and infused kitchen and beverage facilities.
Before entering the cannabis market, Elliot was the Senior Director of Real Estate and Construction at Blue Apron, overseeing the buildout of over 1 million square feet of construction from GMP Certified food fulfillment centers, Class A office fit-outs, test kitchens and photo/film studios.
The bulk of Elliot’s career was at the Related Companies, one of the largest and most prestigious real estate development and management companies in the country. Elliot spent 9 years at Related working on luxury high-rise residential buildings and most notably Hudson Yards, which is the largest private development in U.S. history.
MATT ACOMB
Lead Project Manager
Matt is the lead Project Manager with Grow America. He has worked on numerous cannabis cultivation facilities, dispensaries, extraction labs and THC infused beverage facilities. Prior to starting with GAB, Matt was an Owner’s Representative performing many different roles from project lead to assisting in minor administrative tasks on a variety of construction projects.
Matt has extensive cannabis experience, some notable projects include working as project lead for a $12.5Million, 35,000SF grow facility expansion project in NY, including the increase of growing canopy, drying capacity, and increased administrative support spaces. Project lead on a $36 Million, 80,000sf grow facility renovation project in Illinois. Owner Project manager for the preconstruction phase of an estimated $40M dollar 85,000SF two-tier cultivation facility. Provided project assistance and later took over as project lead on a $4.5 Million, 30,000sf grow facility renovation project. The buildout consisted of new cultivation spaces, dry space, processing equipment, and all operational Space. And preconstruction project manager of an estimated $40M dollar 80,000SF two-tier cultivation facility, and an approximate $25M dollar 65,000SF two-tier cultivation facility located on the same site in NJ.
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