Brinkman Construction Leads Renovation of Ronald McDonald House in Aurora
Brinkman Construction is currently leading renovation efforts at the Ronald McDonald House in Aurora, supporting the nonprofit’s mission to provide comfort and care to families during medical crises.
“This renovation ensures more families have a safe, supportive place to stay while their child receives medical care. It’s an investment in their comfort, care, and peace of mind,” said Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver CEO Laura Cordes.
Designed by architecture firm Gresham Smith, the renovation will transform more than 10,000 square feet on the first floor of the 45-bedroom facility. Updates include the addition of six new private bedrooms with bathrooms, revamped play areas and updated office and meeting spaces for staff. The renovation is focused on improving functionality while preserving the warm, home-like atmosphere families rely on during their stays.
“We feel very fortunate to support and partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities and their incredible mission of caring for families with children who are ill or injured,” said Brinkman Construction Vice President Eric Kesti.
Construction began in early May and is expected to be completed this fall. The project was thoughtfully designed with the unique needs of families and staff in mind.
“Our design focuses on enhancing daily function while maintaining the warm, comforting environment that families depend on,” said Kevin Pasewalk, Senior Architect at Gresham Smith. “We prioritized flexibility, accessibility and thoughtful updates to support both guests and staff.”
With families and children present daily, the Brinkman Construction team is focusing on safety and sensitivity throughout the construction process. Thoughtful signage, protective measures, and kid-friendly viewing windows have been incorporated to help children safely observe the transformation and feel included in the process.
Julie Constance Joins Brinkman Construction as Business Development Manager
Brinkman Construction has welcomed Julie Constance as its new Business Development Manager for Northern Colorado. With extensive experience in connecting clients and developing partnerships, Constance is well equipped to help Brinkman Construction expand its footprint across the region.
In this newly established role, Constance will lead business development initiatives in Northern Colorado. She is focused on developing strategic partnerships, securing new business, and enhancing brand visibility within the company’s target markets. Her focus on purposeful growth aligns perfectly with Brinkman Construction’s mission and values.
“I’ve always been passionate about building relationships and creating opportunities that help people and businesses grow together,” said Constance. “What drew me to Brinkman Construction was the strong culture and the people behind it. I’m excited to share that story, deepen connections and help expand our presence across Northern Colorado.”
“Julie is a tremendous cultural addition to our team, bringing valuable experience and well-established relationships within the Northern Colorado market,” said Brinkman Construction Vice President Jason Vaughn. “She approaches her work with an all-in attitude and has built her career on being truly relationship focused. We are excited to welcome Julie to the team and are confident she will make a meaningful impact on our growing company.”
Constance most recently led business development efforts at First American Title, where she spent nearly five years building strategic relationships across the region. Prior to that, she served as a Senior Account Executive at BizWest Media for over a decade following an earlier career in sales. She also held leadership roles in the Weld County community, including serving as board chair for both the Weld Community Foundation and The Women's Fund of Weld County. Constance remains active in the community as a current board member for the High Plains Housing Development Corporation. Her contributions have earned her several accolades, including the Women’s Fund of Weld County Champion for Women Award and the Greeley Area Realtors Association Affiliate of the Year.
Brinkman Construction is confident that Constance’s leadership will bring lasting value to the company and to clients across Northern Colorado. Her arrival represents a continued investment in the region’s growth and in building strong, community-focused partnerships.
HR Business Partner Lindsey Miller Graduates from Leadership Fort Collins
HR Business Partner Lindsey Miller recently graduated from Leadership Fort Collins (LFC), a comprehensive program designed to educate and motivate leaders who are dedicated to shaping the future of the community. The program, created by the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, focuses on developing leaders while teaching them about the history, government, economy, social issues, needs, and opportunities in the city. The group met once a month from September of 2024 through may of 2025 for day-long sessions that encouraged collaboration, critical thinking, and active engagement with the community.
Read the Q&A below to learn more about Lindsey’s experience in the program!
Q: What did you enjoy most about participating in Leadership Fort Collins?
A: What I enjoyed most about Leadership Fort Collins was the opportunity to meet and connect with leaders from a wide range of industries and sectors. Over the 9-month period, you form deep relationships with your classmates and steering committee members which I hope to carry forward in my personal and professional life. I liked how each month focused on a different theme like government, social issues, history, etc. so it provides a well-rounded perspective on how our community operates.
Q: How has Leadership Fort Collins influenced your approach to leadership? What specific skills or knowledge do you plan to apply in your career going forward?
A: During Leadership Fort Collins, we continually came back to the theme of “showing up”. With so many leadership styles and approaches, LFC enforced that leadership begins with intentional presence and action. I’ve learned the power of small, incremental changes and collective action. Going forward, I want to focus on listening to needs of the community, finding where my passions and values align, and committing to take action. Even in the smallest of ways, it is impactful and contributing to a larger mission.
Q: What did you learn about the Fort Collins community that you didn’t know before?
A: So many things! I have a new awareness and appreciation for how many people and roles it takes to make our community run effectively every day. I have more respect for service providers who provide support and resources to underrepresented populations. It was also a good reminder of how interconnected every business is in shaping and growing Fort Collins.
Q: Did you have any opportunities to get further involved with the community during this program?
A: As part of Leadership Fort Collins, my project team and I partnered with Neighbor to Neighbor, a local non-profit organization that focuses on providing sustainable housing, support services, and education to prevent and end homelessness. We focused on fundraising and collecting donated items to create welcome baskets filled with essential household items that each new Neighbor to Neighbor resident receives upon moving into their new home. We also led a Community Garden Clean Up Day at a Neighbor to Neighbor property in North Fort Collins, preparing the space for residents to enjoy gardening this summer!