Frank Venegas

Frank Venegas, a Detroit Michigan entrepreneur and the grandson of Mexican immigrants, capitalized a winning raffle ticket and the proceeds of a new 1979 Cadillac to launch his first company in 1979. Today, the Ideal Group, a family-owned company, has evolved into eight nationally recognized companies with annual revenues approaching $350 million, employing approximately 550 people. Over the years, family members Loren (brother), Linzie (daughter), and Jesse (son) joined the Ideal Leadership team as owners.

Based on the Venegas family core values, Ideal companies continually meet and exceed customer needs in construction, facilities management, manufacturing, indirect material management and surplus sales. Acknowledging Ideal’s high standards in safety, quality, performance and community engagement, General Motors awarded Ideal 13 coveted GM Global Supplier of the Year Awards.

Known for their philanthropic work in Southwest Detroit, Ideal Group and Frank Venegas focus their efforts on four fundamental pillars: Education, Environmental, Community Sustainability, and Youth Programs. The government of Mexico recognized Frank Venegas with its Ohtli Award, its highest award to a foreign citizen, a tribute to Ideal’s corporate advocacy, mentoring and philanthropic contributions to community schools and organizations that provide pathways to educational and job opportunities illustrating the Venegas family value, “Take care of your community and your community will take care of you.”

Loren Venegas

Loren has more than 20 years of experience in the commercial and industrial construction industries. He has project experience in automotive manufacturing, automotive supplier and the institutional sector. In addition, Loren has worked in educational, office, retail and various municipal sectors of the construction industry.

Loren Venegas began his employment with The Ideal Group companies in 1994. Later in 2002, Loren Venegas was appointed President of Ideal Contracting, LLC and The Ideal Group. Ideal Contracting has grown to be one of the largest General Contractors in Michigan, receiving local and national recognition for its service, safety, quality, and innovative construction techniques.

As CEO, Loren’s primary responsibility is to oversee the general operation of Ideal Contracting. Reporting directly to Frank Venegas, Jr. Ideal Group Founder & Chairman, Loren is accountable for the performance of the Ideal Contracting, LLC management team. During Loren’s tenure with the Ideal Contracting Management Team, the company has developed into an award-winning general contracting firm uniquely qualified to deliver the results that customers desire through Lean Construction Principles. Loren maintains contact with Ideal Contracting’s primary customers. Client satisfaction, as it relates to project delivery and service, is his final responsibility.

Jesse Venegas

Jesse Venegas is the Vice President at Ideal Group. With over 19 years of full-time working experience within the company, his original start at Ideal was as a floor-sweeper at 11 years old. From that point on, Jesse has been rising up the ranks as he has taken on roles in all facets of the company, including working as Union Local 25 Iron Worker, Steel Fabricator, and Project Manager in the construction and manufacturing business units. Jesse also spent time as a Launch Manager, Site Manager, Regional Director, and Business Manager for the Ideal Setech companies.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Vermont and minoring in Economics and Mathematics, Jesse has continued to grow his knowledge as he graduated from the Executive Training Program at TUCK School of Business at Dartmouth College.

At Ideal, Jesse is the Business Unit Manager for Ideal Setech Companies and Ideal Steel, while also overseeing Manufacturing, Security, Facility, and IT departments for all of the Ideal Group of companies. He has a proven track record for successfully developing new business and increasing company profits through the development of key accounts.

Outside of Ideal, Jesse is a Gubernatorial Appointee for the Michigan Community Service Commission, the chair of Facilities Committee for the Detroit Opera Board of Directors, chair of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, board member at the Detroit Children’s Fund, and is the founder of the Clark Street Classic hockey tournament in Southwest Detroit’s Clark Park.

Linzie Venegas

Linzie Venegas is the Vice President at Ideal Group. With over 20 years of experience in the manufacturing and construction industries, Linzie has rose through the ranks at Ideal since she started working for her father’s company at 14 years old. Over the years, she has moved from intern-level positions in her teenage years to spending significant time in accounting, sales, and marketing before moving to the executive level.

Linzie graduated from the Harvard Executive Education Training Program and the Executive Training Program at TUCK School of Business at Dartmouth College, where she is now an instructor for the Business Digital Excellence Program. She is a recipient of the Mi Gente Magazine Spirit of Frida Award, The Joyce Ivy Foundation Women of Impact Award, and has also been named to the 2019 Top 10 Michigan Business Women by NAWBO, the Crain’s Detroit Business 30 in Their Thirties, as well as the Crain’s 40 Under Forty list.

As the Vice President of the Ideal Group of Companies, Linzie oversees Accounting, Human Resources, Administration, and Marketing activities for all eight companies. But her work doesn’t stop there as Linzie has been working closely with various community organizations in Southwest Detroit including Holy Redeemer Grade School and Detroit Cristo Rey High School. She currently serves as a chair member of the Detroit Athletic Club, is a Board of Trustees member at Cranbrook and is an active board member at Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, as well as Cranbrook Institute of Science.

Nick Luxon

Jon Hautau

Matthew Hickey

Matt Hickey is the Chief Financial Officer for the Ideal Group of Companies. His career at Ideal originally started back in 2002 where he worked as a Field Engineer for Ideal Steel before moving into an accounting role. After moving on and spending time as a Project Engineer at George Auch Construction Company and as the Chief Operating Officer and VP of Business Operations at Toebe Construction, Matt returned to Ideal Group in 2021 to take over the CFO role.

Matt is a 2002 graduate of Central Michigan University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and degree in accounting.

Specializing in strategic planning, financial analysis and cash management, and organizational goal setting, Matt has a proven record of financial and business acumen that has immediately paid dividends since his return to Ideal. He is responsible for financial oversight, budgeting, financial planning, and benchmarking, oversite of capital improvements and expenditures, as well as operational support and treasury management for all Ideal Group of companies.

Julie Weiss-Pilarski

Richard Brown

Bill Brown

Bill Brown brings over 50 years of experience in the construction industry to the team. As Executive Director, he utilizes his vast experience, knowledge, and relationships to expand Ideal Contracting’s geographical footprint while growing brand recognition throughout the United States.

In addition, Brown leads national labor relations for Ideal Contracting. He has vast experience in this, as he has sat on multiple boards throughout his career. Bill served as a member of the  St. Louis Ironworkers Joint Apprenticeship Committee beginning in 1976  and served as its Co‐Chairman from 1988‐1998.  He was also appointed to the A.G.C. (Associated General Contractors) of America’s Manpower and Training Committee and served as its Chairman and a member of the Board of Directors.

Bill was appointed as Vice Chairman of the Federal Committee on Apprenticeship by President George H. Bush.  He was later appointed by the Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, to Co‐Chair O.S.H.A.’s Negotiated Rulemaking Committee.

Bill served as President of the National Erector’s Association and its successor organization T.A.U.C  –  The  Association of Union Constructors, the United States’ largest all union contractor association.

Today, Bill is currently the Management Co‐Chairman of  IMPACT  (Ironworker  Management  Progressive  Action  Cooperative  Trust) Washington D.C., Trustee of the Ironworkers National Training Fund, and continues to be a member of the Ironwokers Local Union No. 396.

Daniel Budnik

Dave Miller

Stephen Barlow

Stephen Barlow joined the Ideal Contracting team in 2019, bringing over 30 years of construction-related experience. He has worked in the commercial, multifamily, and institutional sectors. As a native of Detroit, Stephen has developed strong relationships and is very well known in the Detroit construction market.

Stephen attended from Ferris State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. Stephen is also a licensed Michigan Real Estate agent.

As Director of Business Development, Stephen Barlow continually identifies, builds and develops new client business within Ideal Contracting’s sectors. He oversees all aspects of the sales process, including the development of opportunity-specific sales strategy, selection of pursuit teams and supervises the entire sales process until the final close of the construction project. ​Stephen also collaborates with the marketing team to create effective marketing strategies.

Jennifer Torres

Jennifer Torres is the Director of General Contracting for Ideal Contracting, a role she assumed at the beginning of 2022. In her position, Torres oversees all general contracting projects for the company.

Before being appointed to her executive position, Torres served as Sr. Project Manager where she oversaw the completion of many successful projects in the automotive, commercial, and industrial markets. Her relentless attention to detail and commitment to Ideal Contracting’s customers have continued to propel Torres’ career to new levels.

While pursuing a degree in college, Torres attained a day job with a company that was involved in the construction of Ford Field and Comerica Park. The exposure to these major projects piqued her interest in the construction industry, ultimately leading her to land a position as Project Engineer with Ideal Contracting in 2004. Since then, Torres has steadily advanced her career while earning a reputation as a resilient and trustworthy leader in the industry.

Torres holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Wayne State University. She is an active member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. A 25-year veteran of the construction industry, Torres utilizes her leadership skills to administer Ideal’s general contracting operations while also aiding in the development of the company’s next generation of leaders.

Patrick Bell

Patrick Bell has over 23 years of experience in the construction industry and began working for Ideal Contracting in 2017.  He has extensive experience in various market segments including, erecting and fabricating structural and miscellaneous steel. Pat graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management.  He is an AWS Welding inspector and is certified in various safety programs including AHA Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, AED, and OSHA’s 30-Hour certification.

As Director of Steel Operations, Patrick Bell provides overall administrative and technical direction for major projects within the steel division.  He supervises and reviews project management procedures and oversees the total construction effort to ensure that the project is constructed in accordance with design, budget, and schedule.  Pat interfaces with owner site representatives, architect representatives, and contractors representing Ideal in project meetings.

Josh Duey