Eric Onick has a lot of fans. There are his VPCS colleagues, who appreciate how he can be counted on to step up and lend a hand, always bringing his wonderful sense of humor to his work. There’s also his brother, who still gets a kick out of being mistaken for him. And of course, there are his young children, who are grateful for his wacky pancake recipe innovations. Learn more about all of the above in this Q-and-A with Eric:
Q: What’s your VPCS role?
A: I came on board to help the VPCS Napa Valley Unified team right at the start of last year’s “summer jam,” as we call it. That’s when school lets out and we get very busy working on sites while students and staff are on break. I have a long background as a general contractor, so I’m very involved in the technical side of construction.
Q: What inspired you to shift from general contracting to construction management?
A: I was a contractor for 17 years, running public works projects all over the Bay Area, and I worked with Ray Green and VPCS on one of those projects. I was impressed from the start at how collaborative VPCS was as a partner, and when Ray introduced me to Mark and Mike Van Pelt, it became clear that they ran their company with a real family feel. When it was time for me to make a change, I was excited to join the VPCS family and bring my GC experience to the team. Plus, my degree is in construction management [from Chico State University], so it felt like a natural transition.
Q: Have you always lived in the Bay Area?
A: Yes – I grew up in a little town in west Marin County. After my brother and I came back from college, we bought a place together in northern Marin. We’ve both been there ever since – although we don’t still live in the same house. I don’t think the wives would like that.
Q: It sounds like you and your brother are close.
A: Very. We’re identical twins, so it’s the real deal. We obviously went to the same schools growing up, then we both went to Chico State and majored in construction management. We decided not to work for the same companies after graduation, but we have worked for competitors in the past, which was pretty interesting.
Q: If you’re identical, people must get you confused fairly regularly.
A: Well if you’re around us long enough, you can tell the difference. But … yeah … we often get confused for each other. When we were in middle school, the substitute teachers couldn’t tell us apart so we’d switch desks and we thought it was the funniest thing ever. Then, in college, we’d go everywhere together so we started getting referred to as “the construction management twins.” These days, since we’re both in the Bay Area public works field, people who don’t know we’re twins just assume we change jobs a lot since they think they see us on different projects. And since we live so close to each other, I’ll be at the hardware store or someplace in town and someone I don’t know will wave at me thinking I’m my brother. It’s pretty funny. But we’re used to it.
Q: Speaking of family, tell us about yours.
A: My wife and I have two daughters who are three and nearly seven.
Q: And, from the looks of this picture of you in the apron, you’re the pancake hero in your house.
A: We have a weekly tradition of Pancake Sunday. The idea is that whatever else is going on, we’ll all gather at home on Sunday mornings and have pancakes. My wife and I want our girls to have this little constant in their childhoods, like a core memory. Then, we picture them coming home when they’re grown and we’ll do it even then. It’s a lot of fun. I can get pretty creative with the ingredients. A family favorite is pork brisket pancakes. My Instagram page is just littered with pancake content.
Q: Does your wife help with pancake prep?
A: No, I’m the pancake guy. But she’s a great cook. And she does the mom thing around the clock, while also having a full-time career in tech communications. She does it all and I respect her more than anybody in my entire life. She’s Superwoman.
Q: Sounds like you make a great team.
A: Well, family is huge for both of us. That’s why I’ve transitioned so easily to VPCS, because it’s a family operation and everyone here is committed to doing the right thing. So I guess my core values complement the company’s. They didn’t even have to sell me on joining the team – it was an easy decision because I had seen for myself that the people here really are all about honoring The Van Pelt Way.
The design-build delivery model – in which a single contract covers both the design and construction for a project – is becoming increasingly common in our industry. Design-build does more than just streamline the process. It also enables a collaborative, integrated environment where project teams work more closely together to achieve common goals.
At VPCS, we’re very familiar with the design-build approach. Still, we’re always open to sharpening our skills as part of our commitment to professional development. That’s why we recently sent several of our employees to a three-day workshop (also attended by our partners at Arntz Builders and The Motive Studio [formerly CA+SA Studio]), where instructors from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) did a deep dive into this methodology. These VPCS team members are all now eligible to pursue certification as Design-Build Professionals®.
Here is some of the feedback our people provided about the workshop:
Minh Dao: “The workshop validated how VPCS is really ahead of the curve, because we’ve already managed so many PreK-12 design-build projects even though it’s a relatively new model for that sector. The fact that we’ve been entrusted by our clients to manage their work using this method is big. Design-build can be difficult and complicated but when done right, there is no better outcome. With DBIA certification, it can help reassure owners and potential design-builders that we understand the process, know how to manage the risks and consistently deliver a great end product. VPCS is always looking forward, and this workshop was proof of that.”
Ray Green: “This workshop really affirmed for me that design-build, which VPCS has been doing for a while now, is really the best practice. And these opportunities for professional development are unmeasurably valuable. They drive home that VPCS is committed to serving our clients with cutting-edge services, while also supporting our own team members with the knowledge to do so. Plus, it’s always great to be in the room with our industry partners sharing stories and perspectives on project scenarios that we’ve all seen but might not have worked on together.”
Kelli Van Pelt Jurgenson: “Design-build is growing more and more popular in PreK-12 construction. The focus on collaborative project delivery is really attractive to our clients, and the workshop helped us see design-build through their perspective. We want to make sure our team members are on the leading edge of trends and best practices for this and every delivery method; professional development is a top priority for VPCS. I’m grateful to have incredible team members, both inside and outside of VPCS, who want to continue to learn and hone their skills.”
Brian Cameron: “By understanding how the design-build process works, you can make the process smooth and collaborative for all parties involved – while a lack of familiarity with this method can be a serious detriment. VPCS definitely has a competitive advantage, given our past experience working on design-build projects in addition to how the firm supports our professional development. The workshop was so helpful, as I can apply what I learned directly to a few different active projects I’m currently working on. Sending us to this training is further evidence that VPCS represents the gold standard in this industry.”
Jenny Choi: “The workshop reiterated best practices for the design-build methodology, and explored all the techniques we can use to implement those approaches. It showed us new ways to fold the design-build model into the Van Pelt Way, which focuses on doing whatever it takes to meet our clients’ needs and exceed their expectations. And having some of our partners there was so valuable, as we can always benefit from hearing their perspectives. I love any opportunity to learn and expand my professional knowledge, especially alongside my VPCS colleagues.”
Jennifer Gibb: “We’re always looking for new and better ways to serve our clients and design-build is one of the tools we can utilize to achieve great results for districts and communities. We believe in continuous improvement, and this workshop gave us an even more thorough understanding of how design-build brings opportunities to our clients while promoting collaboration and transparency. It was great having our partners there too, as their perspectives always help us analyze scenarios through every lens. Once again, it all comes down to how our work can boost student achievement. Because it’s all about the kids.”
It’s February, which means it’s time for the annual conference of the Coalition for Adequate School Housing (CASH). This year, our industry will come together February 23-26 at the convention center in beautiful Palm Springs, collectively honoring CASH at its 46th yearly gathering. We’re looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues, clients, partners and friends to exchange ideas, learn new strategies and have some fun – all in service to our shared commitment to improving California’s school facilities. And in the wake of the 2024 election, when important state and local school bond measures passed at the polls, we have a lot to celebrate as well as a lot of work to do!
VPCS is always extremely supportive of the CASH conference and its impact. This year will be no exception. Here are some of the ways we’ll be backing the 2025 event:
Kicking Things Off. VPCS is the proud co-sponsor (with Climatec) of the first-ever “Pre-CASH Bash.” Anyone who’s in town on Sunday, 2/23 is welcome to join us for food, beverages and fun from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Thompson Palm Springs, 414 North Palm Canyon Drive.
Supporting the Golf Tournament. Once again, VPCS will be on hand as a proud sponsor of the 2025 CASH Conference Golf Tournament on Sunday, 2/23. Look for us at the first hole, where we’ll be offering adult refreshments, handing out lots of fun swag and having a blast.
Participating in Educational Sessions. Members of our team will be on the stage at several different sessions.
Vice President of Business Development Jennifer Gibb will sit on the panel at the “New Member, First Time Attendee” session, a fun and interactive discussion designed to orient newcomers to CASH and/or to their school facilities careers. Monday, 2/24 at 10:45.
Executive Vice President Kelli Van Pelt Jurgenson will be one of three panelists at “New(ish) to Facilities Leadership? Here’s a Guide.” Kelli and her fellow presenters will introduce facilities leadership basics, offering insider tips for those who have come to the role without formal training. This is the third year this extremely popular session will be on the conference agenda. Monday, 2/24 at 3:45.
Jennifer Gibb will moderate an important and topical session titled, “Innovating Early Childhood Education (ECE): How Districts Can Create Transformative Pre-K-to-K Facilities.” Joining her on stage will be three panelists, including a representative of Lemon Grove Unified School District, where VPCS has been hard at work bringing the new Early Childhood Education Center to life. Tuesday, 2/25 at 8:30.
Jennifer Gibb will also share the stage as a panelist at “A Whole New World: Maintaining Building Program Support Post-Election.” The session will explore how to maintain momentum in the wake of election season, when many bonds have passed and new board and facilities team leaders are stepping into place in school districts. Wednesday, 2/26 at 10:30.
Co-hosting Mixers. Join us at one or both of the evening get-togethers we’re helping throw early in the week. On Monday, 2/24 from 7:00-11:00 p.m., we’ll be at High Bar at the Rowan (100 W. Tahquitz Canyon Way). RSVP for our Monday mixer here. On Tuesday, 2/25, we’ll be back at it, this time at Lulu’s Bistro (200 S. Palm Canyon Drive) starting at 5:30. RSVP for our Tuesday mixer here.
Sponsoring the CASH Professional Headshot Photo Booth. On Tuesday, 2/25, CASH attendees are invited to sit for free high-end professional portraits that can be used for career advancement or simply to update online profiles. VPCS is proud to make this first-time CASH conference service available to all registrants at no charge. Digital files will be available on the spot and no appointment is necessary.
Cheering On Our Newest SFLA Graduate. On Monday afternoon, we’ll be in the audience at the CASH School Facilities Leadership Academy (SFLA) graduation ceremony, whooping it up for Jenny Choi, VPCS’s most recent graduate of the program. Jenny will be the sixth of our employees to complete this rigorous year-long training. Jennifer Kerr will join the SFLA cohort that begins the program this year.
Having a Blast at the VPCS Exhibit Booth. CASH conference attendees always love hanging out at the VPCS booth, where there’s never a shortage of fun, conversation and goodies. This year, we’ll have Skee-Ball, device charging stations, lots of our famous swag and more. Find us at spot #1215.
Nicholas Olsen is one of the newer members of Team VPCS, having joined us in October of 2024. And we’re so happy to have him, as he brings valuable facilities management experience from the district side. But Nick is so much more than a construction and program manager (CM/PM). He’s also a newlywed, a busy dad AND a switch-hitter (on the baseball field). We sat down with him to hear more.
Q: What VPCS team have you been assigned to?
A: I’m in the Redwood City School District. We’re the program and construction managers for Measure S, which is a $298 million bond that passed in 2022. I really like getting involved in bond programs from the planning phase, which is something I’ve done when I’ve been on staff at other districts. In fact, before I joined VPCS, I was a one-person facilities and construction department at one of the districts where I worked. So I know how to wear a lot of hats, which comes in handy in this line of work.
Q: How has your experience on the district side informed the work that you’re doing now representing owners as a CM/PM?
A: It means I understand both perspectives; I know how school districts operate and what their priorities typically are. And VPCS really does live up to its promise, which is something Mark [Van Pelt] says all the time: our job sites are schools where construction is taking place, not construction sites where school is taking place. School operations always come first.
Q: Did you always know you wanted to be a construction/program manager?
A: I actually started college in the architecture program. But one of the first required courses was construction management, and that class got me started on this path. I switched my major and here I am! I like to look at every project from both the design and constructability side.
Q: Shifting gears here, but starting your new VPCS job wasn’t even the biggest news of the past year for you, right?
A: That’s right. I also got married last May – just a few months before I started the job. My wife and I had a beautiful celebration in Puerto Vallarta, which is a place she’s gone to with her family for many years, so the location is pretty special to us. And our kids were part of the ceremony – I have two from my first marriage and my wife and I have a two-year-old together – and they all walked down the aisle together holding hands. It was pretty great. And now we have another one on the way, due in March.
Q: Congratulations! Is your wife connected to education also?
A: Yes, she’s been a Spanish language teacher for about 20 years and now works for the Virtual Academy, which is part of Pleasanton Unified. In fact, VPCS is working on a new building where her program will be based. And my older kids have always gone to school in that district and it’s where I used to work as director of facilities and construction, so we’re very connected there.
Q: So do you raise your kids bilingually?
A: Yes and no. Everyone else in the household speaks Spanish. My wife first got interested in the language when her family started traveling to Mexico when she was a kid, and now she teaches it. My older kids went to a Spanish immersion program when they were in elementary school, so they’re pretty fluent. And I have to assume that our toddler and the new baby will pick it up too. I’m sort of the outlier. They could all talk about me in Spanish and I wouldn’t know what they were saying!
Q: Well, you have other skills.
A: I guess that’s true. One fun fact about me is that I’m ambidextrous – mostly in baseball. I started playing when I was about four years old and have always been able to play on both sides, even though I’m a natural lefty. In baseball, it’s more valuable to be left-handed, so I got a lot more practice on that side. Still, I pitched with both arms and hit from both sides of the plate.
Q: Very impressive. Do you still play?
A: No, not since my twenties. I guess once I started having kids, my focus shifted. But then I started coaching my older kids, which was fun. I’ve coached baseball, softball, soccer and basketball – pretty much anything my kids wanted to play I would coach. And I guess the two little ones will have no choice but to get involved in sports, and my wife and I will end up coaching them too! She was also an athlete in school, although she played soccer so that might be what these next two will play.
Q: Sounds like a great way to share time with your kids.
A: Absolutely. I loved coaching my older kids and I look forward to getting back into it with my younger two. These days, though, we don’t have any extra time. We’re mostly just running the kids around and then we’ll be back in baby mode starting in March. But that’s one of the reasons why I wanted to join VPCS. This is such a family-friendly place to work. Plus, I get to help build schools, which I just love to do.
As the end-of-the-year holidays approach and we prepare to wrap up another trip around the sun, we want to pause and reflect on both the past and the future. This year has been a busy one at VPCS, as we’ve continued to expand our reach and bring our signature service to even more PreK-12 school districts throughout California. We’ve also added to our in-house team, welcoming several new talented professionals to our employee roster – the best in the business.
We’re excited for all that’s coming our way in 2025, including any opportunity to draw from and lean into The Van Pelt Way. This company ethos of ours guides us as we support our district clients and the communities we jointly serve.
We wish one and all and joyful holiday season and a wonderful new year.
It’s the gratitude season, which always reminds us to take a moment and reflect on all that we’re thankful for. At VPCS, we never take for granted how lucky we are to work with such wonderful people – that includes the good folks here at our own company as well as those who serve our client districts and those who work for our partner organizations. It’s a great time of year to acknowledge our blessings and focus on some of our goals for the new year. Here’s how a few of our staff members put that thankfulness into words:
Jennifer Gibb: Gratitude is a practice I prioritize every day. I am blessed to have such abundance – family, friends and colleagues, along with the trusted partner relationships that VPCS has been building for nearly 30 years. I am grateful to play a role in that legacy each day. I feel lucky to be a mom, a friend, a colleague and a partner in this industry. Our clients and vendor partners make our work not only possible but deeply rewarding. Their collaboration and dedication make our projects smoother and more successful, and I am continually appreciative of their support and the strong connections we share.
Ashley Del Rio: I am incredibly grateful for my wonderful VPCS team – for their support, collaboration and effort. I am especially thankful for all the opportunities I’ve had in my first year here and I look forward to further expanding my skills. I am also beyond thankful for my amazing husband and our two wonderful boys. I am excited to discover what lies ahead, both professionally and personally.
Angie Ramich: I am grateful for a healthy, positive working environment where we are blessed with wonderful clients, co-workers, peers and partners. And, of course, my family – my three adult daughters and my partner, Rick. (I’m even grateful for his horrible Dad jokes.) In the new year, I’m looking forward to reading more books, making more quilts, enjoying time with friends and family and seeing my girls continue to live their best lives.
Daniel Stevens: I’m grateful for the mentorship and employee development I receive at VPCS. I’m also grateful for my family. In the new year, I’m looking forward to beginning construction work in one of our districts.
Christine Scheffer: I’m grateful for our staff and their dedication to VPCS. I’m also thankful for my family (both the four-legged and two-legged kinds), our safety, our health and the love we share. I’m looking forward to learning new things that I can apply at work and at home so I can continue to create a great work/life balance.
Jake Jurgenson: I am grateful to work with all the incredible people here at VPCS, each of whom puts in such impressive effort. The fact that we like hanging out with one another is icing on the cake! Of course, I’m also very thankful for my family – immediate, extended, distant or friends-as-family. They all motivate me, inspire me, frustrate me and make me laugh. In the new year, I’m looking forward to more RV trips with the family, and my son moving up to high school!
Louann Carlomagno: As a lifelong learner, I’m grateful for the understanding I’ve gained at VPCS about how best to serve school districts from a facilities perspective. And, as always, I’m thankful for my parents, who taught me how to be the very best person I can be. While both have passed away, their memory lives on in the actions I take and the person I have become. Looking ahead to 2025, I’m excited to travel with my husband, Brian, while celebrating our 40th wedding anniversary!
Jonette Johnson: As I come up on my one-year anniversary with VPCS, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with some pretty amazing people. I am also grateful for the time I have with my family and friends. Time goes by so quickly and it is easy to forget that we are not always guaranteed more time. In 2025, I am looking forward to continuing to learn more in my position along with spending time with my family and friends.
Felicia Silveira: I am thankful for my colleagues, who make every day a fun adventure filled with laughter! I’m also celebrating my first year of being married to my partner of seven years! And I’m grateful for the health of my doggy, who has connected me with some of my closest friends through many trips to the dog park. In the coming year, I’m looking forward to getting outside more, checking out some new camping spots, learning new recipes and practicing my DIY skills around the house.
Nick Olsen: I am new to VPCS and am grateful to join a company that’s so family-oriented. I’m also thankful for my wife and three (soon to be four) kids, and our amazing extended family who are always so loving and helpful. I’m looking forward to making great new memories at work and at home.
Melanie Griffiths: I started a new role this year that places me in the main office interacting with everyone and all the teams. I am so grateful for such amazing co-workers and their support during the transition to this new role! It has been just a great experience so far. My family and friends are what I am most grateful for outside of work. Each day brings something new.
Eric Onick: I am grateful to be working for amazing clients alongside all my hard-working VPCS colleagues. “The Van Pelt Way” is not just a slogan. It’s a testament to the pride and compassion we bring to every facet of our work. I’m truly grateful to be able to be part of such a great organization! I am also grateful for my amazing wife, wonderful kids and loving family. It’s a blessing to have the life that I do.
Kelli Van Pelt Jurgenson: I’m grateful for challenges. That might sound strange, but every time we face a challenge, we get the opportunity to work with our colleagues and clients to find solutions. Challenges seem insurmountable when you are facing them alone but once you ask for help or collaboration, you realize that none of us are alone. I’m also incredibly grateful for my kids and husband, who exemplify the motto of “work hard and be kind.”
