August 30, 2018
We are pleased to welcome Dan Frasca, our new Project Executive, to Epstein!
Since joining Epsteins Construction Group, hes been involved in the construction and contract administration for two Vegetable Juices, Inc. projects, one in Tulare, California, and another in Bedford Park, Illinois. Hes also working on Dailys Smokehouse Expansion in Salt Lake City, where we are currently finishing up the pre-con and issuing bid packages for pricing.
Prior to Epstein, Dan worked with national construction and development firms, with projects across the United States. That experience provided him the opportunity to both build and develop several product types, including industrial, food service, cold storage, laboratories, office (mid and high rise), medical office, mix use retail and residential. Most recently, Dan was the Managing Partner for the Walker Group, Ltd.
Dan said the craziest project he has ever been involved with was the construction of the new Habitat Africa at the Brookfield Zoo. In order to start the project, he had to relocate the four existing giraffes living in the old facility. It gets better they also had to carefully convince the giraffes to walk 75 meters to their temporary home. Take it, Dan¦
I learned that the animals cannot feel pressured or spooked leaving their current home, or they will not return. So they were on their own. For 34 days, we watched the giraffes venture a little bit farther each day, to only watch them return to their home.
Finally, one giraffe decided to go all the way to their new digs, and by the end of the day, the others followed. The project started the next days and the fun continued for 14 months. It was an extremely interesting project! Sounds like it! Also, where can I inquire about becoming a giraffe wrangler? Sounds like theres a need in the market.
Dan grew up in Merrillville, Indiana, attending Andrean High School. He then went on to Purdue University (Boiler Up!), in West Lafayette, Indiana, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management & Technology.
I was a Business major my first year while at Purdue, but was much more of a hands-on type of personality, and always was interested in how things were built, Dan noted. Construction Management was a natural for me. If I wasnt in this industry, I would be in investment banking. Well, we are certainly glad you are in this industry!
While at Purdue, Dan was also a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity as are two of his sons!
He has two more sons and is married to his wife, Janet. Their family resides in Hinsdale.
Outside of work, Dan enjoys snow skiing, fishing, cooking and coaching youth sports. I feel that competing in youth and high school sports provides you with a ton of valuable knowledge and experience to carry forward into life, he said.
Once again, welcome, Dan! We are pleased to have you with us!