Testimonials About Our Team
“Their staff is knowledgeable and responsive, always willing to address challenges head-on and provide thoughtful solutions. Their ability to collaborate effectively with City Council and various stakeholders has been invaluable in ensuring that each project progresses smoothly and remains aligned with the City's goals and budgetary constraints.”
- Kyle Henke, Director of Kirkwood Parks and Recreation
“Navigate has a strong background in construction management and we are proud to say that we have built a wonderful relationship with them, completing more than our initial project with them. Their attention to detail, strong communication skills, and ability to problem-solve under pressure make them an invaluable asset to any project all while saving their clients money.”
- Dr. Paul Fregeau, Superintendent, FOX C-6 School District
“Navigate’s representatives have come to truly understand the needs of Maplewood Public Library and the challenges of our building, and I have been able to trust them to act in our best interest and to guide our renovation in the best direction for us. By handling everything from budgeting to scheduling, Navigate has significantly decreased the burden I feel from this project.”
- Ashley Bryant, MLIS, Director, Maplewood Public Library
“For every issue, NAVIGATE provides the County with a recommended course of action. It is clear that NAVIGATE always has the County’s best interests in mind. Their passion to deliver a top-quality product is evident by their willingness to do everything in their power to steer the projects in the right direction.”
- Kevin Underwood, Project Manager, St. Louis County
“Navigate Building Solutions has consistently proven to be a reliable and effective partner for Harris-Stowe State University. Their team brings a wealth of experience, professionalism, and a client-centered approach to each project, ensuring that our goals and objectives are met with the highest standards. Their ability to navigate complex projects, coordinate with various stakeholders, and deliver on their promises makes them an invaluable asset to any organization seeking project management solutions.”
- Terence Finley, Chief Financial Officer, Harris-Stowe State University
“The work performed by Ms. Aholt and Navigate was very helpful in clearly documenting and quantifying our needs and providing a range of estimated costs to address those needs. The result of this report was City consensus on how to move forward, which was the prime deliverable the City was seeking through this process.”
- Steve Roth, City Manager, City of Sunrise Beach, MO
“It is regrettable that NAVIGATE was not involved as our owner’s representative from the project’s inception, as their guidance and expertise would have undoubtedly ensured a smoother and more efficient process from the start. The positive changes since NAVIGATE joined our team are evident, and their contributions have been invaluable.”
- Dr. Michael Dittrich, Director of Operations, Maplewood Richmond Heights School District
“Navigate Building Solutions made us feel like a priority, consistently going above and beyond to ensure that our needs were met and that we were kept informed at every stage of our project. Their communication was clear and transparent, which fostered a strong sense of trust and collaboration throughout the process.”
- Amy Leach, Administrator, Warren County Emergency Communications Center
“KSD has been very pleased with the entire Navigate team and its responsiveness. It's clear the team is very knowledgeable and experts in the construction field, and we rely on its advice and guidance with all aspects of our projects.”
- David Ulrich, Superintendent, Kirkwood School District
“Within one month of submitting all information, Navigate Building Solutions prepared a detailed report informing every little thing that were possibilities of why the building could have been so high... [NAVIGATE] pointed out each item and went through each one, step by step. This gave the City of Raytown knowledge to address items that could be addressed to re-bid for a lower cost.”
- Robinson E Camp, Director of Public Works, City of Raytown
“NAVIGATE provided construction cost estimates of the schematic design, design development, and construction documents. Their cost estimates ensured the project design stayed within the district’s budget and allowed our staff to make informed decisions regarding the project.”
- Chris Ford, Executive Director of Bond Construction, Springfield Public Schools
“We have been so pleased with the performance of Navigate that the Mayor and Council accepted my recommendation for Navigate to remain in the owner's representative role during the construction phase of these crucial project.”
- Gregory Rose, City Manager, City of University City
“We had no building experience, and they made the process smooth and efficient… Navigate Building Solutions helped us overcome all the challenges and finish on time and under budget.”
- Jeremy Rowland, Chief Regional Officer, Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri
“NAVIGATE has been instrumental in developing our project soft costs and Owner direct purchases to ensure that the Total Project Budget meets our available funding… We are in the process of wrapping up the final bid documents for the project and expect that NAVIGATE has set the City of Branson up for a successful project.”
- Michael R. Woods, Director of Public Works & Engineering, City of Branson, MO
“It’s very comforting to know that we are in the good hands of such skilled workers. Thanks to each of you for making this a great place not only to work at but also to share more good cooking, honing social skills and building Character.”
- Gina Brown-Hall, Secretary II, Nottingham CAJT High School
“NAVIGATE actively promoted the projects individually and we received more than 12 bids for each… While other projects in our metro area were coming in 75%-100% over budget NAVIGATE Building Solutions was able to use their expertise in construction cost management to keep our projects within budget.”
- George Sheets, Chief of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, City of Saint Charles, MO
“NAVIGATE was instrumental in guiding City staff throughout the entire process - from developing a detailed and realistic timeline to preparing and managing the project budget and coordinating all project matters.”
- George Ertle, City Administrator, Lake Saint Louis
“Having the NAVIGATE team at the table with staff during the design and construction meetings was critical to protecting the city’s interests, making informed decisions, and resulting in a project finished in within budget and on time.”
- Jennifer Yackley, City Manager, City of Olivette
“NAVIGATE's team has consistently displayed a high level of professionalism, transparency, and communication, making them a valued partner in our construction endeavors.”
- Jacob Wolfgang, Director of Development, Nelson Construction and Development
“Your team guided us through a difficult project of expanding our police department facility while still allowing us to operate. They were extremely knowledgable about the process and offered sound advice and guidance which made the transition as smooth as possible.”
- Chris DiGiuseppi 294, Chief of Police, Lake Saint Louis Police Department
“Navigate has consistently demonstrated exceptional competence, dedication, and a keen understanding of the unique challenges associated with the construction of educational facilities. Their passion for creating a positive learning environment for young children is evident in every decision and action taken during the planning and design phase of our Early Learning Center project.”
- Jesse Uhlmeyer, Superintendent of Canton R-V School District
“As you are aware, we are in the somewhat unusual position of being able to evaluate the performance of multiple construction managers at the same time. Navigate has proven itself to be the practice leader among our projects. The processes and systems implemented have become our “gold standard” for other campuses. Navigate has my strongest recommendation and I will be happy to speak to potential clients about our experience with your firm.”
-Hart G. Nelson, Chief Operating Officer, St. Louis Community College
“Due to our positive experience with Navigate Building Solutions on this project, we have since contracted with them to assist us with other City facility renovations as well.”
- Eric Sterman, City Administrator, City of Ballwin
“Forest Park Forever was very pleased with the professional services provided by Navigate Building Solutions on our Waterways Project. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate with Navigate Building Solutions and highly recommend them for their services in the construction management field.”
- Russell G. Volmert, PLA, AICP, Capital Projects Manager, Forest Park Forever
“The knowledge, relationships, vision, and communication from Navigate kept our project moving forward and the construction team accountable to the budget and the timeframe for completion.”
- Thomas R. Sauvage, Assistant Superintendent, Meramec Valley R-III
“NAVIGATE’s management has extended to the warranty phase to ensure construction failures have been corrected without additional costs to City taxpayers. NAVIGATE’s advocacy on behalf of the City of St. Charles has been enduring and unwavering.”
- Daryl Hampel, Street Superintendent, St. Charles, MO
“Renovating an entire park can be a daunting task, let alone three at once, but your expertise was a key driver keeping us on track both financially and logistically. In addition to the regular intricacies of designing, engineering, and managing construction, we had the additional complexity of a global pandemic. Without the assistance of the Navigate team, I don’t believe we would have been able to fully complete all of our park projects.”
- Beverly Tucker Knight, Director of Parks and Recreation, Olivette, Missouri
“It is my privilege to recommend Navigate Building Solutions and the services they provide to clients. The Fox C-6 School District contracted with Navigate in June 2022 to provide Owner's Representative services for multiple bond issue funded projects in the district. I only wish that we would have brought Navigate into the process sooner that we did.”
- John Stewart, Chief Financial Officer, Fox C-6 School District
“I have received consistent positive feedback from professional colleagues in the St. Louis Metro Area who have collaborated with Navigate Building Solutions. Their experiences align with my own, praising the organization and its team. Consequently, I am thrilled to announce that the City of Wentzville has selected Navigate Building Solutions for the construction of our new Public Works Facility. Given their exceptional track record, it should not be surprising that they have been entrusted with such a crucial undertaking.”
- Mike Lueck, Director of Parks and Recreation, Wentzville
“We were very fortunate to find Navigate, who responded quickly and efficiently to our initial requests, and who has been a reliable and trusted partner to the City throughout the entire project.”
- Steve Roth, City Administrator, City of Pacific, MO
“Navigate Building Solutions is a highly respected company serving several school districts in our local area of all sizes. As a small district, we often have similar needs of larger districts but on a smaller scale and budget. I greatly appreciate Navigate for showing my district the same attention to detail they would for a larger project finding the best solution and resources to complete our gym HVAC installation within our budget.”
- Jeannie Jenkins, Superintendent, Spring Bluff R-XV School District
“I highly recommend Navigate Building Solutions for their professionalism, knowledge, and integrity. They produce high quality work, save their clients’ money, and are a pleasure to work with.”
-Michael Marlo, Fire Chief, Lincoln County Fire Protection District
“We have spent the past several months designing the gym, Joe and Cory continually monitored market conditions and the related effects on our budget. Because of Navigate Building Solutions help and guidance, we will be able to complete the gym that our students and community so desperately need, despite these very challenging economic times.”
- Edwin Shoemate, Superintendent, Cobden Unit School District #17
“Navigate has vast experience with Mission Critical Facilities in the St. Louis area and it’s clear that their experience and knowledge was instrumental in the successful completion of this facility. Their team brought an overwhelming amount of knowledge to the project and they were able to effectively explain the process and answer any of our questions along the way which allowed us to make the most informed decisions throughout the construction of the building. They were responsive throughout the entire process, answering questions as quickly as possible and they were instrumental in scheduling regular and frequent meetings with the contractors so that everyone was on the same page.”
- Dr. Marie Peoples, City Manager, Webster Groves
“Navigate is a great asset for our district in that it gives us the confidence in knowing that projects will be completed timely and with a great deal of attention to detail. I will conclude by saying that Cory and Scott have shown that beyond their professional working relationship, they care about the interests of the district and have been great to work with as a school superintendent.”
- Charley Burch, Superintendent, Cole County R-V School District
“The Park has been working with Navigate Building Solutions for several years now and they have continued to provide value as an owner’s representative. Navigate Building Solutions and specifically Katie Aholt, drew on their depth of knowledge and expertise to bring not only a robust design and construction effort into alignment, but also to ensure our project was tracked in a way that all the state agencies were aware of progress and had very few questions. As the Park continues to undergo a transformation in future years as prescribed in our 2017 Master Plan, we will continue to retain the services of Navigate Building Solutions to help guide the Park through a number of projects of varying scale. This selection is a testament not only to their technical expertise and project management but also their dedication to being readily available to us as clients.”
- William J. Rein, Director of Operations & Special Projects, Tower Grove Park
“I have said often during the past two years that I truly believe Franklin County saved more by hiring Navigate than it cost to hire them. Fair, honest, efficient, timely, detail-oriented and always-on-top-of-their-game are just a few of the superlatives I can mention in recommending Navigate Building Solutions!”
-Jim Muir, Franklin County, IL
“Because of Navigate’s help and guidance, we will be able to complete all the projects we promised our community, despite these very challenging economic times. This summer we will begin a significant portion of the work and I have no doubt that construction will go very smoothly with the help of Navigate Building Solutions.”
- Michael Romay, Chief Financial Officer, Kirkwood School District
“It is my pleasure to recommend Cory Bextermueller, Project Director of Navigate Building Solutions. Mr. Bextermueller has saved the District money multiple times by finding cost-effective solutions that have also improved the design, look, and appearance of our new buildings. Navigate has not only provided guidance, expertise, and professionalism, but has also helped protect the interest of the District. Navigate’s leadership throughout the building process has been invaluable.”
- Dr. Tony Robinson, Superintendent, Sikeston R-6 Schools
“I fully credit Navigate with coming in and getting the project back on track and guiding us to completion. Their services were comprehensive, including everything from tracking the schedule and holding the subcontractors and general contractor accountable, chasing down change orders and negotiating the amounts, suggesting alternate solutions to addressing issues, and competently presenting information to the board of education and community.”
– Dr. Brian Lane, Brentwood Public Schools
“It is a privilege to recommend Navigate Building Solutions. Your work with MPUA on our new Office and Training Center was extraordinary. Your attention to detail to protect the interests of MPUA at every step of the process is noteworthy. We would recommend Navigate Building Solutions without any reservation and would be pleased to respond to any questions any future clients might have.”
- John Twitty, President and CEO, MPUA
“Navigate was instrumental in guiding the fire district’s building committee in specifying, planning, and bidding oversight. The support from Todd Sweeney during the planning stage and Jen Kissinger during construction were outstanding. Their construction insights, and recommendations for bidding and design concepts helped to drive the contract and select the best general contractor. Navigate worked in the best interest of the district to deliver a quality product to the citizens of the Washington Community Fire Protection District.”
- Tim Frankenberg, Fire Chief, Washington Community Fire Protection District
“Navigate Building Solutions and specifically Katie Aholt, drew on their depth of knowledge and expertise to recommend a contracting solution that was new for Tower Grove Park but delivered award-winning results. Katie was able to provide thoughtful guidance to Park staff and the Buildings & Grounds Committee throughout the course of the project. Katie’s professional oversight of the contractor and her adept ability to communicate effectively made this project a success.
As the Park continues to undergo a transformation in future years as prescribed in our 2017 Master Plan, we will continue to retain the services of Navigate Building Solutions to help guide the Park through even more historic preservation and new building projects as well as one of the most impactful landscape projects the Park has seen in decades. This selection is a testament not only to their technical expertise and project management but also their dedication to being readily available to us as clients.”
- William J. Rein, Director of Operations & Special Projects, Tower Grove Park
“Over the pas several years, I’ve worked closely with Navigate Building Solutions experienced specialists on several capital projects for St. Charles County Ambulance District (SCCAD). With each of the projects, I’ve found Navigate Building Solutions to be an exemplary partner that works to make sure the District is well represented with our architecture firm, general contractors and suppliers. I have been particularly impressed with our Project Manager, Collette Hermann Koscielski. Navigate deserves a tremendous amount of credit for what has taken shape - thanks to their team, we have a facility that will serve our organization, and the citizens of this county, well for decades to come.”
- Kelly Cope, Chief, St. Charles County Ambulance District
“The project was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Navigate developed a realistic timeline for design and construction and projected an August 2020 opening date. Each and every day, Navigate's Jen Kissinger worked tirelessly and relentlessly to resolve any delay and keep the project on schedule. The city was able to build a higher quality aquatic complex than if we had done it alone.”
- Scott E. Avery, City Administrator, Houston
“The City of Poplar Bluff, Missouri engaged Navigate Building Solutions for the preplanning, site evaluation, and preconstruction management services required to advance the design phase activities associated with the development of the City’s new Police Station and 911 Dispatch Center.
The Navigate team met all of our expectations resulting in a successful bid event that was within budget and conducted on schedule. As such, we are confident in recommending Navigate Building Solutions for similar services on other publicly financed projects in the region.”
- Matt Winters, City Manager, Poplar Bluff, Missouri
“Cory Bextermueller was the person assigned to our school district. IT has been nothing short of an incredible partnership. Cory did not tell us what we needed or get us to settle for something different. Cory listened to everything that we needed and then gave us options of how we could make that happen.
We had two different jobs that we had previously had a bid process on prior to deciding to work with Navigate. Those bids were high enough that we decided to wait on them. Two years later, Cory oversaw both of those projects. They both came in and were completed at about one-third of the first project and one-half of the second project. I know that results cannot always be that high but it has been a great experience for the district.“
- Kevin Hillman, Superintendent, South Callaway R-II School District
“The meticulous methods of transparency, inclusion, and professionalism displayed by Todd Sweeney, Jen Kissinger, and the entire Navigate team makes me 100% endorsement and recommendation an absolute no-brainer. You would be wise to select Navigate for your project; I assure you that your shareholders will be rewarded handsomely by their performance!”
- Tim Brinker, Presiding Commissioner, Franklin County, MO
“I have completed many projects over my public career that began in 1972, but none went as smooth and were as stress free as this project. I contribute that success to Navigate’s work and especially Jennifer Kissinger’s work. We talked day, nights, and weekends, whenever needed, to address items and to keep the project on schedule and on budget.”
- Russell L. Rost, Administrative Consultant, Union, Missouri
“Due to the great work of many individuals at Navigate, the project was completed over $1.5 million dollars under budget…Over the past two years, Navigate demonstrated over and over their knowledge of the construction planning and build process for historic renovations. First, they managed the selection and procurement of all the key consultants including the design teams. Then during the design process, they recommended changes that both improved the project and lowered costs. During construction, Navigate managed the General Contractor to ensure that quality, safety, and cost control were always being addressed. Finally, with Non-For-Profits there are many decision makers from staff to boards and Navigate knew how to lead and manage these groups to ensure decisions were made in time to allow the schedule to be maintained.”
- Kevin Poe, Director of Community Assets, Community Impact Network
“I have the utmost confidence that Navigate places the best interest of the District at the forefront. If given the opportunity, I would not hesitate to utilize the service of Navigate Building Solutions for my future projects.”
- Dr. Jason Price, Miller County R-III
“I was skeptical when we signed the contract with you, not because of your company, but because I did not think that previous “construction management firms” we have used have saved us more than they cost. You and your firm have made me discard that notion forever. I can realistically say that this project would have cost much more and been grossly behind schedule without your expertise and the expertise of your company. You have saved us your fee many times over! You and your company truly are our partners in each of these projects.”
- Dr. Virgil L. Weideman, President - Union R-XI Board of Education
“Navigate drew on their talented team to evaluate and assess this project to ensure it was completed on time and under budget. Craig and Katie were able to provide thoughtful guidance to the Park and professional oversight of the contractor, greatly reducing the stress and workload on our team.”
- William J. Rein, Director of Operations and Special Projects - Tower Grove Park
“I would recommend Navigate Building Solutions, LLC for their professionalism, knowledge, and integrity. They produce high quality work, diligently protect their client’s budget, and are a pleasure to work with.”
- Cindy Springer, Retired Director of Parks and Recreation, O'Fallon, MO
“Throughout the entire project, Navigate worked diligently to keep the City’s best interests a priority. They negotiated change orders, mitigated delay durations, and, perhaps most importantly, held all parties accountable for their contractual obligations. I believe that any organization pursuing a construction project would greatly benefit by hiring Navigate Building Solutions to manage the project.”
- Barry C. Glantz, Mayor, City of Creve Coeur
“I am super impressed with Navigates attention to detail. I also appreciate your business mind and know that it adds extreme value to the engineering / construction manager part of the process.”
- Joël Cracchiolo, CFO, Lindbergh Schools
“Navigate played a critical role in our most recent project, bringing a 6 courtroom $18M justice center to the 'notice to proceed' letter issued to the winning design build contractor. They pulled together a highly qualified and professional team of experts that flawlessly navigated the Cape County through the design build process.”
- Clint Tracy, Presiding Commissioner, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
“The City benefitted from Navigate’s expertise, dedication, and professionalism during all three phases: design, construction, and post-construction. I highly recommend Navigate Building Solutions. As a result of their involvement the project came in on time and under budget.”
-Jennifer Yackley, City Administrator, Rock Hill, Missouri
"Due to the great work of Craig Schluter and his team, the project came in 4 months ahead of schedule and under budget. Over the past two years, Navigate repeatedly demonstrated their professional knowledge of engineering and construction."
- Patrick M. Owens, PMP, Senior Project Manager, Great Rivers Greenway
“They are knowledgeable, prompt, professional and demonstrate excellent communication skills. Todd and his team have made themselves available for any questions or concerns we have...Chris Roux is our Project Director and has been nothing less than great to work with.”
- Bob Dunn, Fire Chief, Saline Valley Fire Protection District
"The City of Olivette recently completed design and construction of a 38,000 square foot city hall, and Navigate served as our owner's representative. Due to their great work, the project came in on time and under budget! My only regret is not having brought the Navigate team on earlier in the project. Since the completion of construction, the Navigate team has stayed committed to providing great service; ensuring that staff has the received training necessary to operate and maintain our new facility systems. At every milestone, Navigate has been there."
- Barbara Sondag, City Manager, City of Olivette
"We recently worked with Navigate Building Solutions to complete a new Fire Station. Navigate's team brought a level of professionalism that exceeded our expectation and brought immeasurable benefit to the City. In the end our project was delivered on time and within budget; two of the many benefits of working with the Navigate team."
- Nancy Spewak, Mayor, City of Ladue
“Our team leaders, Todd Sweeney and Craig Schluter, led this project very professionally and their attention to all the details exceeded my expectations. Their communication skills and documentation practices were extremely thorough and effective as proven many times during the project.”
- Patricia Horton, Special Projects Manager, Kirkwood School District