John Lefkus:  

Well folks, it seems kind of silly to package almost 35 years in a story, but here it goes. I knew I was going to design and build in some capacity while attending Woodbridge High School. Classes with Russ Mattoon for Architectural Drafting and acceptance to the new Architecture program at NJIT launched me on my way. My entepreurnurial spirit, however, thrust me into business, short circuiting my pursuit of becoming a registered architect. It didn't slow down my pursuit of design-build, however, and I did it with a twist, I got involved with a modular construction firm and spent the next 25 years pushing the envelope of what factory built structures could achieve. All my work has been in institutional or commercial projects using Concrete & Steel, not the typical image of a modular solution. This included the launch of the nation's cellular phone network, construction of parts of three Disney Parks, and more schools and prisons then I can recall. Perhaps one of the most interesting approaches began in the late 80's after reading that the Russians had bugged the new US Embassy in Moscow. Why not build them in the US where the process can be controlled and erect them overseas? Meetings at the State Department and Pentagon were met with unusual optimism. The fall of communism and pending conflict in the Middle East demanded creative approaches. For over the next 15 years I was involved in building all types of overseas government facilities including US Embassies in most of the old Soviet Republics. Projects ranged from Bangkok to Bagdad to Bissau in West Africa. I developed unique constructions solutions to resist almost every physical and technical threat from blast, ballistics, RF, and EMP. By the mid 90's the then Secretary of State, Madeline Albrecht, presented me with an award for outstanding contributions to help "Reinv...Expand for more