Mark Perniconi Named New Executive Director of the Charles Pankow Foundation
Brings renewed focus on funding innovative research for the design and construction industry
Vancouver, WA—The Charles Pankow Foundation (CPF) announces the appointment of Mark J. Perniconi, P.E., as its new executive director. Mr. Perniconi succeeds Robert K. Tener, Ph.D., P.E., who retired in May 2012 after serving in the position since August 2005.
Mr. Perniconi’s vision includes continuing to develop CPF as a strong leader in the construction industry where, in a trillion dollar industry, very little privately-funded research is done. “To get better buildings, we need to have better methodologies and technologies shared with everyone interested,” said Mr. Perniconi. “CPF can take a leadership role on research projects and get the results faster than larger government entities can.”
“We welcome Mark’s decision to join CPF, and look forward to working closely with him as the foundation continues its high-caliber construction research for the 21st century,” said Richard M. Kunnath, P.E., President of CPF and Executive Chairman of the Board of Charles Pankow Builders.
Under Mr. Perniconi’s direction, CFP will take a more focused approach to the research it funds. “We’ll be supporting fewer grant initiatives, but we’ll put greater effort into ensuring we take the research as far as possible, and make the results widely known and meaningful.”
Among Mr. Perniconi’s goals are using the Internet and social media to greater advantage for disseminating research results and to broaden its audience.
Mr. Perniconi holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. His early career included work on numerous underground utility projects throughout Central California with the W.M. Lyles Company and its sister company, Kaweah Construction. He then returned to Purdue University where he earned a Masters in Business Administration. In 1985, Mr. Perniconi began working for the Pankow Companies, where he managed all real estate activities for the company, and collaborated closely with Charles Pankow on matters of company-owned commercial real estate assets, as well as on development opportunities. Mr. Perniconi later relocated to the Pacific Northwest, where he joined the C.E. John Company and managed the redevelopment and expansion of several major retail assets in Portland, Oregon. Most recently, Mr. Perniconi oversaw a major expansion and redevelopment of a regional shopping mall in northern California for the Westfield Corporation.
Mr. Perniconi is a registered civil engineer and licensed real estate broker in California. He has been an active member of the Urban Land Institute and International Council of Shopping Centers.
With the appointment of Mr. Perniconi, the central office for the CPF will shift from Claremont, California to Vancouver, Washington. Mr. Perniconi can be reached by phone (1-360-326-3767) or by email (mperniconi@pankowfoundation.org).
About the Charles Pankow Foundation
The Charles Pankow Foundation (CPF) was established to provide the public with buildings of improved quality, efficiency, and value by advancing innovation in design and construction. Established in 2002 by Charles Pankow, founder of Charles Pankow Builders, Ltd., one of the country’s leading design-build firms, the Foundation continues to advance his legacy of innovation. The Foundation funds research, development and dissemination of new ideas and products that help the U.S. building construction industry to be more efficient and more cost competitive. The Foundation concentrates its grant making in two areas: Project Team Performance Tools and Structural Systems.
The CPF (www.pankowfoundation.org) is incorporated as a nonprofit, public benefit, charitable corporation with 501(c)(3) status and operates independently of the Pankow Companies.
