About Iron Hill Construction Management

Dave Poloni is President of Iron Hill Construction Management (IHCM) and maintains total accountability for all aspects of construction for the Company. Under his direction, IHCM has established itself as a construction management leader in both the Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey markets.

His thirty plus years’ experience in the Design/Build industry, along with his Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Temple University, has helped Iron Hill successfully integrate two disciplines that are frequently in conflict – design and construction.

Dave attributes IHCM’s success to the company’s steadfast belief in the Team Approach:

“In today’s market, margins are tight and time is limited, therefore, a Team Approach is essential to eliminate waste, streamline designs, and expedite the approval process. All parties must work together to mutually achieve the Clients’ objectives. Our project managers and superintendents are well versed in our company philosophy – to achieve total Client satisfaction every time.”

As Director of Construction, Jacob Smith is responsible for managing the firm’s Project Management team members and ensuring that projects are completed in compliance with established policies and targeted project margins.

For the last 13-years, Jacob’s extensive experience in construction management enabled him to spearhead the Petrucci Residential portfolio. He oversaw the design/build of over 1,645 luxury apartment units located throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. In addition to his residential experience, Jacob’s project portfolio includes warehouse, manufacturing, and distribution facilities; parking garages; marinas; office buildings; automotive dealerships and more.

Jacob served as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corp Reserves for eight years. He graduated from Roger Williams University with a Bachelor of Science in Historical Preservation.

Steve Hull is a Senior Project Manager for IHCM. In his role as senior project manager, Steve brings a broad range of experience on many challenging and successful design-build and design-bid-build projects over his career.  He prides himself on relationship management and he has developed excellent relationships with J.G. Petrucci’s clients, subcontractors, and consultants over the years. He also brings a unique focus on streamlining efficiencies and promoting collaboration throughout every project, which in combination with his relationship management skills has led to a solid track record of successful projects. Steve’s extensive experience and knowledge in the areas of estimating, scheduling, pre-construction, and construction services assures projects remain on task and within budget.

Prior to joining the Company, Steve has worked in all facets and roles of the construction industry, including a laborer for a masonry contractor while in college, to estimating, project management, and senior project management roles, and to vice president of operations.  Steve has successfully managed and completed projects ranging in size from 2,500SF to over 1,300,000SF and volume from $5,000.00 to over $100 Million in the retail, multi-family, corporate office building, industrial and warehouse distribution sectors of the industry.  In addition, Steve is a United States Navy Veteran that served as an Information Technology Specialists for four years during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Steve holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Organizational Management with core curriculum credits in Architectural Engineering. Steve also holds a Master of Science degree in Construction Management. He is a member of the Society of Architectural Engineers, has completed the 30-hour and 40-hour Hazwoper OSHA Safety Certifications, and is LEED “Green Advantage Certified”.

Steve lives in the Lehigh Valley, PA with his wife and four children. He enjoys cycling, playing sports, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Mark Waddell is a Senior Project Manager for IHCM. His role is to effectively manage, facilitate, and monitor new construction projects from initial stages through client occupancy. Mark’s extensive experience and knowledge in the areas of estimating, scheduling, and pre-construction services assure projects remain on task and within budget.

Before joining the Company, Mark was a project manager and estimator for a national contracting company headquartered in Maryland. In addition, Mark oversaw extensive work at various naval engineering stations for the United States Navy and was active in the upgrading and renovation of various research facilities for International Business Machines Corporation (IBM).

Mark is both “Green Advantage Certified” and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) AP certified. His experience includes Certification of Multiple LEED Projects including, the 55,000 square foot Sally Breidegam Miksiewicz Center for Health Sciences for Moravian College (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) and Easton, Pennslyvania’s City Hall. Both projects obtained a Silver and Certified LEED rating.

Mark holds both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Drexel University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics from Muhlenberg College.

Eric J. Orth serves as Lead Estimator for Iron Hill. His role involves preconstruction information coordination, conceptual estimating and analysis, budget and specification development, and design concept planning. A Licensed Architect in the state of Pennsylvania and an extensive background in the field of architecture, his experience has reached several market types including educational, commercial, industrial and multi-family/single family residential.

Prior to joining IHCM, Eric’s professional experience was with architectural firms in the Lehigh Valley and Greater Philadelphia region. Graduating Cum Laude from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Architecture, Eric is a Licensed Professional as an Architect in the state of Pennsylvania as well as NCARB Certified. He has taught architecture as an adjunct professor and currently serves on the Construction Code Board of Appeals in two local townships.

Eric resides in Lehigh County, enjoys family adventures with his wife and their four children and involvement at their local church.

Adam Raker is a Project Manager for IHCM. He initially worked for a central PA general contracting firm focusing on steel fab and erection, carpentry, and cast-in-place concrete. While continuing work in the field he returned to school at The Pennsylvania State University to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Structural Design with a Construction Management focus.

He then relocated to work with a Lehigh Valley GC/CM firm before coming to IHCM. His role is to assist the estimating department developing initial budgets as needed and to effectively manage, facilitate and monitor construction projects from initial stages through client occupancy.

His experience and knowledge in the areas of estimating, scheduling, and pre-construction services assures projects remain on task and within budget.

Responsibilities include: creating clear and attainable project objectives, building the project requirements, and managing the key issues of cost, time, quality and above all, client satisfaction.

His project portfolio includes full renovations to two of Allentown’s most historic buildings downtown, over 250k SF of new Class A office space in the tri-state area, as well as numerous other projects for the retail, industrial, and warehouse sectors.

Adam lives in the Lehigh Valley with his wife and 3 children. He enjoys kayaking, running, mountain biking, and spending time with his family.

David Baughman is a Project Manager with over 25 years of construction experience. He facilitates and monitors construction projects from initial stages through client occupancy. David has been a LEED Accredited Professional since 2009. His most recent LEED certified project was the Payson Ranger Station, built in 2019, in Payson, AZ.

Recently relocating from Arizona, where he worked with National Park’s MATOC contracts and a full array of commercial projects throughout Southern Arizona. David’s extensive experience and knowledge in the areas of estimating, scheduling, and pre-construction services assure projects remain on task and within budget.

David enjoys Formula 1 racing, golf, billiards and live music. His new home is near Easton, PA.

Carol Merwarth is an executive assistant with the Company and is located in the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania office. Carol has nearly a dozen years experience as both a paralegal and administrative assistant, including nine years with the Bethlehem-based law firm Leeson, Leeson & Leeson. Her responsibilities include putting proposals together, providing assistance in the construction accounting area and performing general office duties.

Carol is extremely organized, efficient and brings thought and insight to every project. Carol is married and has three children. She and her family reside in Hanover Township, Pennsylvania. In her spare time Carol has long been very active in her children’s schools, currently serving as newsletter editor for the Liberty High School Grenadier Band & Orchestra Parent Club, as well as yearbook advisor for Hanover Elementary School.

She has also been president of the Hanover Elementary School PTA Board and a member of the Nitschmann Middle School Band & Orchestra Parent Club Board. Carol also serves as secretary and assistant treasurer for her church. Carol attended Northampton Community College, where she received a certification as a Paralegal.

Laurie Ritter is an executive assistant with the Company. With nearly 15 years experience in the real estate and legal services industries, including the last three years at Iron Hill, Laurie brings an extensive corporate background and outstanding knowledge of real estate documents to her position. In addition, she possesses excellent communication and interpersonal skills and diverse computer expertise. Laurie is located in the Company’s Bethlehem, Pennsylvania office. Laurie’s educational background includes paralegal courses at Northampton Community College and training in real estate and corporate law. She is married with two children and lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.