Please welcome Austin Commercial to ASHRAE to talk about The Making of a Design Build Team!

They will be discussing what they look for in A/E partners as well as sub-consultant Partners.  This includes how they think about selecting their team as well as what they look for during the design and construction form their partners.

Wes Juergen

Wes Juergen is a Project Regional Manager at Austin Commercial with more than 20 years of experience leading complex construction projects and high‑performing field teams. An employee‑owner, he is recognized for collaborative leadership and delivering exceptional results. In 2025, Wes received the AGC Houston Standard of Excellence Award and remains an active voice on construction technology, workforce challenges, and innovation in project delivery.

Ethan Cook

Ethan Cook is a Senior Project Manager with Austin Commercial, where he serves as the primary point of contact and day to day leader for complex design build projects. With more than 15 years of industry experience, Ethan has delivered a wide range of technically challenging and high profile projects. His background across diverse delivery methods has shaped a collaborative, hands on management style that emphasizes early teamwork, accountability, and clear communication between designers, builders, and owners. Ethan brings practical insight into how successful design build teams are formed, aligned, and maintained from concept through completion.

Ethan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Science and Environmental Design/Architecture.

Ben Janes

Ben James is a Senior Project Manager at Austin Commercial, specializing in the delivery of large-scale capital healthcare construction projects in Houston, TX. He currently leads teams on two major MD Anderson initiatives: the $1.2B Design-Build Clinical Services Building in collaboration with Perkins Will Architects, and the $2.3B Patient Care Building 1 alongside Austin Layton. Ben holds a Master’s in Construction Law from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and is in his second year as a JD candidate at South Texas College of Law Houston.