Neal Flesner, Author at Velo Group

Construction PartneringApril 26, 2026May 6, 2026

Pulling the Rope Together: How Partnering Paved the Way at Travis AFB

When the goal is a runway open in time for an airshow, you need more than a great contractor. You need a team that trusts each other enough to solve problems in real time. The …

Congratulations to NAVFAC Southwest and all partners involved in completing the Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) China Lake’s portion of work on the historic $2.7 billion, 26 individual projects that made up the earthquake recovery program at Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake. Through the successful delivery of 26 projects and 56 technically complex facilities, this extraordinary effort restored and modernized one of the Navy’s most critical research, development, testing and evaluation installations. Involving eight prime contractors and countless specialty contractors working alongside 150 military and civilian personnel during the peak of COVID-19, the scope and success of this monumental program are a testament to the collaborative spirit, perseverance and expertise of all parties. From the early recovery efforts such as construction of the temporary contractor berthing camp to the completion of the South Airfield Complex and the final close-out and move-in phases, this work showcases how teamwork and innovation can transform challenge into opportunity. “This achievement reflects the dedication and teamwork of our construction, engineering and contracting professionals across the OICC and ROICC teams, our industry partners, and the supported commanders,” said Capt. Cathy Eyrich, Commanding Officer, NAVFAC Southwest. “Their collaboration, expertise and relentless focus on mission success made it possible to transform a devastating event into a modern, resilient capability that will serve the Navy and the nation for decades to come.” VELO Group is especially proud to have supported this critical effort through our partnership with NAVFAC, the federal government, and various contractors over the last five years. As the partnering facilitator, we helped foster communication, alignment, and collaboration among diverse stakeholders throughout the program — ensuring the mission stayed on track through unprecedented conditions and complexity. Learn more about this milestone from NAVFAC Southwest’s announcement.

Construction PartneringFebruary 3, 2026

Bravo Zulu: NAVFAC Southwest Completes Mission at ROICC China Lake

Congratulations to NAVFAC Southwest and all partners involved in completing the Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) China Lake’s portion of work on the historic $2.7 billion, 26 individual projects that made up the …

Construction PartneringJuly 1, 2025July 1, 2025

Why the Construction Industry Still Needs Face-to-Face Meetings

In today’s hyper-connected world, it’s tempting to think we can run every project from behind a screen. Video calls, emails, and messaging apps make it easy to stay in touch without ever leaving the office …

Construction PartneringFebruary 18, 2025

Construction Partnering Lesson’s Taken to Heart

By Neal Flesner As the president of Velo Group and an IPI Master Construction Partnering Facilitator, I’ve always been a firm believer that the foundation of any successful construction project is strong collaboration. So, when …

Construction PartneringNovember 5, 2024

Celebrating the Completion of the Seattle Lynnwood Link Extension Transit Line: A Model of Construction Partnering

The grand opening of the Sound Transit Lynnwood Link Extension (L300) on August 30, 2024, represents not only the launch of a vital transit line, but also a significant milestone in construction partnering and collaborative …

Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Ammunition Pier and Anaheim Bay Modernization Project

Construction PartneringOctober 1, 2024October 1, 2024

Building Success Through Collaboration

Building Success Through Collaboration: Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach Ammunition Pier and Anaheim Bay Modernization Project The Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach recently completed the Ammunition Pier and Anaheim Bay Modernization Project, a significant $157 …

Construction PartneringAugust 29, 2024

The Value of Face-to-Face Meetings in Construction Partnering: Leveraging the 7-38-55 Rule

At Velo Group, we frequently hear, “Should we hold this meeting face-to-face, or can we just get away with a video conference?” The answer isn’t straightforward-it depends on various factors. To shed light on this, let’s …

China Lake Naval Base Earthquake Recovery

Construction PartneringAugust 14, 2024August 16, 2024

China Lake: Celebrating Recovery and Resilience Five Years After the Ridgecrest Quake

It’s been nearly five years since the Ridgecrest earthquakes rocked the Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, a key hub for Navy research, testing, and weapon development. Established in 1943 during World War II, …

1021 O Street Office Building, Sacramento, CA

Construction PartneringAugust 2, 2024August 2, 2024

Enhancing Construction Project Delivery through Partnering: A Collaborative Approach

Enhancing Construction Project Delivery through Partnering: A Collaborative Approach In today’s dynamic construction landscape, marked by challenges like supply chain disruptions, inflation, and labor shortages, the importance of efficient project delivery methods has never been …

Construction PartneringJune 4, 2024June 21, 2024

Mastering USACE Construction Partnering: Embracing Collaboration, Commitment, and Communication

Partnerships with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) hold a unique blend of challenges and unparalleled opportunities. Whether undertaking infrastructure projects, environmental restoration efforts, or disaster response initiatives, working alongside the USACE demands specialized …

Construction Partnering, LeadershipJanuary 17, 2024May 7, 2024

2024 – The Year of Accountability

by Neal Flesner In a recent Construction Partnering session, I was discussing the successes of a $1.4-billion mega project as they embarked on the last 10 percent of construction, commissioning and turnover. “What was the …

Group of construction workers and supervisors talking

Construction Partnering, Goal SettingDecember 5, 2023January 7, 2024

Listening – The Most Powerful Tool in Your Communication Toolbox

Effective communication is essential in any field, but in construction, where projects are complex and involve numerous stakeholders, the ability of project team members to communicate effectively is essential. While sharing your expertise and ideas …

Velo Group's Eileen Sien facilitating a brainstorming session at the 2023 International Partnering Institute Conference

Construction PartneringJuly 25, 2023August 25, 2023

What is a Construction Partnering Facilitator?

If you have been involved in the design and construction industry for even a brief period, you’ve likely witnessed contentious interactions between project stakeholders that far too often result in claims and litigation. Unfortunately, adversarial …

Construction Partnering, Project ManagementJuly 6, 2023July 18, 2023

State of California 1021 O Street Office Building Named Partnered Project of the Year

Congratulations to the 1021 O Street Office Building project team on winning the International Partnering Institute (IPI) 14th Annual John L. Martin Partnered Project of the Year Diamond Award for buildings and public infrastructure over …

Project ManagementApril 25, 2023April 26, 2023

LA County MTA Regional Connector project named 2023 ENR Best of the Best

Congratulations to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Regional Connector Transit project team on earning a 2023 Engineering News-Record (ENR) Best of the Best Project of the Year award! A total of 20 projects …