Data center

Mission Critical & Advanced Facilities Projects

Delivering Speed, Scale and Certainty

Mission critical and advanced facilities require a construction partner that understands the importance of reliability, resiliency and long-term operational performance. McCownGordon combines strategic planning, technical expertise and disciplined execution to help clients navigate complexity, accelerate delivery and support future growth across Kansas.

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Jamie Bailey, a McCownGordon Construction associate

Jamie Bailey

VP, Client Strategy

Aerial view of complex industrial piping and cooling towers

Speed to Market In Mission Critical Construction

Project momentum begins long before crews arrive onsite.

Our teams advance procurement planning, trade partner engagement and permitting efforts alongside ongoing design activities to keep projects moving forward from the earliest stages. By bringing stakeholders together early and addressing potential challenges before they impact progress, we help reduce delays and maintain schedule performance. This approach allows fabrication, infrastructure work and construction activities to begin sooner, creating a faster path to startup and operational readiness.

McCownGordon self perform associate working

Supply Chain and Trade Partner Strategy

Complex facilities require a supply chain approach that balances predictability, flexibility and speed.

Supported by a strong network of trade partners and self-perform capabilities, our teams proactively manage procurement and workforce planning through a focus on:

  • Strategic trade engagement
  • Capacity and resource planning
  • Procurement coordination

By combining market intelligence with proactive planning and strong industry relationships, we help support schedule certainty while maintaining quality and cost objectives.

McCownGordon associates looking at a virtual model

Design Coordination and Constructability

Mission critical and advanced facilities depend on effective coordination between building systems, infrastructure requirements and project stakeholders. Our collaborative approach engages key trade partners early to evaluate constructability, improve system integration and identify challenges before construction begins. Ongoing model coordination, constructability reviews and clash detection help ensure systems remain aligned and prepared for installation.

With advanced virtual design and construction, BIM and real-time coordination tools, we:

  • improve coordination, reduce rework and provide a clear path from design to installation
  • develop integrated, buildable solutions that support schedule certainty, reduce risk and contribute to reliable facility performance

Learn about our Building Performance Solutions Group

Flexible Delivery Models

Mission critical and advanced facilities projects often involve evolving requirements, accelerated schedules and complex stakeholder coordination. Our delivery approach combines flexible execution strategies with an integrated team structure that supports timely decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Whether utilizing CMAR, design-build or another delivery method, we align design, procurement and construction within a coordinated framework. This enables phased releases, parallel activities and continuous collaboration that help projects maintain momentum without waiting for full design completion.

 

Aerial drone view of large data center cooling systems
Prefabrication and Modularization

Prefabrication and modularization are valuable tools for improving speed, quality and predictability on mission critical and advanced facilities. Our teams evaluate opportunities early, particularly within mechanical, electrical and utility systems, to move work into controlled fabrication environments and improve installation efficiency.

By incorporating prefabricated assemblies such as electrical skids, piping systems and modular building components, our teams:

  • Improve site safety, reduce congestion and accelerate installation activities
  • Enhance quality control and create greater consistency across systems
  • Support more efficient project delivery through reduced labor risk and improved coordination

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

LED console in server room of a data center

Integrated Controls and Commissioning

Mission critical and advanced facilities depend on systems that operate together reliably from the first day of operation. Our commissioning approach begins early, incorporating system readiness, operational goals and startup planning into preconstruction and design activities.

We work closely with project teams, trade partners and equipment vendors to coordinate controls integration, startup planning and performance verification. This includes:

  • validating sequences of operation
  • supporting commissioning and testing activities
  • confirming systems function together as a complete operating environment

By integrating commissioning throughout project delivery, we help improve startup readiness, reduce operational disruptions and support long-term facility performance.

Our Commissioning Approach

Proactive partnerships that keep projects moving

Community Engagement

Mission critical and advanced facilities rely on extensive infrastructure coordination and strong partnerships with organizations outside the project team. Early engagement with utilities, municipalities and regulatory agencies is essential to maintaining schedule certainty and reducing project risk.

Our teams coordinate closely with power providers, water authorities and local jurisdictions to address permitting requirements, infrastructure capacity and service needs. Through proactive communication and established relationships, we help streamline approvals, avoid delays and support successful project delivery from the earliest stages of development.

Jason McRorey, MEP Director at McCownGordon

Jason McRorey

MEP Director

Chris Vaeth

Senior Vice President

Emily Tilgner, McCownGordon

Emily Tilgner

SVP, Building Performance Solutions

Jereme Nollett, Sr Commissioning Manager at McCownGordon

Jereme Nollett, PE, CCP, EMP

Commissioning Director

Justin Hamilton

Senior Vice President

Jason McRorey, MEP Director at McCownGordon

Jason McRorey

MEP Director

Jason brings more than 20 years of construction experience delivering complex, mission critical facilities. He is a performance-driven mechanical MEP leader with deep expertise in the planning, coordination and execution of highly technical mechanical systems, which must operate continuously in regulated environments.

Senior Vice President

Chris Vaeth has an extensive portfolio managing large-scale projects for some of the regions most notable organizations, including Walmart, Oracle Cerner, Garmin International and American Century investments. Chris’ primary focus lies in guiding clients and teams through effective problem solving and delivering solutions that precisely align with client needs and goals. He has successfully led McCownGordon’s largest and most complex corporate development and campus projects, demonstrating exceptional coordination and communication, and effective stakeholder engagement.

Emily Tilgner, McCownGordon

SVP, Building Performance Solutions

Emily leads our Building Performance Solutions division which includes several quality departments including Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing, Structural & Soils, Virtual Design & Construction, Commissioning, Sustainability and Building Envelope and Enclosure teams. She brings a wealth of experience to the team, adding crucial knowledge when it comes to the systems of complex projects. With a long history in design, Emily’s unique perspective helps projects spot potential issues long before they happen.

Jereme Nollett, Sr Commissioning Manager at McCownGordon

Commissioning Director

Jereme leads our commissioning department with a diverse background in MEP Engineering, new building commissioning, retro-commissioning, energy management, and test and balance. Specializing in building performance optimization and energy conservation, he has led numerous projects focused on retro-commissioning and controls upgrades. Jereme excels in enhancing occupancy comfort and energy efficiency, leveraging his engineering and facilities management expertise. His deep understanding of MEP systems and commitment to sustainable design make him a valuable asset to any project.

Senior Vice President

Leveraging more than 20 years of experience, Justin has led complex projects and operations across the nation, primarily in the manufacturing space. Key project experience includes mission critical and advanced manufacturing, FDA/USDA regulated facilities, automated distribution/logistics, and specialty chemicals. Justin specializes in complex projects with an integrated, collaborative approach, including design-build, EPC and IPD.

Contact Our Mission Critical Team

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THE FIRST THING WE BUILD IS RELATIONSHIPS.

Looking for a mission critical contractor or advanced facilities construction partner in Kansas? McCownGordon can help you plan, coordinate and deliver high-performance facilities that support operational reliability, efficiency and long-term success.

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