A New Chapter for HGC: Jake Suer Named President

HGC is entering an exciting new chapter. As our company continues to grow, we’re excited to announce Jake Suer as the new President of HGC. It’s a natural next step for both Jake and the company, and one that builds on the strong momentum we’ve created together. 

Jake has been a key part of HGC’s leadership team for years, helping guide the company through tremendous growth while building strong relationships with our clients, partners, and team members. He knows the business inside and out and is ready to lead HGC into what’s next.

“Jake has played an important role in building HGC into the company it is today,” said Adam Kuehne, Chief Operating Officer of Huseman Group. “He understands our business, our clients, and the values that have guided our success. I’m excited to see him lead HGC as we continue building on the strong foundation our team has created.”

This transition also reflects Adam’s expanded role across Huseman Group. Over the past several years, he’s been working behind the scenes with leaders across our companies to strengthen operations, share best practices, and support growth throughout the organization. As COO, he’ll continue that work while remaining closely connected to HGC and its leadership team. 

What isn’t changing is our commitment to our clients. You’ll continue working with the same experienced team you’ve come to know and trust. Our commitment to quality, collaboration, and doing right by our clients isn’t changing. This transition simply strengthens our leadership as we continue to grow while staying true to the values that have guided HGC for nearly 100 years. 

“I’m honored to step into this role,” said Jake. “What makes HGC special has always been our people and the relationships we’ve built with our clients and partners. I’m excited to build on that foundation and lead this incredible team into the future.” 

We’ve got a lot to be excited about. HGC is stronger than ever, and we’re looking forward to what comes next. Most importantly, we’ll continue doing what we’ve always done: building great projects, building lasting relationships, and showing up every day for our clients, partners, and communities. 

HGC Earns Eagle Award for 7 West 7th Apartments

Award winning adaptive reuse project turning the Macy's global headquarters into a 21 story residential building

HGC has been awarded an Eagle Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors Ohio Valley Chapter in the General Contractor: Renovation $10M to $100M category for its work on 7 West 7th Apartments.

The Eagle Award recognizes projects that demonstrate excellence in planning, coordination, and execution. HGC’s work stood out for transforming a high-rise office building into a 341 unit residential community while navigating complex existing conditions, active tenants, and a constrained downtown site.

Project Spotlight: 7 West 7th Apartments

Located in downtown Cincinnati, the project converted the former Macy’s global headquarters into a 21 story, 356,000 square foot residential building, that upon completion became the largest apartment community in the downtown core. Delivered at a time when demand for traditional office space had declined, the project represents a significant office-to-residential conversion, bringing new density and long-term value to the urban core.

This was not a typical renovation. It required a full reconfiguration of the building to support residential living, including the integration of new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems within an existing structure that lacked the infrastructure necessary for residential living.

Scope highlights included:

Building Within Constraints

The complexity of this project came from working within an active, constrained environment while completely transforming the building’s functionality. First-floor commercial tenants remained operational throughout construction, requiring continuous access, active life safety systems, and uninterrupted utilities. Work had to be carefully sequenced to avoid disruption to daily operations.

At the same time, construction was closely tied to an adjacent, independently operated parking garage. Major systems had to be routed through this space, requiring tight coordination, limited work windows, and maintained access for ongoing use.

Inside the building, the shift from open office layouts to residential units required significant redesign on each level. The residential units required significantly more vertical plumbing infrastructure than the original office design allowed, leading to strategic routing through existing structural systems without compromising integrity or constructability.

Logistics That Drove the Project

With limited staging space in a dense downtown location, traditional material handling was not possible. To maintain progress, the team implemented a just in time delivery strategy, coordinating closely with trade partners to ensure materials arrived exactly when needed and were immediately distributed to active work areas.

One of the most critical challenges was vertical material movement. Due to the building’s facade and location, an exterior hoist was not an option. Instead, the team developed an internal hoist system by repurposing existing elevator shafts. A custom rail and buck hoist system was installed within the building, creating a controlled, efficient way to move materials and personnel across all 21 floors.

This system became the backbone of the project’s logistics strategy, enabling consistent material flow while maintaining safety and productivity.

Coordinated Execution at Scale

With more than 253,000 man-hours and a 24-month schedule, the project required disciplined coordination from start to finish. The team implemented a flow scheduling approach, allowing trades to move floor by floor in a consistent sequence. Early phases were used to refine production rates, creating a repeatable rhythm that improved efficiency and reduced delays across the building.

Pull planning was also used to coordinate key milestones, including the removal of the internal hoist system, which required precise alignment across multiple trades to complete without impacting overall progress. Throughout the project, ongoing coordination, inspections, and communication ensured consistent quality across all units and common areas.

What This Award Represents

The 7 West 7th Apartments project demonstrates what defines HGC’s approach:

By transforming an underutilized office tower into a modern residential community, this project highlights how thoughtful construction can adapt existing structures to meet evolving market needs.

How Construction Planning Supports Play, Parks, and Natural Environments 

Exterior of the Cincinnati Zoo Reptile House with colorful flower beds and landscaped grounds.

When construction takes place in parks, public spaces, and play environments, success is measured by more than what is built. It is also defined by what is preserved. Trees, habitat, and natural features are often the very reason people are drawn to these spaces, and protecting them requires early planning, consistent communication, and a disciplined approach in the field.

At HGC, environmental stewardship is not an afterthought. It is embedded in how we plan and execute work on complex sites. Our tree and habitat protection planning process reflects a broader philosophy that aligns closely with the needs of parks and recreation construction, where construction and public use must coexist with nature.

Building Around Nature, Not Over It

Many parks and play environments are active, living landscapes. Mature trees provide shade and character. Native plantings support local ecosystems. Wildlife often shares space with visitors and construction teams alike. Construction in these settings demands more than standard logistics planning. 

Our experience delivering work in sensitive environments, including projects with the Cincinnati Parks and at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, has shaped a clear and repeatable approach to minimizing impact while still achieving project goals. The result is a structured Tree and Habitat Preservation Plan designed to protect natural assets from the earliest planning stages through project closeout. 

A Five-Step Approach to Tree and Habitat Protection 

Our planning process is built around five core steps that guide how teams think about environmental protection onsite. 

1. Document 

Every project begins with understanding existing conditions. Trees, root zones, and key habitat elements are documented and mapped early. This information is incorporated directly into planning documents so that proximity to structures, utilities, and construction activity can be clearly reviewed by the entire team. 

2. Identify 

Clear identification in the field is critical. Translating plans from paper to the jobsite ensures everyone understands what needs protection. Visual confirmation, field walk throughs, and coordination with stakeholders help eliminate assumptions before work begins. 

3. Protect 

Protection measures are tailored to each site. Techniques such as fencing at drip lines, root zone coverings, and preemptive pruning are implemented to safeguard long term tree health. We also consider the surrounding habitats that support pollinators, birds, and other wildlife, adjusting work zones, access paths, and sequencing to minimize disruption to nesting areas, forage sources, and movement corridors. These measures are installed early and maintained throughout construction, not treated as temporary or optional. 

4. Educate 

Education is one of the most important and often overlooked components of environmental protection. Expectations around tree and habitat preservation are reinforced during bidding, site orientation, daily huddles, and ongoing coordination with trade partners. When everyone understands the why behind the plan, execution becomes consistent and reliable. 

5. Review 

Conditions on active sites change. Our teams continuously review protection measures and update plans as needed. Adjustments are documented, progress is tracked, and communication remains open so that preservation goals stay aligned with construction realities. 

Why This Matters for Parks and Play Projects 

Parks and play spaces are inherently people focused, designed for connection, movement, and shared experiences, as well as for fostering a meaningful connection to nature. Construction in these environments often happens in close proximity to the public, existing amenities, and natural features that cannot simply be replaced. 

Having a disciplined approach to tree and habitat protection supports several critical outcomes for park and play projects: 

By planning around natural assets instead of treating them as obstacles, projects can enhance the user experience rather than disrupt it. 

A Natural Fit for Community Focused Work 

Tree and habitat protection is one example of how HGC approaches park and play projects with intention and discipline. We understand that playgrounds, trails, and recreation spaces are built for long-term public use, often within living landscapes that cannot be disrupted or replaced. Our planning-driven approach helps owners balance construction progress with environmental responsibility, public safety, and long-term performance. 

As communities continue to invest in parks and play environments, early collaboration with a construction partner who understands these complexities can make a meaningful difference. At HGC, we bring experience working in active public spaces, clear planning processes, and a deep respect for natural environments. By protecting what already exists while building what comes next, we help create play environments that are welcoming and ready to serve communities for generations.