Nicholas & Associates set to open new location in Westfield

Mark Garrison tapped to lead new Nicholas East firm

Submitted

Nicholas & Associates, the construction management and general contracting arm of Nicholas Family of Companies, announced on April 30 it will open its fourth U.S. office, Nicholas East in Indiana.

Garrison

The company has hired Mark Garrison as vice president of Nicholas East to help expand its construction footprint in the state and is currently scouting office sites in Westfield. Nicholas & Associates’ headquarters is located in Mount Prospect, Ill, which serves the Chicagoland area, while Nicholas North focuses on Wisconsin and Nicholas South is located in Florida.

One of Nicholas Family of Companies’ largest projects in Indiana is Westfield Ice Facility, a multi-sheet indoor ice facility featuring a pro shop and a range of indoor and outdoor dining options. Under a single point of accountability, the firm will develop, build, and operate the facility. Its new Nicholas East office will serve as general contractor for the project, while its Spectate Group will manage and program the facility, and its Big Fish Hospitality Group will oversee the venue’s food and beverage offerings.

“A big project needs a big presence,” said Nick Papanicholas Jr., managing director and CEO of Nicholas Family of Companies. “Nicholas East will deliver the distinctly different and deliberately personalized service our public and private clients have come to expect. This expansion reflects the strength and dedication of our employees, whose contributions have helped build our reputation, brand, and national presence. Their commitment has been instrumental in making this growth possible.”

Garrison will take the lead on the Westfield Ice Facility project, bringing more than 10 years of experience in real estate development and construction, and will support efforts to expand the company’s portfolio of work in Indiana beyond the ice facility. Most recently, he served as director of development at LG Group for eight years, leading active projects and overseeing execution from entitlement through delivery while serving as the primary liaison for investors, equity partners and key stakeholders. He previously worked as a construction project manager with the company.

“Mark is known for building deep, long-lasting relationships that deliver win-win outcomes,” Papanicholas said. “A new office requires strong leadership, and he brings experience with more than $1 billion in mixed-use and multifamily projects. Mark is widely recognized for bridging design and execution, optimizing cost and schedule, and building high-performing teams. And as a Westfield resident, he brings a strong local network that will help Nicholas & Associates quickly establish a foothold in the market.”

Garrison holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University.

“While I’ve spent much of my career in Chicago, Indiana has always been home, making this opportunity especially meaningful,” Garrison said. “I look forward to leading Nicholas & Associates’ expansion in Indiana, building on the company’s strong foundation and delivering high-quality development and construction projects that create a lasting impact for our clients and the communities we serve.”

Learn more about the Nicholas Family of Companies at nicholasfoc.com.