2022 Ones to Watch: Chet Braun, Project Executive at JC&A

What recent project, transaction or accomplishment are you most proud of? As my role focuses on expanding our Life Sciences portfolio, I am particularly proud to have contributed to JC&A’s reputation and growing list of life sciences clients, which includes Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Biogen, Sanofi US, Takeda, GSK and many others. Our firm continues to build strong relationships with leading developers, brokers, project management firms and architects as a result of those efforts. I would also like to call out 880 Winter St. in Waltham, a 240K+ renovation and repositioning project for Boston Properties. The project will provide advanced suites and labs, and several notable tenants have already signed leases including TScan Therapeutics, RVAC Medicines, and EdiGene.

What does it take to succeed in your industry? The ability and confidence to take charge and problem solve are two of the most important qualities one can have to succeed in construction management. This is reflected in the name itself–management. JC&A shines because our team of educated and talented individuals respects one another and the ideas that we bring to the table. Similar to the Life Sciences themselves, innovation and new ideas are at the core of what we do. To succeed, we need to be able to not only have those ideas but confidently explain our thought processes and inspire others to embrace them as well. 

What led you to your current profession? I framed houses for one year after majoring in architecture but realized soon afterwards that my true passion lied in real estate. However, I was unsure as to what this meant and began a search for answers; that journey led me to move from Colorado to Boston in order to learn more about real estate and have some fun. Through alumni connections, I interviewed with a local commercial brokerage firm who suggested I interview with a Construction Management Firm. Although I did not know what that meant at the time, I soon figured it out, and the rest is history.

What are the top 3 items on your bucket list? Everything on my bucket list is tied to my love of spending time with my family.

1. Travel somewhere exotic with my three daughters to ski and mountain bike when they’re older
2. Someday go heli-skiing with my friends and family
3. Be healthy enough to ski for more than 100 days once I retire

What are you doing when you aren’t working? Outside of work, my true passion lies in being a “girl Dad.” My wife and I have three beautiful daughters together, and I greatly enjoy coaching my girls’ Lacrosse and Hockey teams and going skiing or mountain biking with them (or friends) whenever possible. Really, doing anything athletic and outdoors with my girls and wife is what makes me the happiest.