Leesburg, VA — On August 8, The Building People proudly hosted the final overnight stop of Journey of Hope, the national cross-country cycling event organized by The Ability Experience. Escorted by local police and cheered on by the Leesburg community, the cyclists arrived at The Building People and The Depot headquarters for an afternoon of celebration, reflection, and rest ahead of their final ride to Washington, DC.
Journey of Hope is a signature event of The Ability Experience, the philanthropic arm of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Each summer, two teams of cyclists ride a combined 8,000 miles to promote inclusion and raise awareness for people with disabilities. Their journey blends endurance, service, and connection—changing perceptions and building community in every city they visit.
This marks the second year The Building People has hosted the riders, aligning the event with the company’s Hearts & Hands philanthropy campaign, centered on the pillars of Community, Gratitude, Giving Back, and Mentoring.
“Our team is honored to support the incredible riders of Journey of Hope and the purpose they represent,” said Lawrence Melton, CEO of The Building People. “Opening our doors to them is more than hospitality, it’s a shared commitment to inclusion, service, and stronger communities.”
The afternoon featured remarks from company leadership, local officials, and nonprofit partners, followed by food, music, and a spirited cornhole tournament that raised $400 for the Jack Trottier Foundation, an organization supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries. The Building People matched the funds and rounded the total donation to $1,000.
After the festivities, the cyclists stayed overnight at The Depot, The Building People’s coworking and event space, which was transformed into a welcoming rest stop.
The celebration brought together Loudoun County officials, the Town of Leesburg, and local businesses in a united show of support. Together, they helped create a memorable experience for the cyclists—and a lasting reminder of the power of unity, inclusion, and community impact.
To learn more about The Ability Experience and the Journey of Hope, visit www.abilityexperience.org.
At The Building People, our people are at the center of everything we do. In this month’s Employee Spotlight, we’re excited to introduce you to McKenna Hayes, Jr. HR Generalist. From supporting internal communications to driving HR processes, McKenna plays a vital role in shaping the employee experience and company culture at TBP.
Learn more about McKenna’s background and role below:
What is your professional background?
Before joining The Building People, my background was in real estate as a Listing & Marketing Coordinator.
What is your role at TBP?
I’m currently a Jr. HR Generalist.
Can you tell us about the work you do at TBP?
My work focuses on internal communications and HR processes. That includes everything from employee relations to supporting compliance and influencing company culture.
What do you like most about working in your role?
The variety and impact it offers. I love that the position allows me to work across multiple areas of HR whether it’s employee relations, culture, or compliance. Every day looks a little different.
How do you define success?
Success means achieving your goals and continuing to push yourself to be the best version of you.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I’d love to learn how to speak a different language.
What is a fun fact about you people might not know?
I have a 3-year-old French Bulldog named Waylyn. 🐾
Do you have a favorite quote that resonates with you?
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable that’s where growth happens.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of to date?
Moving back to my hometown and starting a brand new journey. It feels like the start of a better chapter for myself.
Work-life Balance – My dog Waylyn & Traveling
Leesburg, VA – September 24, 2025 — The Building People has been awarded the General Services Administration’s Best-in-Class OASIS+ 8(a) Contract Vehicle in the Facilities Domain (Contract #47QRCA25DA301). This contract vehicle provides federal agencies with a streamlined path to acquire full-spectrum facilities services from highly qualified providers.
The OASIS+ program is a Best-in-Class, 10-year IDIQ designed to simplify acquisition for professional services. For agencies, this means less time navigating procurement hurdles and more time accelerating results such as smarter operations, healthier workplaces, and long-term portfolio resiliency.
“This contract empowers federal agencies to access top-tier service providers like The Building People,” said Lawrence Melton, CEO & President of The Building People. “Through GSA’s OASIS+ contract, our clients have a simplified tool to engage the right expertise, whether that is stabilizing daily operations, tackling mission-critical projects, or delivering multi-year modernization at scale.”
The Building People’s OASIS+ 8(a) award complements its suite of existing GSA vehicles, including OASIS+ Small Business, OASIS+ Unrestricted, GSA Building Maintenance and Operations (BMO), GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), and GSA 8(a) STARS III. Together, these vehicles provide multiple pathways for agencies to quickly access integrated solutions that combine facilities management, occupier services, and smart building technology.
“Our clients expect speed, flexibility, and measurable outcomes,” Melton added. “With this award, we can help agencies reduce costs, improve occupant experience, and create facilities that are ready for the future, all while supporting small business and mission-focused goals.”
Agencies can order services via GSA OASIS+ 8(a) – Facilities (Contract #47QRCA25DA301) or work with The Building People to determine the best contract path based on mission, timeline, and procurement objectives. Learn more about The Building People’s contract vehicles.
About The Building People
The Building People delivers integrated solutions that combine smart building technology, real estate strategy, full-spectrum facilities operations services, integrated workforce and workplace design. We transform organizations and portfolios using real-time data, automation, and AI to optimize performance, reduce costs, and extend asset life. Whether supporting a single building or an enterprise portfolio, we tailor every solution to meet client-specific needs, helping create spaces that are agile, innovative, sustainable, and built for long-term success. Learn More at https://thebuildingpeople.com.
Leesburg, VA – September 15, 2025 – The General Services Administration (GSA) has awarded the Real Property Solutions Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), a key contract supporting the federal government’s efforts to modernize and streamline its real estate portfolio.
Under this BPA, GSA will gain access to expert solutions that address critical priorities, reducing costs per occupant, improving space utilization, accelerating the disposal of underused properties, and unlocking long-term cost savings through strategic lease and portfolio management. These services are essential as agencies continue to right-size their footprints in response to changing workforce needs and hybrid work adoption.
The BPA provides a streamlined path for GSA to deploy high-impact strategies and technologies across its real property portfolio. With access to data-driven space planning, real-time analytics, and smart decision frameworks, federal leaders will be better equipped to identify consolidation opportunities, reduce lease liabilities, and align occupancy models with mission effectiveness.
This contract also enables faster execution of property disposals—shortening timelines, reducing holding costs, and supporting broader asset rationalization goals. It integrates proven operational and technical solutions to drive measurable improvements in efficiency, agility, and environmental performance across the government space.
“This agreement comes at a pivotal time for the federal real estate community,” said Larry Melton, CEO of The Building People, the BPA prime contractor. “By combining strategy, technology, and execution, this BPA empowers GSA to lead government-wide transformation with confidence and precision.”
The Real Property Solutions BPA will serve as a cornerstone in the federal government’s broader strategy to create workspaces that are both fiscally responsible and better aligned to mission delivery. By helping agencies modernize facilities, reduce excess square footage, and embrace smarter, more flexible workplace models, the agreement directly supports government-wide priorities for cost efficiency, sustainability, and improved employee experience.
As agencies adopt hybrid work and long-term space planning strategies, the BPA ensures they have a proven vehicle to access expertise and solutions that deliver results quickly. The Building People and its partners stand ready to support GSA and client agencies in executing transformation initiatives that will shape the next generation of federal real estate.
For more information about the Real Property Solutions BPA or to learn how The Building People can support your organization, please visit www.thebuildingpeople.com.
About The Building People
The Building People delivers integrated solutions that combine smart building technology, real estate strategy, full-spectrum facilities operations services, and integrated workforce and workplace design. We transform organizations and portfolios using real-time data, automation, and AI to optimize performance, reduce costs, and extend asset life. Whether supporting a single building or an enterprise portfolio, we tailor every solution to meet client-specific needs, helping create spaces that are agile, innovative, resilient, and built for long-term success.
Leesburg, VA – June 24, 2025 – The Building People has been selected by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) for a multiple-award Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) to deliver smart sensor installation and support services across federally owned buildings nationwide.
The five-year Smart Sensor BPA is part of GSA’s ongoing efforts to modernize more than 180 million square feet of federal real estate through the deployment of scalable, flexible, and cyber-secure sensor technologies. These technologies are designed to provide real-time occupancy and environmental data that inform decisions around space utilization, energy efficiency, public health, and facility performance.
Under the agreement, The Building People will support GSA in deploying a range of sensor types, including occupancy, indoor air quality, airflow, and energy monitoring. The company will also ensure these sensors integrate fully with building automation systems, GSALink, and other enterprise platforms. This initiative is intended to reduce reliance on manual data collection and enable the federal government to better manage its real estate portfolio in alignment with return-to-office planning, sustainability goals, and employee experience.
“The real power of this contract lies in how data will transform space,” said Trevor Morrison, Vice President of Energy, Environment, and Smart Buildings at The Building People. “By combining smart sensor technology with open integration standards and strong cybersecurity, we’re enabling GSA to make more confident, data-driven decisions about its real estate portfolio. These decisions help drive performance, improve energy efficiency, and prioritize the experience of federal employees.”
The award supports GSA’s broader strategy to enhance federal building performance through the use of commercial off-the-shelf technology solutions that comply with federal IT and cybersecurity requirements.
About The Building People
The Building People delivers integrated real estate, technology, and facilities solutions that connect Technology, Buildings, and People. With expertise spanning smart buildings, sustainability, and portfolio transformation, The Building People enables clients to unlock efficiency, improve operations, and deliver exceptional occupant experiences. Learn more at www.thebuildingpeople.com.
Leesburg, VA – [September 3, 2025] – The Building People is proud to announce that its President & CEO, Lawrence Melton, has been named a finalist for Executive of the Year (for companies with $75 to $300 million in revenue) at the 2025 Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards®. Presented by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Services Council, this award honors outstanding leadership, innovation, and impact in the government contracting community.
Melton joins a distinguished cohort of executives shaping the region’s GovCon landscape. “Being recognized as a finalist among such accomplished peers is an honor,” said Melton. “This recognition isn’t just about me, it’s about what we’ve built together – a purpose-driven company committed to innovation, operational excellence, and creating impact for our customers and communities.”
With more than 30 years of commercial real estate experience, Melton founded The Building People in 2013 to transform the built environment through the integration of technology, buildings, and people. Under his leadership, the company has grown to more than 450 employees, having delivered over $400M in services to customers, and earned repeated recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s Fastest-Growing Companies a staggering 8 years in a row. Melton’s leadership extends beyond business results. Following a personal family tragedy, he launched the Hearts & Hands Campaign, a company-wide initiative focused on gratitude, giving back, and mentoring underserved communities. Through partnerships with organizations like Source America, Shephard Center, and MedStar, the campaign has created dozens of jobs for individuals with disabilities, advanced hiring opportunities, and strengthened mental health advocacy nationwide.
Before founding The Building People, Melton served as Assistant Commissioner at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), where he managed one of the nation’s largest real estate portfolios—over 360 million square feet. Widely recognized as the first executive to implement a large-scale smart buildings program in the public sector, he set a new standard for innovation and efficiency in federal facilities. Earlier in his career, he led facilities and project management for the White House Complex, overseeing the West Wing, Oval Office, and Eisenhower Executive Office Building during a pivotal chapter in U.S. history.
Winners of the 2025 Greater Washington Government Contractor Awards will be announced on November 5, 2025, at a gala at The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner.
About The Building People
The Building People delivers integrated solutions that combine smart building technology, real estate strategy, full-spectrum facilities operations services, integrated workforce and workplace design. We transform organizations and portfolios using real-time data, automation, and AI to optimize performance, reduce costs, and extend asset life. Whether supporting a single building or an enterprise portfolio, we tailor every solution to meet client-specific needs, helping create spaces that are agile, innovative, sustainable, and built for long-term success. Learn more at https://thebuildingpeople.com.
Leesburg, VA – September 2, 2025 – The Building People is proud to announce that Chief Financial Officer Jamie Kerner has been named to the Washington
Business Journal’s 2025 Women Who Mean Business list, one of the region’s most prestigious awards recognizing women leaders whose influence extends across their organizations, industries, and communities.
Now in its 22nd year, Women Who Mean Business is a highly competitive signature program that honors 25 leading female executives from across the Greater Washington region. Honorees are selected through an independent editorial review based entirely on their achievements, leadership, and community contributions. Over the past two decades, the program has recognized more than 500 women who are shaping the future of business and community leadership in the region.
As CFO of The Building People, Kerner has guided the company through a period of sustained growth and transformation. Her financial expertise and leadership have strengthened the company’s resiliency and positioned it for long-term success, while advancing its mission to integrate technology, buildings, and people to deliver the future of real estate and facilities. She is also deeply committed to mentorship and expanding opportunities for women in finance and government contracting.
“Jamie’s recognition as a Woman Who Means Business is a reflection of her exceptional leadership, vision, and influence,” said Lawrence Melton, CEO & President of The Building People. “Her ability to drive both financial excellence and organizational growth makes her an indispensable part of our leadership team, and we are proud to see her honored among such an outstanding class of women.”
Kerner and her fellow honorees will be celebrated at an evening reception on October 8 and featured in a special edition of the Washington Business Journal later this fall.
About The Building People
The Building People delivers integrated solutions that combine smart building technology, real estate strategy, full-spectrum facilities operations services, integrated workforce and workplace design. We transform organizations and portfolios using real-time data, automation, and AI to optimize performance, reduce costs, and extend asset life. Whether supporting a single building or an enterprise portfolio, we tailor every solution to meet client-specific needs, helping create spaces that are agile, innovative, sustainable, and built for long-term success.
Strategic partnership delivers scalable, data-driven solutions for optimizing workspace, reducing costs, and improving occupant experience across 180M+ square feet of federal real estate
Leesburg, VA — [August 27, 2025] — The Building People, a leader in integrated smart building solutions and federal facilities management, and Occuspace, an innovator in real-time occupancy analytics, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver the next generation of workspace optimization solutions. Together, the companies are bringing a scalable, data-driven platform to market that blends The Building People’s expertise in facilities operations and portfolio strategy with Occuspace’s industry-leading AI-powered occupancy sensing technology.
This collaboration has already led to a significant milestone: a five-year, $41.9 million Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) awarded to The Building People by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). Under this contract, these companies will deploy advanced smart sensor solutions to provide real-time insights on occupancy, environmental quality, and energy usage across 180 million square feet of federally owned and managed workspace.
“Partnering with Occuspace enables us to combine real-time data with enterprise-scale facilities expertise to create smarter, more adaptive workplaces,” said Lawrence Melton, CEO & President of The Building People. “This collaboration positions us to help GSA and other clients optimize their portfolios, improve workplace experiences, and reduce operational costs through actionable insights.”
“We designed Occuspace’s platform to deliver the most scalable and cost-effective occupancy measurement technology in the market,” said Nic Halverson, CEO of Occuspace. “Working alongside The Building People gives us the ability to integrate these insights into enterprise solutions that transform the way organizations manage space at scale.”
Driving Innovation in Federal Real Estate
The GSA — the nation’s largest real estate manager — sought a secure, interoperable smart sensor solution to address shifting workplace needs, enable data-driven portfolio decisions, and improve efficiency. Through this partnership, The Building People and Occuspace will deliver:
- Real-Time Occupancy Intelligence — Measuring traffic patterns, workstation usage, and space demand across floors, zones, and entire facilities
- Indoor Air Quality & Environmental Monitoring — Tracking CO₂, temperature, humidity, particulate matter, and sound levels to support health and productivity
- Energy & Cost Optimization — Leveraging integrated data to drive sustainability goals and reduce operating expenses
- Enterprise-Scale Deployment — Utilizing Occuspace’s plug-and-play sensors for rapid rollout and seamless integration with GSA’s Building Automation Systems (BAS) and portfolio analytics platforms
This award represents a major step forward in redefining how federal agencies collect and leverage real-time building intelligence to optimize their real estate portfolios.
About The Building People
The Building People delivers integrated real estate, technology, and facilities solutions that connect Technology, Buildings, and People. With expertise spanning smart buildings, sustainability, and portfolio transformation, The Building People enables clients to unlock efficiency, improve operations, and deliver exceptional occupant experiences. Learn more at www.thebuildingpeople.com.
About Occuspace
Occuspace provides a simple, scalable, and cost-effective platform for measuring occupancy and space utilization in real time. Its AI-powered sensors enable organizations to make data-driven decisions about their real estate, empowering smarter workplace strategies and improving ROI at enterprise scale. Learn more at www.occuspace.io.
Contacts:
Ashley Hyman, Head of Marketing, The Building People, [email protected]
Loren Brown, Chief Marketing Officer, Occuspace. [email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12th, 2025
The Building People
215 Depot Court SE
3rd Floor
Leesburg, VA 20175
Ph. 703.669.2222
TheBuildingPeople.com
August 12, 2025 – Leesburg, VA – The Building People is proud to announce its inclusion on Inc. Magazine’s 2025 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America, marking the company’s eighth consecutive year receiving this national recognition. This achievement places The Building People among an elite group of innovative and resilient businesses that have demonstrated sustained growth and leadership within their industries.
Demonstrating continued momentum, The Building People advanced in this year’s rankings, coming in at No. 2923 overall. The company also earned:
- No. 178 in the Washington, D.C. Metro area
- No. 68 in Real Estate nationwide
- No. 154 in Virginia
“Making the Inc. 5000 for the eighth straight year is more than a milestone — it’s proof that our vision and persistence are paying off,” said Lawrence Melton, CEO & President of The Building People. “We’ve built this company by staying ahead of industry shifts, innovating where it matters, and delivering results our clients can measure. That relentless drive is what keeps us growing, leading, and setting the stage for an even bigger future.”
Now in its 43rd year, the Inc. 5000 list provides a data-driven view of the nation’s most successful independent businesses. This year’s honorees stand out for achieving remarkable growth while navigating inflationary pressures, evolving workforce dynamics, and rapidly changing market conditions.
The complete list, company profiles, and searchable rankings by industry and location are available at www.inc.com/inc5000.
About The Building People
The Building People delivers integrated solutions that combine smart building technology, real estate strategy, full-spectrum facilities operations services, integrated workforce and workplace design. We transform organizations and portfolios using real-time data, automation, and AI to optimize performance, reduce costs, and extend asset life. Whether supporting a single building or an enterprise portfolio, we tailor every solution to meet client-specific needs, helping create spaces that are agile, innovative, sustainable, and built for long-term success.
Methodology
Companies on the 2025 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2021 to 2024. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2021. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies—as of December 31, 2024. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2021 is $100,000; the minimum for 2024 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.
About Inc.
Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.
The Building People is proud to announce the launch of WellBuilt Strategic Solutions, a newly formed joint venture with First Principles & Concepts (FP&C), a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).
WellBuilt was created to meet the growing demand for agile, integrated support in the modernization of federal facilities and infrastructure. This SBA-approved Mentor-Protégé partnership combines The Building People’s proven expertise in lifecycle facilities management, decarbonization, and smart building integration with FP&C’s strength in federal acquisition, program management, and operational transformation.
Together, we are uniquely equipped to help government agencies transform aging infrastructure, improve space utilization, and implement forward-looking real estate strategies that align with mission success.
WellBuilt is more than a partnership; it’s a shared commitment to delivering performance-driven solutions that enhance federal operations from the ground up.
Read the full press release: https://www.wellbuiltss.com/post/introducing-wellbuilt
Explore WellBuilt capabilities: https://www.wellbuiltss.com
Meet Bryn Leichty, Senior Interior Designer at The Building People and an integral member of our Real Estate & Workplace Team.
Learn more about Bryn’s background and role below:
What is your professional background?
I have 12 years of experience spanning residential, commercial, and luxury motor coach design.
What is your role at The Building People?
I am a Senior Interior Designer.
Can you tell us about the work you do at The Building People?
I work on the U.S. Patent and Trademarks Office contract. I work with the team on the client’s design and space planning needs. Some days I may walk spaces on campus for site survey and furniture verification. Other days I may be working on CAD drawings to show how a space can be converted to better suit client needs, or updating floor plans in their workplace management system.
What do you like most about working in your role?
I like that I’m never just doing one thing. I enjoy the variety of tasks I work on, knowing that each week will likely be different from the last.
What is a fun fact about you people might not know?
I can never get enough of music and books, (usually fantasy, sci-fi, horror), and I incorporate both into my daily life. If I’m not reading, at book club, or exploring a book store, I’m probably at a concert, pestering friends to listen to my favorite album/playlist of the week, or trying to book a concert cruise.
How do you define success?
To me, success is continuing to learn new things and striving to be a better version of myself than I was the day before. You only fail by giving up, so as long as I push myself to grow towards my goals, I consider myself successful.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
I would love to be able to learn languages quickly and fluently. I love traveling and listening to music from all over the world, so it would be nice to communicate and understand more readily.
Do you have a favorite quote that resonates with you?
“Let go of who you think you’re supposed to be; embrace who you are.” – Brené Brown
What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
When life gets overwhelming, spend time in nature.
What is the accomplishment you are proudest of to date?
I followed in my grandpa’s footsteps and became an interior designer. I’ve known that’s what I wanted to do since I was in elementary school and saw what he did!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2025
The Building People
215 Depot Court SE
3rd Floor
Leesburg, VA 20175
Ph. 703.669.2222
TheBuildingPeople.com
[June 18, 2025, Leesburg, VA] – The Building People is pleased to announce that Timothy Conway has joined its Advisory Board, bringing decades of executive leadership and strategic insight to support the company’s continued growth and innovation in the federal real estate and facilities space.
Tim is the founder and president of Trusted Digital Consulting and currently serves on the boards of Procentrix, Xcelerate Solutions, and Earth Resources Technology (ERT). He brings more than 35 years of experience leading high-growth businesses serving federal, state, and local government agencies.
Most notably, Tim served as Group President of Public Sector at NTT DATA, where he led a billion-dollar business portfolio and delivered consistent double-digit growth in revenue and profit. His prior leadership roles span major organizations including Xerox, IBM, and Lockheed Martin Federal Systems.
“Tim’s proven leadership and deep understanding of the government landscape make him a tremendous asset to our team,” said Lawrence Melton, CEO of The Building People. “His ability to drive growth, build client-first cultures, and lead through transformation aligns perfectly with where we’re headed as an organization.”
Tim has been recognized with numerous industry honors, including Executive Mosaic’s Wash100 Award and inclusion on WashingtonExec’s “Top 25 Executives to Watch” list. He lives in Virginia with his wife of 33 years and is a mentor to student-athletes at the University of Alabama and the University of Virginia.
About The Building People
The Building People delivers integrated solutions that combine smart building technology, real estate strategy, full-spectrum facilities operations services, integrated workforce and workplace design. We transform organizations and portfolios using real-time data, automation, and AI to optimize performance, reduce costs, and extend asset life. Whether supporting a single building or an enterprise portfolio, we tailor every solution to meet client-specific needs, helping create spaces that are agile, innovative, sustainable, and built for long-term success.
215 Depot Court SE, 3rd Floor, Leesburg, VA 20175 | Ph. 703.669.2222 | thebuildingpeople.com