Employee Spotlight Q&A: Jilmar “JP” Peña

At The Building People, our people are at the center of everything we do. In this month’s Employee Spotlight Q&A, we’re excited to introduce Jilmar “JP” Peña, Project Manager.

Learn more about JP’s background and role below:

What is your professional background?

I recently retired after 20 years as a Navy Chief (engineering). I had a big mix of experiences in the Navy, primarily AC&R (HVAC), hydraulics, reverse osmosis, and engines (gas and diesel). I also spent 7 of those years in recruiting, 3 years as a Master Training Specialist teaching engineering courses, and served as an Equal Opportunity Officer and QA Inspector. I would say I am most comfortable and confident in leading and creating.

What is your role at The Building People?

Project Manager.

Can you tell us about the work you do at The Building People?

I manage site jobs by providing surveys, logistical support, and ensuring completion in accordance with contract guidelines. I am currently working in GSA Region 9 and supporting a couple of other government contracts.

What do you like most about working in your role?

Leaving the service after 20 years, I didn’t want just a job; I wanted a career, but also one that gave me that “team/family” feeling that I miss from being in service. Here at TBP, I feel like I found all of that.

How do you define success?

It’s more than just job completion; it’s about the learning and growth during the process. Every job, task, or contract should not just be something you do or did; it should be an experience in which you learn or grow personally or professionally.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Learn stocks, trading and investing.

What is a fun fact about you people might not know?

I have lived on 4 continents and visited approximately 37 countries.

Do you have a favorite quote that resonates with you?

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart” – Nelson Mandela

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

The most important thing in leadership is the “WHY.” It should never be, “Because I told you so.” If you explain the why, it empowers others to take ownership of their role in the process and helps them see how they fit into the bigger picture.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of to date?

Retirement from the Navy after 20 years and getting my bachelor’s degree.

JP loves customizing his Slingshot and going on long rides

At The Building People, our people are at the center of everything we do. In this month’s Employee Spotlight Q&A, we’re excited to introduce Tim Becker, Associate Director of Proposals.

Learn more about Tim’s background and role below:

What is your professional background?

I have over 20 years of experience managing and producing compelling, winning proposals for the Department of Defense, federal/civil agencies, and commercial customers. I provide end-to-end business development services, including capture planning, business analytics, proposal process development, proposal management, and corporate branding. I am a high-performing business leader who develops streamlined proposal management processes, templates, and tools that support efficient, ISO-certified BD procedures for several companies that have exceeded organizational goals and objectives. I also help design, implement, and manage BD SharePoint sites to organize, capture, migrate, and query relevant proposal content and documents. Through this work, I enable IT organizations to achieve higher win rates, realize cost efficiencies, and diversify revenue streams.

What is your role at The Building People?

Associate Director of Proposals.

Can you tell us about the work you do at The Building People?

I provide leadership for end-to-end business development services, including capture planning, business analytics, proposal process development, proposal management, and corporate branding.

What do you like most about working in your role?

Working closely with groups of hard-working, dedicated individuals to win acquisitions that provide unmatched value to our customers.

How do you define success?

Win, win, win proposals! Let’s go!

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

I’d love to learn to play the guitar.

What is a fun fact about you people might not know?

I grew up swimming for a national team, as well as my summer Northern Virginia Swim League (NVSL) team, and I was Captain of my high school swim team for two years. I love being in the water!

Do you have a favorite quote that resonates with you?

“Live simply so others may simply live.” – Mother Teresa

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

“You can do anything you put your mind to, no matter what other people tell you.” – Joanne Becker

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of to date?

Making 50 laps around the sun and still have a strong faith, a loving family, an amazing job, a place to call home, and people who support me. I am truly blessed.

My family at a Brambleton Bettas swim meet.

Brings deep facilities operations, engineering, and client leadership experience to support The Building People’s growing IFM business.

Matthew Moorehead
Director of Integrated Facilities Management

Leesburg, Va. | May 7, 2026 – The Building People is pleased to announce that Matthew Moorehead has joined the company as Director of Integrated Facilities Management (IFM), strengthening the firm’s ability to deliver high-performing facilities operations, maintenance, and engineering solutions that help clients improve reliability, performance, and mission outcomes.

In this role, Matthew will help lead the strategic and tactical execution of The Building People’s IFM business line, supporting client relationships, operational delivery, team leadership, and business growth initiatives across the portfolio. The position is designed to advance financial and operational performance, mentor program teams, and expand the company’s integrated facilities capabilities in key markets.

Matthew brings more than a decade of facilities management, engineering operations, and technical leadership experience across complex commercial, healthcare, industrial, and distribution environments. His background includes senior leadership roles supporting large client portfolios at CBRE, Cushman & Wakefield, and Diversified Thermal Services, where he led engineering teams, preventive maintenance programs, client service strategies, vendor management, CMMS implementation support, and operational improvements across hundreds of facilities and millions of square feet.

Most recently, Matthew served as Senior Executive Account Manager at Diversified Thermal Services, where he focused on strategic client relationships, retention, escalation management, and growth. Prior to that, he was Director of Engineering on CBRE’s McKesson account, supporting operations across more than 200 facilities in the U.S. and Canada, and earlier led engineering and facilities operations for major portfolios serving healthcare and logistics clients.

“Matthew brings the kind of operational leadership, technical depth, and client-first mindset that aligns strongly with how we serve our customers,” said Lawrence A. Melton, President and CEO of The Building People. “His experience leading large, distributed facilities portfolios and building strong performance-driven teams will further strengthen our Integrated Facilities Management capabilities as we continue to grow.”

Matthew’s experience spans facility operations, electrical systems, HVAC, building maintenance, team development, compliance-focused environments, and customer relationship management. His career reflects a practical, results-oriented approach to improving service delivery while helping clients operate more efficiently and effectively.

As Director of IFM, Matthew will help advance The Building People’s commitment to delivering smart, responsive, and mission-aligned facilities services that support the built environment at every level.

About the Building People

The Building People delivers integrated solutions that combine smart building technology, real estate strategy, full lifecycle 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.

Experienced federal portfolio leader expands the firm’s ability to advance smarter planning, asset management, and infrastructure decision-making

Leesburg, Va. | April 29, 2026 –

The Building People welcomes Caitlin Bevans as Director of Digital Facilities and Technology Innovation, strengthening the company’s ability to help federal agencies manage facilities, infrastructure, and real property through more connected, data-informed strategies.

In this role, Caitlin will lead the development and delivery of solutions that support federal asset management, infrastructure planning, and portfolio decision-making. She will help guide initiatives focused on digital platforms, data integration, and technology-enabled planning across the federal market.

Caitlin brings more than 15 years of experience leading complex real property, infrastructure, and financial management initiatives across federal civilian and Department of Defense (DoD) environments.

Most recently, Caitlin served as Real Property & Infrastructure Portfolio Director at ManTech International, where she directed a portfolio of more than 10 DoD and federal civilian programs, led a growth pipeline exceeding $300 million, and served as an executive point of contact for government stakeholders and partners. Earlier in her career, she managed the U.S. Air Force Comprehensive Planning Platform and supported major planning, programming, and asset management efforts for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“Caitlin brings a rare combination of strategic leadership, federal mission understanding, and practical experience helping agencies improve how they plan, prioritize, and manage complex portfolios,” said Lawrence A. Melton, President and CEO of The Building People. “Her experience across real property, infrastructure, and digital transformation aligns directly with our clients’ goals and our firm’s commitment to delivering meaningful results.”

“Federal agencies need more than disconnected tools. They need practical, integrated solutions that help them plan better, prioritize investments, and manage facilities and infrastructure with confidence,” said Caitlin. “I’m excited to join The Building People and help expand the firm’s ability to deliver digital innovation that supports mission performance and long-term portfolio value.”

Caitlin holds a Master of Management Studies from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts from Duke University. She also holds Project Management Professional, Certified ScrumMaster, and ISO 55000 Asset Management Fundamentals credentials.

About the Building People

Industry discussion convenes leaders from the U.S. and APAC to examine evolving smart building architectures, delivery models, and global market priorities

Leesburg, Va. | April 33, 2026 – Global perspectives on smart building architectures and portfolio optimization models took center stage on April 10 as industry leaders from the United States, Japan, and across the Asia-Pacific region gathered in Washington, D.C. for Global Smart Building Architectures: Approaches Compared from the US to APAC, hosted by The Building People at the Newmark Building.

Held following Tridium’s Niagara Summit 2026, the event created an opportunity for industry peers to continue the conversation around how smart buildings are evolving across regions and what it takes to move from connected systems to measurable business and operational outcomes.

The roundtable explored how regional requirements, market conditions, and rapidly evolving technology are shaping solution design and deployment strategies around the world. Discussion topics included advanced solution architectures, digital-first delivery models, real-world implementation considerations, and the differences in how organizations in the U.S. and APAC are approaching modernization.

The event featured an interactive panel and roundtable discussion followed by networking and lunch, giving attendees the opportunity to exchange perspectives, build relationships, and continue conversations sparked during the week’s Niagara Summit discussions.

“Bringing together building technology leaders and asset owners from the U.S. and APAC made for a valuable and timely conversation,” said Trevor Morrison, VP of Energy, Environment & Smart Buildings at The Building People. “As organizations across the globe work to modernize their portfolios, there is real value in comparing approaches, sharing lessons learned, and discussing the architecture patterns and delivery models that can help move from connected systems to measurable outcomes.”

Through events like this, The Building People continues to support industry dialogue around smarter, more integrated approaches to building performance, operational efficiency, and digital transformation across the built environment.

About The Building People

At The Building People, our people are at the center of everything we do. In this month’s Employee Spotlight Q&A, we’re excited to introduce Christine Abod, Director of Occupier Services.

Learn more about Christine’s background and role below:

What is your professional background?

30 years in the federal government, where I gained hands‑on experience managing real estate in complex, mission‑driven environments. Leading teams responsible for large, sophisticated facilities required balancing operational demands, regulatory requirements, and long‑term portfolio objectives. Managing expansive campus environments reinforced the importance of integrated operations, strong portfolio management, and continuous optimization in creating efficient, high‑performing workplaces. I now bring that perspective forward, translating government‑sector rigor and scale into practical, value‑driven solutions for the commercial sector.

What is your role at The Building People?

Director of Occupier Services.

Can you tell us about the work you do at The Building People?

As Director of Occupier Services, I lead a multidisciplinary team focused on helping clients maximize the value of their real estate portfolios by aligning how space is planned, utilized, and managed with organizational performance and mission outcomes. My work focuses on aligning federal priorities and delivering customer experience that exceeds expectations.

What do you like most about working in your role?

What I enjoy most is the opportunity to build strong, trusted relationships with clients and team members, partnering closely to navigate change and create workplace solutions that are practical, effective and aligned with business needs.

How do you define success?

I define success as clients feeling supported, understood and confident in their workplace decisions and knowing our team helped make that possible.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

I’ve always wanted to learn multiple languages so I can better connect with the people I meet when I travel.

What is a fun fact about you that people might not know?

One of my favorite books is The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

Do you have a favorite quote that resonates with you?

“The only real failure is giving up.” – John Wooden

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

To be honest with customers and bring them in early when problems arise. Bad news doesn’t get better with time.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of to date?

My four kids have to be my proudest accomplishment. A close second would be the fact I’m a millionaire in Animal Crossing!

Christine’s Family Portrait in Animal Crossing

At The Building People, our people are at the center of everything we do. In this month’s Employee Spotlight Q&A, we’re excited to introduce Mathew Molfetta, Senior Recruiter.

Learn more about Mat’s background and role below:

What is your professional background?

I began my career in residential property management for a small LLC, overseeing single and small multi-family rentals in the Long Island/NYC area. After earning my Bachelor’s in Business Management, I transitioned into recruiting for the facilities management and construction industries, where I’ve spent the past eight years. In April, I’ll have been with the building people for 4 years.

What is your role at The Building People?

At TBP I am a Senior Recruiter.

Can you tell us about the work you do at The Building People?

As a Senior Recruiter at TBP, I manage staffing for our Facilities Management and O&M divisions. I work closely with project managers across our operational sites to ensure we hire top talent and maintain the high performance our customers have come to expect.

What do you like most about working in your role?

What I love about my role is that it allows me to do what I do best–connect with new people every day. Each conversation gives me the opportunity to learn something new and continue growing both personally and professionally.

How do you define success?

To me, success is about collective achievement and perseverance. It’s not just reaching a goal, but how you and your team get there by supporting one another, adapting through challenges, and staying determined even when things get tough.

If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?

Fly a plane.

What is a fun fact about you that people might not know?

In my younger years, I aspired to pursue a career in music performance. I played drums and percussion throughout high school and later performed with the New York Youth Symphony–one of the top youth orchestras in the country. That experience gave me the incredible opportunity to play at renowned venues, including Carnegie Hall.

Do you have a favorite quote that resonates with you?

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t take life too seriously.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of to date?

Starting a family last year and welcoming my beautiful daughter Leila Molfetta into the world!

Nothing better than family!

Experienced proposal leader joins the growing team to strengthen federal pursuit support, submission quality, and scalable proposal operations.

Leesburg, Va. | April 13, 2026 – The Building People is pleased to announce that Tim Becker has joined the company as Associate Director of Proposals, bringing more than 20 years of experience in federal proposal management, capture support, and business development operations to the team. His addition supports the company’s continued focus on building the infrastructure, processes, and leadership needed to pursue strategic growth across its expanding federal portfolio.

Tim Becker
*Associate Director of Proposals*

Tim has built his career around helping organizations develop clear, disciplined, and effective proposal operations. His experience spans the full proposal lifecycle, from capture support and compliance planning through writing, editing, production, and submission. Across his career, he has supported Department of Defense, federal civilian, and commercial pursuits, with a strong track record of helping teams respond to complex opportunities with consistency, accuracy, and strategic focus.

In his new role, Tim will help lead and grow The Building People’s proposal function, working closely with capture, business development, and executive leadership to strengthen proposal quality, improve coordination across teams, and create a more scalable foundation for future growth. His role will also support the continued development of tools, workflows, and knowledge resources that make it easier for teams to deliver compliant, compelling submissions in a fast-moving federal market.

“Tim brings the kind of experience, discipline, and operational perspective that is essential to building a strong proposal function,” said Lawrence A. Melton, President and CEO of The Building People. “His background in leading complex submissions, improving proposal processes, and supporting strategic growth will help strengthen how we pursue opportunities and position our company for continued success.”

Before joining The Building People, Tim held senior proposal leadership roles at Agile Defense, CALIBRE Systems, OMNIPLEX, EMC, and BOH Environmental. Throughout those roles, he managed proposals from capture through submission, developed proposal processes and templates, led color team reviews, supported content libraries and SharePoint-based collaboration, and helped improve operations through standardization and continuous process improvement.

Tim joins The Building People at an important time in the company’s growth. His experience will help strengthen the systems and structure behind the pursuit process, supporting the company’s expansion, ambitious growth targets, and continued success delivering value in a highly competitive federal marketplace.

About The Building People

Seasoned smart buildings leader strengthens the company’s ability to deliver connected, high-performing building environments.

Leesburg, Va. | April 6, 2026 – Erin DeFrieze has joined The Building People as Technical Director of Smart Buildings Solutions, adding a respected technical leader to support the company’s continued growth in smart buildings, systems integration, and digital building modernization.

Erin DeFrieze
Technical Director of Smart Buildings Solutions

DeFrieze brings nearly three decades of experience in building automation, controls, and systems integration. Her career has focused on helping organizations connect complex building systems, improve operational performance, and create more consistent, future-ready environments. She joins The Building People with a strong background in technical leadership, project delivery, engineering standards, and team development across a wide range of building technologies and platforms.

In her new role, DeFrieze will help lead the technical direction and execution of The Building People’s Smart Buildings Solutions work. By supporting complex client initiatives, strengthening delivery standards, and lending experience to the team, she will help clients navigate the growing demand for interoperable, data-driven building systems that improve performance across the built environment.

“Erin brings an exceptional combination of technical expertise, industry knowledge, and leadership experience to The Building People,” said Lawrence Melton, CEO of The Building People. “As demand continues to grow for smarter, more connected building environments, her ability to guide complex technical solutions and develop high-performing teams will be a tremendous asset to our clients and our company.”

Before joining The Building People, DeFrieze held leadership roles at Stantec and Lynxspring, along with earlier engineering roles at Davenport Trane, Baker Group, and Quint Co. Her experience spans project leadership, systems integration, technical training, and the development of scalable practices that improve quality and consistency across delivery teams.

“Erin’s depth of experience and technical credibility make her a strong addition to our team,” said Trevor Morrison, VP of Energy, Environment, and Smarter Buildings at The Building People. “She knows how to bring together systems, people, and processes in a way that helps clients get more value from their buildings, and that is exactly the kind of leadership we want to continue building within our smart buildings practice.”

DeFrieze joins The Building People at a time of growing demand for smarter, more unified building environments. Her leadership will help the company continue delivering solutions that improve performance, simplify complexity, and create lasting operational impact for clients.

About The Building People

Latest recognition adds to the company’s growing history of regional honors from Inc.

Leesburg, Va. | April 1, 2026 – The Building People has been named No. 96 on the 2026 Inc. Regionals: Mid-Atlantic list, recognizing the company among the fastest-growing private businesses in the region.

The recognition adds to The Building People’s growing history of regional honors from Inc. and reflects the company’s continued presence on the Inc. Regionals: Mid-Atlantic list across multiple consecutive years—an achievement that highlights sustained performance, consistent delivery, and long-term momentum in a highly competitive market.

“Earning another Inc. Regional ranking is a meaningful reflection of the trust our clients place in us and the dedication our team brings to every engagement,” said Lawrence A. Melton, President and CEO of The Building People. “This recognition speaks to the strength of our business, the value of our integrated approach, and our continued commitment to helping clients improve performance by connecting technology, buildings, and people.”

Inc.’s Regionals program recognizes the fastest-growing private companies across seven U.S. regions, highlighting businesses that have demonstrated strong growth and momentum within their markets.

The Building People continues to build on its momentum by delivering integrated solutions that support smarter buildings, stronger workplace performance, and more effective operations. Through expertise spanning real estate, facilities, workforce transformation, and building technology, the company helps clients solve complex challenges and unlock long-term value across the built environment.

About The Building People

Recognition reflects sustained business growth and an expanding impact across the region.

Leesburg, Va. | March 18, 2026 – The Building People has earned placement on Washington Business Journal 2026 Book of Lists, ranking No. 109 among Private Companies marking the fifth time the company has been included among the region’s leading organizations.

Published annually, the Book of Lists highlights leading organizations shaping the Greater Washington region’s economy. The Building People’s fifth appearance reflects sustained growth and a culture rooted in opportunity, collaboration, and professional growth.

“Being recognized on two Washington Business Journal lists this year is a meaningful achievement for our team,” said Lawrence Melton, CEO & President of The Building People. “Ranking among the region’s top private companies reflects our continued growth and strong partnerships, reinforces our focus on building high-performing teams that bring credibility, thought leadership, and diverse experiences and skills to deliver strong results for our clients.”

The company’s ranking among Private Companies signals steady revenue growth and expanding impact across federal real estate, occupier services, integrated facilities management, and building technology solutions.

Looking ahead, The Building People continues to grow while performance, collaboration, and respect remain foundational to how the company operates and delivers stronger partnerships, better outcomes, and lasting impact for the organizations it serves.

About The Building People

Leesburg, VA – February 25, 2026 Lawrence Melton, CEO & President of The Building People, returns to the Realcomm IBcon Advisory Council for 2026 to leverage his strategic leadership in shaping next-generation practices in intelligent buildings, digital facilities transformation, and integrated real estate operations.

As one of the pioneers advancing smart building and AI technology across the Federal sector for over 20 years, Melton brings deep expertise shaped by his prior service on the Advisory Council and more than 15 years of participation in Realcomm and IBcon events—experience that has helped advance actionable insights bridging technology, building operations, and portfolio performance. This appointment reflects his deep industry experience and commitment to advancing how organizations leverage data, automation, and technology innovation across the built environment.

Realcomm and IBcon events convene senior executives from commercial real estate, facilities, and technology to address the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Advisory Council members help identify emerging priorities, shape strategic themes, and guide conference programming toward real-world impact that benefits owners, occupiers, and the broader built environment community.

“I’m honored to serve on the Realcomm’s 2026 IBcon Advisory Council to help advance the conversations that matter most,” said Melton. “Our industry is at a pivotal moment where digital tools, operational intelligence, and integrated facilities strategies are redefining how buildings perform and deliver value for tenants and owners. I look forward to contributing perspectives that help organizations transform innovation into measurable performance, efficiency, and strategic advantage.”

As an Advisory Council member, Melton will work with an experienced group of other forward-thinking leaders to guide discussions and programming around smart building integration, digital transformation, data-driven decision-making, and the practical intersection of technology and facilities operations. Melton’s selection reinforces The Building People’s leadership in bridging people, process, and technology to drive stronger performance outcomes across complex portfolios and mission-critical environments.

The Realcomm | IBcon 2026 conference will take place June 2–4, 2026, in San Diego, California, bringing together senior decision-makers and industry thought leaders to explore innovation and strategies shaping the built environment.

About The Building People