Our People
Richard B. Strachan, President, Chief Executive Officer
Personal Achievements:
Graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1966. Professional affiliations have included the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Washington Building Congress, and Chi Epsilon honorary civil engineering fraternity.
Professional Career:
Mr. Strachan began his career with Whiting Turner Contracting in 1966. During his tenure as project manager, he completed such notable projects as the one million square foot Parklawn Office Building in Rockville, MD, and the multi-facility, IBM campus in Manassas, VA. In 1970, he joined Westwood Construction Corp. where he managed construction of numerous office projects, as well as a major addition to Jefferson Memorial Hospital. In 1979, Rich joined forces with Tom to incorporate as Fisher and Strachan.
Rich's engineering background, and experience with complex mechanical and electrical systems, contribute to Fisher and Strachan's proficiency in providing all-encompassing services to our clients.
Thomas F. Fisher, Vice President, Chief of Operations
Personal Achievements:
Graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 1970; from the University of Baltimore with a Juris Prudence in 1974. He is a member of the Washington Building Congress.
Professional Career:
Mr. Fisher started in the construction industry in 1971 as a commercial property manager for the predecessor to the Smithy Braedon Company. In 1974, he founded his own construction firm, performing painting and drywall work in the metropolitan Washington area. As Tom's reputation and list of clients expanded, he and Rich incorporated as Fisher and Strachan to provide full construction services to their clients. Tom's years of hands-on experience strengthen the prevailing sense of harmony between FSI's field personnel and company management. This provides for cohesive efforts on projects -- to everyone's advantage.
Denis J. McCarthy, Assistant Vice President, Operations
Personal Achievements:
Graduated from St. Leo's College, FL, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He is very active in the CYO of Washington D.C. and a member of the Washington Building Congress.
Professional Career:
After graduation from college, Mr. McCarthy began his career as a project manager in the construction of apartment buildings. In 1980, he established his own company with an emphasis on residential expansion and remodeling. As the company grew, it changed its focus to the renovation of office and retail space, as well as completing projects for Governmental Agencies. In 1988, Denis merged his business with Fisher and Strachan.
Denis's background as a successful small business owner enables him to better understand the challenges faced by organizations today. His hands-on experience with field personnel and systems, as seen from an entrepreneur 's perspective, enhances his ability to get things done. The addition of Denis's former clients -- including some leaders in the Washington area -- to Fisher and Strachan's list, was a benefit to both the clients and FSI.
Stephen "Pooh" Strachan, Vice President of Operations
Personal Achievements:
Graduated from Saint Francis College, PA, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1992. He was a scholarship athlete and participated in the NCAA basketball tournament in 1991. Pooh has successfully combined his civic mindedness with his enthusiasm for sports. He coached high school basketball for Saint John's College High School, his alma mater, and regularly participates in the fund raising campaigns for various local charities.
Professional Career:
Although Mr. Strachan officially joined the company upon graduation from college, his experience in the industry began during high school when he worked at the family business as a job site laborer. He started at the bottom and worked his way up the ladder to his present position of Vice President of Operations.
Pooh has created most of the management systems FSI uses - systems that allow the project manager and field team to maintain their outstanding record in completing projects successfully.
Charles "Beau" Strachan, Estimating
Personal Achievements:
Graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications in 1990.
Professional Career:
Upon graduation from college, Mr. Strachan founded his own firm in the film and TV production industry, utilizing professional construction skills acquired during his high school and college days working in the family business. He also formed a partnership to start a litigation support company offering a range of services to the local legal community.
The founders asked Beau to join the company in 1999 to fill a need created by increased business opportunities. Combining both his construction knowledge and attention to detail, Beau has taken on the role of Estimator, and works with existing clients as part of FSI's project development.
Bret Strachan, Manager
Personal Achievements:
Graduated from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1991.
Professional Career:
Upon graduation from college, Mr. Strachan worked as an operations manager for Aspen Systems in Rockville, MD. Three years later, Mr. Strachan went to work for the commercial real estate company Carey Winston. In 1996, Mr. Strachan was hired by the billion dollar technology consulting firm American Management Systems as their in house commercial real estate and construction manager. Mr. Strachan spent 17 years with AMS (later merged and became CGI Group) where as the Director of Corporate Real Estate in the US he was responsible for a portfolio of over 2.1 million square feet in 104 locations and over $60 million in annual expenses. Mr. Strachan’s team was responsible for all lease negotiations, space planning, construction and move coordination for all US operations.
Mr. Strachan joined the family business in 2015 brining a wider range of commercial real estate, construction and technology experience to help strategically position the company for the next 40 years of continued success.
Frank Fisher, Project Manager
Personal Achievements:
Graduated from Clemson University, South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science in Construction.
Professional Career:
Frank Fisher joined the FSI immediately upon graduation from Clemson University, bringing with him the fresh perspective from the classroom and implementing his knowledge and technological skills into the work place. Frank manages projects and specializes in providing and updating Construction Schedules utilizing the critical path / relationship methodology.