Bold, white logo for "BRIEN Construction" in all caps on a transparent background—perfect for a website header.
MENU
CLOSE

Lead With Integrity

ABOUT US

The Work Speaks
So Do Our Clients

Real experiences, real results—hear directly from our clients.

Why Choose Brien

Real feedback from clients who trust us to deliver commercial construction projects across Arizona—on time, with no excuses.

Hear from Architects & Designers

Proactive Communication

  • We lead with clarity, consistency, and zero guesswork—on site and off.
  • Tech like Procore and AI support our systems, but accountability drives them.
  • We stay ahead of issues so our clients and parnters never have to chase answers.

Execution You Can Trust

  • Clean, safe, well-run sites—every time.
  • Preconstruction precision that protects your budget and schedule.
  • Built with top-tier partners who work at our pace and standard.

Changing Lives Through Construction

Built With a Strong Foundation

Meet Our Team

At Brien Contracting, our story is built on a wide array of experience, grit, and a passion for doing things right. Founded in Arizona by a team with deep roots in both construction and commercial real estate, we’ve spent years mastering every phase of the building process—from dirt work to ribbon-cuttings. The Built by Brien difference is that our leaders bring a rare blend of hands-on expertise and business insight to your projects, shaped by decades of work across diverse industries.


Founded by Chris and Sheley Brien in 2017, our team blends hands-on construction expertise with sharp business instincts. Chris brings nearly two decades of experience in commercial real estate and construction, offering a well-rounded perspective from both the deal-making and building sides of the industry. With a foundation in brokerage and leasing, Chris transitioned into civil and vertical construction—working on everything from airports and roadways to commercial buildings in the southwest U.S. Sheley brings a uniquely diverse background and perspective, with a career spanning finance, pharmaceuticals, hospitality, media, and construction. From being a licensed stockbroker to restaurant ownership, each chapter has shaped her well-rounded approach to business leadership.

Man with a beard and mustache smiling, wearing a black collared shirt with "BRIEN Contracting" logo, representing a trusted Arizona commercial contractor, in front of a green circular background.

Chris Brien

President and CEO
A woman with long dark hair, wearing a black blazer, striped top, and gold necklace, smiles at the camera against a green circular background, representing a trusted Arizona commercial contractor.

Sheley Brien

Vice President and COO

Smiling older man with gray hair, wearing a black and white plaid shirt, poses confidently in front of a green background—a trusted Arizona commercial contractor ready to help with your next project.

John Back

CFO

Adam Berlin

Project Manager
A middle-aged man with short hair and a goatee, wearing a dark polo shirt with the "Brien Contracting" logo—a trusted Arizona commercial contractor—stands in front of a green circular background.

Shawn Freck

Superintendent
A bald man in a black "BRIEN CONTRACTING" shirt smiles at the camera, pictured against a green circular background, representing a trusted Arizona commercial contractor.

Mike Kipp

Superintendent

More Than Words.
It's How We Work.

Do the Right Thing

We take ownership fast and always act with integrity.

Invested Beyond Construction

We care about what you’re building—and why. On-time delivery means real impact for families and communities.

How can we?

There’s always a way. We stay solutions-focused, adaptable, and built to problem-solve.

Equally Yoked Leadership

Work with subcontractors, partners and clients who align with our values and pace.

Core Values

These are not a simple check-list but rather they are lived everyday by our teams, partners and clients.

These Core Values not only guide our business, but also how we lead, teach, and inspire our team. They shape every decision we make: who we hire, who we collaborate with, and how we show up. We don’t just talk about values, we embody them day in and day out.

Mentorship & Industry Leadership

View Portfolio

Building Stronger Futures

We believe better builders create a better industry. From mentorship to innovation, we’re invested in growing the next generation of leaders in commercial construction.

Mentoring
in Action

We mentor both our team and our trade partners—offering business guidance, leadership development, and honest feedback and insights to help them build stronger companies.

Partnerships
for Growth

We invest in partnerships that move construction forward—collaborating with subcontractors, organizations, and community leaders who share our standards and mindset.

Raising Industry Standards

Through active involvement, technology adoption, and values-driven leadership, we’re helping reshape what it means to lead in Arizona commercial construction.

Scroll to Top

Chris Brien

Founder and President

20+ years experience | Commercial Construction | Field-Driven Leadership | Arizona KB-1 & General A Licenses

Chris Brien is a seasoned construction executive with more than 20 years of experience across commercial real estate, heavy civil, vertical and horizontal construction, and materials operations. Before launching Brien Contracting, Chris built his career from the ground up—starting as a commercial broker, then leading roadway, bridges and pad development projects, and eventually owning a crushing company. His hands-on knowledge spans every stage of the build, from dirt work to final delivery.

As President of Brien Contracting, Chris sets the strategic direction and execution standards for the company. He’s deeply involved in preconstruction, field oversight, and client alignment—ensuring every project runs with clarity, communication, and discipline.

A certified commercial pilot with over 1,500 flight hours, Chris brings the same precision and systems-driven thinking to construction that he does to aviation. He holds both KB-1 and A General Engineering licenses in Arizona and is a member of NAIOP.

For Chris, leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about execution. He’s committed to building a company where the field gets what it needs, systems actually work, and promises are backed by results.

A man with a beard, wearing a blazer and dress shirt, stands outdoors in front of plants and a glass building, smiling at the camera.

Sheley Brien

Vice President and COO

2025 Titan 100 | 20+ years experience | Leadership | Systems | Strategy

Sheley Brien brings over two decades of cross-industry leadership experience to Brien Contracting. Her background spans finance, tech, media, pharmaceuticals, and business ownership—giving her a unique edge in building high-performing teams and systems. She didn’t follow a traditional path to leadership—and that’s exactly why she leads differently.

As Vice President and COO, Sheley is responsible for operational oversight, strategic growth, and company-wide performance. She works across departments to strengthen internal culture, align teams, and ensure Brien Contracting continues to deliver with excellence.

In 2025, Sheley was named a Titan 100—recognizing her as one of Arizona’s top CEOs and C-level executives shaping the future of business. She’s also an active member of AZCREW and Urban Land Institute (ULI), and regularly mentors women balancing entrepreneurship and family.

Outside of work, Sheley is a nationally ranked competitor in the sport of reining—a discipline that mirrors her leadership philosophy: high standards, consistency, and trust under pressure.

With a deep belief in service, systems, and strong partnerships, Sheley is helping reshape what leadership in commercial construction can look like. 

Sheley Brien, a woman with long dark hair wearing a black blazer and striped shirt, smiles against a blurred background of green plant leaves and a stone wall.

John Back

Serving Chief Financial Officer, Brien Contracting

40+ years experience | Financial Strategy | CPA | Commercial Construction & Real Estate 

John Back brings more than four decades of financial leadership to Brien Contracting serving as CFO. A licensed CPA and former managing partner at KPMG’s Las Vegas office, John led the firm’s national Gaming Services practice and later its Homebuilder division out of Phoenix. His client portfolio includes industry leaders like Del Webb, Meritage Homes, Maracay Homes, and Ashton Woods—giving him deep insight into real estate development, construction finance, and operational risk.
John oversees financial strategy, forecasting, and fiscal accountability at Brien Contracting. His role ensures the company remains agile, sustainable, and equipped to grow without compromising performance or trust.
What drew John to Brien Contracting? A leadership team that prioritizes service, integrity, and long-term client success. John is a member of the Arizona Society of CPAs and serves on the Board of Trustees for Childsplay, AZ. He believes Phoenix remains one of the most dynamic markets for construction—and is committed to ensuring Brien Contracting continues to lead with both financial clarity and operational excellence.

An older man with gray hair wearing a blue and white plaid shirt and jeans stands outdoors, smiling at the camera. Trees and rocks are visible in the background.

Adam Berlin

Project Manager

7 years experience | Commercial Construction | Strategic Systems & Field Execution 

Adam Berlin brings a process-focused mindset and a passion for continuous improvement to every commercial build. With experience across hospitality, warehouse, QSR, retail, mixed use, and medical sectors, Adam has led successful projects by prioritizing quality control, budget integrity, and schedule accuracy.

As a Project Manager at Brien Contracting, Adam is known for anticipating issues before they escalate, strengthening communication systems, and supporting subcontractor growth alongside client satisfaction. His leadership philosophy is rooted in building high-performing teams and bringing clarity to every phase of construction.

He holds OSHA 30 and AZ 310 Dust Control certifications and was nominated for a RED Builder Award in Phoenix. Adam joined Brien Contracting to keep raising the bar—for himself, for the field, and for the future of the industry. For him, construction is never static. Every job is a chance to build smarter, lead better, and stay a step ahead.

 

Shawn Freck

Superintendent

32 years experience | Commercial & Industrial Construction | Ground-Up & TI Projects

With over three decades of experience in the construction industry, Shawn Freck brings deep field knowledge and calm authority to every job site. His resume spans residential, commercial, and industrial builds—as well as ground-up and tenant improvement work for national brands like Walmart, Sprouts, and Texas Roadhouse.

As a Superintendent at Brien Contracting, Shawn oversees daily field operations, coordinates with owners and city officials, and ensures seamless communication between subcontractors, neighbors, and the internal team. Whether he’s troubleshooting in the field or navigating project requirements, Shawn is known for his ability to keep progress moving—and people aligned.

What drew him to Brien Contracting? Leadership with integrity. After decades in the industry, Shawn knows the value of working with owners who care deeply about the people and the process—not just the product.

He’s excited to be part of a team that balances traditional craftsmanship with forward-thinking execution. For Shawn, construction may be an old trade—but there’s always something new to learn, lead, or solve.

A man in a black "O'Brien" polo shirt stands outdoors with one hand in his pocket and a tape measure clipped to his jeans.

Mike Kipp

Superintendent

20+ years experience | Field Leadership | Commercial Construction | Schedule & Execution

Michael Kipp brings more than two decades of hands-on construction experience to his role as Superintendent at Brien Contracting. He learned the basics early—working job sites as a teenager before launching a career that included high-profile work in scenic carpentry for Disney, national concert tours, and brand experiences with Lexus and Mercedes-Benz. Those years taught him how to manage people, timelines, and complex logistics under pressure.

Today, Michael leads field operations with a focus on scheduling, subcontractor coordination, and day-to-day project execution. His top priority is maintaining open communication between clients, trades, and the BC team—ensuring alignment from kickoff to closeout.

Known for his field-first mindset, Michael brings a strong work ethic and a belief in building trust through human connection. For him, great construction isn’t just about plans and progress reports—it’s about bringing back the personal touch: handshakes, accountability, and face-to-face communication.

When he’s not leading on-site, Michael is a devoted single dad who finds restoration in fishing and the outdoors. He’s proud to be part of a team that values integrity, relationships, and building the right way.

A man with a shaved head is smiling and wearing a black "Brien Contracting" T-shirt, standing outdoors with a blurred building in the background, representing Sheley Brien’s team.