MICHAEL EMEM
CEO | Emem Group & MESH Construction
Michael is a proven leader in the built industry with over 20 years’ experience in architectural design, construction management and real estate development. A Milwaukee native, he has managed over $500M in construction and development projects, including over 800 housing units. His career objective is to create socially responsible real estate projects in areas that have historically lacked investment, and his company’s mission statement is simple – to build communities and revitalize neighborhoods.
Michael graduated from UW-Milwaukee with a B.B.A. in Finance and a Real Estate Certificate. He also holds an A.S. Architectural Technology from Milwaukee Area Technical College. Michael is also a graduate, and Valedictorian of the 2015 ACRE class and was a Milwaukee Business Journal 40 Under 40 recipient at age 25.
SCOTT DREES
Vice President of Construction
Scott brings over 25 years of experience in all facets of construction, development and operations management. His attention to detail brings clarity, phenomenal response time and communication coupled with a broad spectrum of field related solutions to project challenges as they arise while under construction. Scott also provides constructability reviews ahead of construction. His hands-on approach to building relationships with architects, engineers, contractors and professional consultants has resulted in the best deliverable approaches and adherence to schedule, budgets and plans. Clients seek his personable demeanor and have come to rely on Scott for a winning combination of sophistication, cost structure, and an unwavering commitment to client satisfaction.
Scott has extensive experience of multiple levels in the construction industry including the development and construction of over 1,200 multi-family units. He also managed the construction of multiple commercial projects including retail, office and industrial.
Scott earned a B.S. in Construction Management from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is LEED AP BD + C certified.
MATT MELENDES
Vice President of Development
Matt is a respected leader with over 20 years of real estate development and finance experience with special emphasis on tax credit projects. Matt holds a master’s degree in urban studies and in addition to his experience as a real estate developer, he has experience as a community organizer. He also has underwriting, grant management, fundraising, compliance, and reporting experience both as a lender and borrower.
Matt is responsible for real estate development projects from concept to completion. His duties include proforma development, tax credit applications, securing funding and entitlements, managing the closing process, preparing monthly draw requests, and managing project budgets through stabilization.
Matt earned a B.S. in Biomedical Science from Marquette University and an M.S. in Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He also earned the Housing Development Finance Professional Certification from the National Development Council (Grow America).
DEVON ELLIS, Ph.D., P.E.
Director of Design | Sr. Project Manager
Devon has three decades experience in the construction and development industry performing civil and structural engineering, building inspection and construction management services. He is a conscientious professional with an extremely high level of technical competence that has played a vital role in some of the most difficult construction projects in recent history, both locally and across the nation.
Devon is dedicated to the revitalization of Milwaukee’s central city and has partnered on several community focused projects throughout his career. He has also served as an adjunct professor at Milwaukee School of Engineering.
Devon holds a Ph.D. Structural Engineering and Management Science, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, a M.S. Structural Engineering, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and a B.S. Civil Engineering, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad.
HUMBERTO SANCHEZ
Co-Founder & President | MESH Construction
Humberto is a detail-oriented construction professional with proven talent for executing projects in fast-paced environments, with adherence to time, budget, and quality expectations. He is methodical thinker proficient at adapting under pressure, implementing Lean techniques and driving continuous improvements to enhance overall efficiency, safety, and compliance. Humberto is respected for leveraging exceptional interpersonal and communication skills to build strong working relationships with diverse individuals.
Humberto is a versatile project manager with 15+ years of experience leading multimillion-dollar new construction projects in various areas, such as public schools, apartment buildings, garden style residential communities, senior living, design build, industrial, and office.
Humberto has a B. S. Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.
