With Tonello stepping into new role, Consigli Construction names leader for Portland office

Consigli Construction Co. Inc. has announced the appointment of Dave Thomas as director of operations in its Portland office.

Thomas will manage day-to-day functions, business strategy and team leadership for Consigli's Maine operations.

He has been at Consigli for 20 years and has a proven track record of leading some of the largest and most challenging projects in the academic, health care and life sciences markets.

He takes over from longtime Director of Operations Matt Tonello, who will shift his duties to client relationships and the firm's initiatives with mass timber.

“I have been fortunate to work alongside Dave for two decades, and his dedication to our team and to our clients is unmatched,” said Tonello, whose title will be project executive. “I look forward to our continued partnership as Dave keeps leading Consigli’s people, projects and operations in Maine through his passion, leadership and commitment to excellence.”

Thomas’ promotion to will allow Tonello to focus on key client relationships, the firm said.

Tonello will continue to serve in a leadership role that builds on his mass timber expertise and will provide executive level guidance and oversight of Consigli’s most complex projects.

Consigli is based in Milford, Mass.

What's ahead

Thomas take over a number of projects in the works as well as projects still in the planning stages.

Consigli has been hired by IDEALS to build the future home of the Roux Institute of Northeastern University (which is now based in Fore Street space leased from WEX Inc.).

The ambitious project will take over the former B&M baked bean factory and also includes significant new construction. The mixed-use project is still working its way through city planning process, but is expected to include classrooms and office space, housing and some restaurant and retail frontage.

Elsewhere in Portland, Consigli is working on renovations on two historic buildings on Middle Street: 121 Middle St., also known as the Thompson Block, and 178 Middle St., known as the Boyd Block. Both are owned by East Brown Cow.

In Portland, Consigli recently finished renovation of the Preti Flaherty headquarters at One City Center.

In Orono, Tyler Technologies just got certificate of occupancy for a new building where Consigli was the construction manager.  

In East Boothbay, Consigli is managing construction of the 25,000-square-foot, $30 million Center for Ocean Education and Innovation at Bigelow Laboratory. Work started in October 2023.