Chad Maxwell, principal construction project manager at Consor, has been recognized as a 2025 Phenom for a career that spans three decades and has helped shape some of the most significant transportation and infrastructure projects across Oregon and Southwest Washington. His path began humbly on job sites after high school, working alongside his father, and has evolved into a leadership role guiding large, complex public works programs.
Maxwell earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Portland State University and initially entered the industry as a transportation design engineer. But it wasn’t long before he discovered that his strengths—and passion—were rooted in the field. That realization led him into construction inspection and ultimately construction management, where he built a reputation for bridging technical expertise with practical, collaborative leadership on active job sites.
Since joining Consor during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Maxwell has helped transform the company’s construction services footprint. What began as a small three-person team in Oregon has expanded into a robust group of more than 50 professionals across Oregon and Southwest Washington. His leadership during a period of rapid growth solidified Consor’s standing as a top partner to agencies such as the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Region 5 in Eastern Oregon.
Maxwell’s project portfolio includes work that has received national and regional recognition. He played a major role in the award-winning Boones Ferry Road Project, which earned the American Public Works Association’s Transportation Project of the Year distinction. The effort involved a challenging full reconstruction of nearly a mile of roadway through Lake Oswego’s commercial corridor and included the undergrounding of all overhead utilities—work critical to improving safety, aesthetics, and long-term reliability.
He also oversaw the Rockwood Package 1 water infrastructure project, which delivered a new 6-million-gallon above-ground reservoir and rehabilitated a 4-million-gallon tank. The upgrades enabled the Rockwood Water People’s Utility District to gain independence from Portland’s water system—an important milestone in the region’s water resilience.
Maxwell’s impact can also be seen in his leadership on ODOT’s ADA initiatives. He supervised the construction of 310 ADA-compliant ramps across three highways and in downtown Baker City as part of ODOT’s pilot program. At Consor, he has spearheaded modernization efforts for ODOT’s ADA Construction Management Program, instituting detailed constructability reviews to eliminate design issues early and minimize costly field changes. He also developed a lessons-learned feedback loop that transforms project challenges into training tools for both Consor and ODOT teams.
Erica Rooney, public works director for the City of Lake Oswego, said Maxwell “brings a unique balance of adherence to standards and problem-solving to his projects.”
Maxwell remains active beyond day-to-day project work. He frequently presents at ACEC, APWA, and ODOT conferences, sharing insights on project delivery and construction best practices. He also contributes to his community, serving as treasurer for his daughters’ soccer teams and volunteering at school sporting events.
In his nomination form, Consor marketing director Erin Reed highlighted what makes Maxwell stand out among industry leaders. “What truly sets Chad apart is his ability to foster a culture of collaboration and trust,” Reed wrote. “He leads with humility and empathy, creating an environment where team members and clients alike feel valued and supported.”
Maxwell’s recognition as a Phenom underscores the far-reaching influence of his career—from hands-on fieldwork to strategic leadership shaping the future of infrastructure delivery across the region.
Originally reported by DJC Staff in DJC Oregon.
