With nearly 40 years of specialty building experience, ILEX is a full-service construction firm with a unique portfolio of architecturally-designed projects. We proactively deliver the highest quality construction and renovation projects while providing an unparalleled caliber of customer service.
Placing great emphasis on communication and accounting transparency, our clients’ preliminary and final budgets are consistently met through careful cost control, aggressive schedules and value-engineering. These practices help earn our clients’ trust and form the foundation for enduring relationships.
Our employee owned company is equally dedicated to quality craftsmanship. Our exceptional project management and field teams are experienced…professional…trustworthy…and above all, masters of their trades. Get to know our management team members below.
Doug Croker
Founder and Chairman of the Board
Armed with a love of classical Jeffersonian architecture and an old-world ethic based on pride of workmanship, Doug Croker founded ILEX in 1986. Doug began his career in the construction industry in the 1970s with a fledgling building company which later formed the foundation for ILEX. As ILEX’s Founder and CEO, Doug has earned the trust and respect of many of the nation’s foremost architects and has forged strong and lasting relationships with multiple generations of property owners.
R.J. Cooper
CEO
Over the past two decades, R.J. Cooper has managed many of ILEX’s signature projects. R.J. holds a BS from the University of Florida’s M.E. Rinker Sr. School of Building Construction, and he earned his MBA at Johns Hopkins University. While overseeing pre-construction and project management, R.J. especially enjoys the final stages of a project…when the last details, systems commissioning and owner move-in all come together. In his off time, R.J. is a volunteer youth sports coach, an avid competitive sailor and an aspiring musician.
Ernie O’Brien,
VP of Construction
With Ilex for 20 years, and over 40 years in building, Ernie has deep knowledge in all areas of construction and project management. Ernie enjoys the early stages of a project including the ground-breaking, installation of roads and utilities as well as foundation work and framing. He mentors the project managers and site supervisors, assisting to help smoothly transition between different phases of the project and coordinating with owners, inspectors and subcontractors. Ernie is a very early riser; first in the office and the field. Ernie’s kryptonite is his wonderful grandchildren.
Nancy Black
Chief Operating Officer
Leading our Contract Management team to ensure that projects are delivered on schedule and within budget, Nancy helps to identify areas that might need more attention and clarification. Her teams source design selections from architects and owners, track labor, secure contracts and anticipate construction sequencing. She is a registered architect with a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Virginia and has also taught at the University of Notre Dame. Nancy enjoys yearly trips to Cornwall to paint and hike.
Kari Mason
Controller
Kari has more than 35 years of experience in residential construction accounting and has been with Ilex Construction since 2013. She holds a BS in Accounting from Liberty University and an MBA with a concentration in Innovation from James Madison University. In addition to leading the accounting function, Kari supports the Board of Directors with strategic financial insight as Ilex continues to grow as an employee-owned company. Outside of work, she enjoys historical fiction, writing, and dreams of one day having a small petting zoo of miniature farm animals.
Mark Bennett
VP, Project Management
With 24 years of project management experience with Ilex, Mark interfaces with the Easton and Middleburg teams to direct all aspects of construction and has a special interest in materials and methods. Mark keeps up to date with both construction and project management technology and has a unique interest in building science. Mark works with a team that self performs high end carpentry, which is an asset to our projects. Mark enjoys being out on the water, camping in high style and biking on a regular basis.
