Meet the Team

Newman
Construction & Design

Building with intention

family owners by company vehicle

Meet Your Construction & Design Team

Paul Newman

OWNER / OPERATIONS MANAGER / LICENSED RESIDENTIAL BUILDER

Shaun Berkheiser

OWNER / BUSINESS MANAGER

Joe Newman

SENIOR ADVISOR / LICENSED RESIDENTIAL BUILDER

Patty Newman

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

Elijah Lussier

PROJECT MANAGER

Vicky Dunithan

OFFICE MANAGER

Britney Fedricks

DIRECTOR OF INTERIOR DESIGNER

Shayna Niss

SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER

Sarah Bourke

ASSISTANT INTERIOR DESIGNER

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Paul Newman, Owner / Operations Manager / Licensed Residential Builder

Paul Newman is an Owner and Operations Manager at Newman Construction & Design, overseeing daily operations, project execution, and quality control across all construction projects. A second-generation builder, Paul is deeply committed to the craftsmanship, professionalism, and integrity that have defined the family business for more than three decades. Before returning to Newman Construction, he built his background in large-scale commercial construction, with experience on high-rise buildings, hospitals, athletic facilities, distribution centers, and other complex projects-experience that continues to shape his practical, detail-driven approach.

Paul serves on the Executive Board of the Home Builders Association of Western Michigan and the Calhoun Area Career Center Construction Advisory Board. He maintains strong relationships throughout the Battle Creek and Springfield communities and is deeply invested in supporting the local building industry.

Continuing the company his parents, Joe and Patty Newman, built is a responsibility Paul takes seriously. His focus is on honoring their legacy while guiding Newman Construction forward through consistent quality, trusted relationships, and long-term growth.

Shaun Berkheiser, Owner / Business Manager

Shaun Berkheiser is an Owner and Business Manager at Newman Construction & Design, overseeing the company’s financial, administrative, and internal operations. His responsibilities include bookkeeping and financial management, contracts and billing, warranty coordination, employee relations, office operations, and client communication. He works closely with office staff, superintendents, trade partners, and clients to support clear communication, accurate documentation, and efficient problem-solving-helping ensure projects run smoothly from preconstruction through completion.

Before joining Newman Construction & Design, Shaun built extensive experience leading and supporting multiple departments at Stryker, where he developed a strong foundation in process improvement, accountability, and cross-functional team leadership.

As part of the next generation of ownership, Shaun is committed to building on the strong foundation established by the Newman family. His focus is on strengthening internal operations while supporting the craftsmanship, integrity, and long-term relationships that define Newman Construction.

Joe Newman, Senior Advisor/Licensed Residential Builder

Joseph Newman is the Senior Advisor and former owner of Newman Construction. He co-founded the company in 1991 with his wife, Patty Newman, and played a foundational role in its growth and long-term success. After retiring from the Battle Creek Police Department as a Police Commander in 2000, Joe transitioned fully into the construction industry, bringing with him a strong foundation of leadership, discipline, and operational oversight developed through a distinguished public service career.

In his role as Senior Advisor, Joe supports the company across multiple areas of operation, including permit applications, quality control, assistance with estimating, and providing guidance wherever additional support is needed. His continued involvement helps ensure projects meet Newman Construction’s long-standing standards for craftsmanship, regulatory compliance, and execution.

Over the course of his career, Joe has built 85 custom homes—and counting—and has completed more than 1,500 residential and commercial construction projects. He has also been actively involved in industry leadership, having served on the board of directors of the National Association of Home Builders, the Home Builders Association of Michigan, and the Home Builders Association of Western Michigan.

Joe’s depth of experience, industry knowledge, and commitment to excellence continue to make him an invaluable asset to Newman Construction as the company moves forward.

Patty Newman, Senior Project Manager

Patty Newman is the Senior Project Manager and former owner of Newman Construction. She and her husband, Joseph Newman, founded the company in 1991 and led its growth for more than three decades. During that time, Patty played a central role in establishing Newman Construction’s reputation for quality craftsmanship, dependable execution, and client-focused service.

In her role as Senior Project Manager, Patty oversees projects from project start through final completion. Her responsibilities include coordinating schedules and construction timelines, managing the internal carpentry workforce, ordering materials, and ensuring each phase of construction progresses efficiently and according to plan.

Throughout her career, Patty has worked in nearly every area of the business, including operations, bookkeeping, estimating, invoicing, scheduling, and project management. Her depth of experience, institutional knowledge, and hands-on leadership continue to make her an invaluable member of the Newman Construction management team.

Elijah Lussier, Project Manager

Elijah Lussier is one of the Project Managers at Newman Construction. He works closely with subcontractors, customers, and the internal team to keep projects organized, efficient, and on schedule. Clear communication and attention to detail are at the center of his approach.

With a background spanning business analysis, data management, and healthcare, Elijah brings a broad skill set to construction management. His past roles focused on process improvement, automation, and customer experience, all in fast-paced, high-stakes environments. This diverse foundation gives him a unique perspective, allowing him to combine efficiency with strong client relationships to deliver projects with precision and care.

Vicky Dunithan, Office Manager

Vicky manages all administrative tasks for Newman Construction. With a background in working for a municipality, she brings valuable experience to her role. Her organizational skills help keep daily operations running smoothly, from managing communications to assisting with project documentation. Vicky’s steady contributions help ensure the smooth operation of Newman Construction.

Britney Fedricks, Director of Interior Design

Britney earned her interior design degree from Michigan State University before launching her own brand. She’s honed her craft over a decade, excelling in residential, event, and commercial design. Her style blends modern trends with timeless elements, creating comfortable and visually appealing spaces. Britney’s mission is to enrich lives through design, delivering tailored solutions that resonate with clients’ preferences. Proficient in 3D design, she collaborates with Newman Construction, maintaining their standard of excellence in design.

Shayna Niss, Senior Interior Designer

Shayna is an interior designer with over 13 years of experience creating beautiful, functional spaces. A Michigan State University graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design, she has worked in both Chicago and Michigan on residential and hospitality projects. Shayna is passionate about blending beauty and comfort to create spaces people truly enjoy.

Sarah Bourke, Assistant Interior Designer

Sarah is our Assistant Interior Designer, and she will keep our projects on track and organized! Her passion for design and sweet personality contribute to her keen ability to build trusting relationships with our clients. Sarah’s favorite part of interior design work is adding layers to spaces with textures, wallpaper, furniture, and décor. When not designing, you can find Sarah enjoying the early mornings, decorating her home, and spending time with her family and friends!

Terms and Conditions

Welcome to Newman Construction’s SMS Program. By signing up, you agree to the following terms and conditions:

Program Name: Newman Construction Messaging Program

Opting In
By signing up for our SMS Program, you consent to receive informational messages via text. Consent is not required for purchases. Message and data rates may apply. The frequency may vary based on your engagement.

Message Frequency
You will receive periodic messages from Newman Construction. Message frequency may vary depending on your preferences and engagement.

Opting Out
To stop receiving texts, reply STOP to any message. You may receive a confirmation text upon opting out. Only these exact commands will be honored.

Program Description
Messages may include project updates, and information about Newman Construction services and projects.

Cost and Frequency
Standard messaging and data rates apply. Message frequency will vary depending on your engagement with the program.

Support
If you need help, please reply HELP to any message, email accounts@newmanconstruction.com, or call us at (269) 968-1290. Opt-outs must be completed via text.

Privacy Policy

We will not share your opt-in to an SMS campaign with any third party for purposes unrelated to providing you with the services of that campaign. We may share your Personal Data, including your SMS opt-in or consent status, with third parties that help us provide our messaging services, including but not limited to platform providers, phone companies, and any other vendors who assist us in the delivery of text messages. For more information about how we handle your data, see our full privacy policy at Contact – Newman Construction & Design – Battle Creek Custom Homes