Obermeier Joins Williamson’s Board of Trustees

James J. Obermeier, president and CEO of CYMA Builders and Construction Managers, of Blue Bell, PA, has joined Williamson’s board of trustees, announced William J. Bonenberger 7W9, board chairman.

Bonenberger said, “I find it amazing how Williamson instantly clicks with certain people. They realize almost immediately that what Williamson does and how we do it is unique, and they understand that it changes young men’s lives forever. Jim is one of those guys!  He brings a lifetime of experience in the field of large scale construction management, and more recently, also in teaching construction management as an adjunct professor at Philadelphia University. Jim’s enthusiasm, experience, and desire to make a difference will go a long way in helping us move Williamson forward.”

President Michael Rounds said, “We are so excited to be gaining the construction experience that Jim Obermeier brings to our board of trustees. He has done it all in the construction world and we are thrilled that he has decided to share his proven record of success and his knowledge and expertise with us here at Williamson. The very first time he visited campus, I could see how quickly he connected with our students and our mission. He will be a great addition to the board and someone that will make a big impact here.”

Obermeier said, “I hope someday in the future, a young man from Williamson says Jim Obermeier in some small way made a difference in his life. I hope my participation on the board of trustees helps me reach that goal.”

Obermeier has over 35 years experience in the construction industry and, being a second generation builder, has a passion for building. At the age of 13, working in his father’s sheet metal shop, he gained his father’s high standards for building.

After graduating from high school, he went to Bala Consulting Engineers as an on-site project manager and owner’s representative on projects in Philadelphia, Texas, Kansas, Iowa, and Washington. He then became a project manger at Willard Mechanical, working on such projects as One Liberty Place, Thomas Jefferson Hospital, and the Franklin Institute.

With a desire to be a part of the entire construction process, he became an assistant project manager for W.H. Myers Construction. While there, he changed his entire view of the construction industry, learning the difference between being a contractor and a builder. He said, “As a builder, one invests himself in the project by paying attention to all the details. There is a level of pride that comes from creating something from where there was nothing.”

He then became a senior project manager for P. Agnes before moving in 1999 to CYMA Builders and Construction Managers as executive vice president and director of construction operations. Since becoming a senior partner in 2006, the company has grown to $135 million in total sales with five offices nationwide. CYMA focuses entirely in the science and technology market, building highly sophisticated facilities to service and support the pharmaceutical industry.

Obermeier studied construction management at Spring Garden College, is a Philadelphia master plumber, and has a contractor’s license in California, Texas, Alabama, and Virginia.

He and Lisa, his wife of 29 years, have two sons, Stephen, a graduate of LaSalle College High School and Temple University who works as a commissioning engineer in Ambler, PA, and Gregory, who will graduate from LaSalle College High School in May and attend Philadelphia University in the fall.

Obermeier enjoys old cars and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay.