We have more than 35 years of experience in commercial interiors and secured facilities.
Palmer’s Contracting Group specializes in tenant construction and SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) construction in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We’ve built a reputation for professionalism, integrity and service that fosters lasting relationships with our clients and within the industry—and makes us the construction partner of choice in Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, Texas and many other markets.
Ryan Payne
President
Ryan brings over a decade of construction and leadership expertise to his role as President of Palmer’s Contracting Group, while also continuing to serve in a leadership position at Adena Corporation, PCG’s parent organization. He has successfully led large-scale commercial builds across the country and holds a degree in Construction Management from Michigan State University. Ryan is focused on driving growth and delivering excellent craftsmanship across all areas of secure facility construction. He will bridge strategic direction and operational execution, providing vision, guidance, and alignment with the broader goals of Adena Corporation, while also maintaining PCG’s client satisfaction. Ryan ensures all service capabilities are fully coordinated and leveraged to maximize our effectiveness as an organization.
Scott Palmer
Executive Vice President
Scott brings over 30 years of specialized experience in the construction of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) and all types of Special Access Program Facilities (SAPFs). Widely recognized as a Subject Matter Expert in SCIF design, construction, and consulting, he has delivered a full range of secure environments—from Secret CLOSED facilities to fully TEMPEST-compliant TS/SCI spaces with RF shielding. With extensive field experience and a hands-on approach, Scott excels at implementing compliant solutions aligned with ICD 705, NISPOM, JFAN standards, and other security directives. A respected instructor and speaker, he has served on multiple SME panels, provided ICD 705 training to military, government, and civilian organizations, and supported Construction Surveillance Technician training. He has also presented on ICD 705 and NISPOM topics for the National Classification Management System (NCMS).
Bethany Baughan
Senior Vice President
Bethany brings nearly two decades of experience in the construction industry, with expertise in Project Management, Estimating, and Operations/Logistics. Her diverse project portfolio includes secured environments such as SCIFs and SAPFs, controlled government facilities, tenant interiors, base-building commercial projects, and places of worship.
Bethany’s comprehensive experience, gathered from years’ in various roles in the construction industry, gives her a deep understanding of what it takes to successfully deliver projects, from interpreting plans and specifications to coordinating field teams, support staff, and subcontractors, while ensuring clear and accurate documentation.
Bethany’s expertise in ICD 705 and TEMPEST requirements, combined with her ability to develop strategic, practical implementation solutions, makes her a valuable asset to every team she supports.
Chris Romanowski
Director of Physical Security
Chris joined the PCG team in 2025 and brought in over 32 years of security experience in both the private sector and federal government, including over 10 years in the US Air Force and over 15 years at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While serving in the AF, he provided police services and security for aircraft and nuclear security missions in Europe and deployed to Tuzla Air Base as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Implementation Force (IFOR), peacekeeping mission in the former Yugoslavia. He culminated his Air Force service as a Special Security Officer for the Air Force Service Cryptologic Element at the National Security Agency/Central Security Service (NSA/CSS), directly supporting the Intelligence Community (IC).
After separation, Chris continued his support to the IC and held positions in the private sector for various companies, supporting the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), accrediting SCIFs, certifying Collateral secure areas, and ensuring force protection measures were met. In 2010, he accepted a federal position with DHS with the Office of the Chief Security Officer as a SCIF Accreditor and helped grow and shape the DHS SCIF program. Since 2007 he has served as a member of the ODNI Physical and Technical Security Expert Working Group (PTSEWG) and assisted with the writing of the Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 705 policy series for over eighteen years, providing key input on numerous changes since the original policies were issued. While serving on the PTSEWG, he chaired the Co-Use Working Group, refining information sharing and co-utilization policy and process for the IC, participated in the Medical Device Working Group, culminating in the ICD 124, Electronic Medical Devices, and served as an adjunct instructor and panel member for the ODNI ICD 705 training course.
Major projects Chris has ensured successful outcomes for include the FBI Secure Work Environment, ensuring all FBI Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism units are housed in SCIFs, the San Antonio, TX, Chicago and Springfield, IL Field Offices, ODNI HQ/Liberty Crossing II, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity HQ/Maryland Square II, NGA New Campus East, a 132-acre, purpose-built IC campus, the DHS HQ move to the Saint Elizabeths campus, and the consolidation of the SCIFs for the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis.
In his free time, Chris is an avid golfer, and is a certified baseball umpire, calling games for youth leagues through college level.
Charles Rodriguez
Director of Information Technology
Charles Rodriguez is an accomplished IT professional with extensive experience in systems administration, network engineering, and cybersecurity. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for designing and managing secure, high-performance infrastructures that enable organizations to operate efficiently, scale confidently, and meet evolving regulatory and cybersecurity requirements.
With more than 18 years of hands-on and managerial experience, Charles has led technological environments across healthcare-regulated systems under HIPAA and now oversees the implementation and maturation of NIST 800-171 compliance initiatives to achieve CMMC compliance. His expertise spans a broad spectrum of disciplines, including network architecture, server and storage management, cybersecurity governance, cloud adoption, endpoint security, and operational risk reduction. He is known for bridging the gap between technical execution and organizational strategy, ensuring that IT investments directly support business objectives.
Charles brings a leadership style centered on transparency, process discipline, and continuous improvement. His hands-on approach, combined with a deep understanding of cybersecurity frameworks, positions him as a trusted advisor in aligning technology with mission-critical business goals.
Weston Shaffer
Senior Project Manager
With more than fifteen years of experience in the construction industry, Weston brings extensive expertise in secure facility design and construction, combining hands-on field experience with leadership roles. Beginning his career as a trade electrician and advancing to superintendent positions, he developed a strong foundation in both the technical and operational aspects of construction. His focus has been on design/build and construction of secure spaces across the continental United States, where his practical knowledge remains a critical asset.
At PCG, Weston has held key leadership roles, managing dozens of secure space projects as Construction Project Manager and Lead Consultant. His portfolio spans mission-critical maintenance centers, full-scale secure facilities built from the ground up, and complex interior renovations within operational environments. Well-versed in ICD 705 policy, accreditation requirements, and the unique constructability challenges of secure environments, Weston ensures projects meet the highest standards of compliance and quality.
Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to bridge technical execution with policy compliance, Weston consistently delivers projects on time, within budget, and in full alignment with design and security requirements. His leadership and expertise make him an invaluable asset to every project he leads and supports.
Wes Huppenthal
Senior Project Manager
Wes is a seasoned construction leader with over a decade of experience delivering complex, mission-critical projects, including secure facilities. He has a proven track record of driving strategic growth, ensuring quality outcomes, and leading multidisciplinary teams across the project lifecycle.
In his role at PCG, Wes develops and executes customer-centric solutions that align with strategic goals, focusing on client satisfaction, operational efficiency, and consistent program success. A collaborative partner to clients and internal teams, he helps shape innovative yet practical solutions grounded in operational realities.
Hands-on throughout the project lifecycle, Wes participates in bid and buyout phases, oversees procurement, manages subcontractor onboarding, and implements QA/QC systems. His expertise in risk management, documentation, and stakeholder communication ensures project objectives are consistently met or exceeded. Wes’s commitment to excellence and operational discipline makes him an indispensable leader in secure construction environments.
