– Douglas Billingsley
VP Logistics & Supply Chain, Dunham’s Sports
About GDI
We listen to your input. We work to understand how you want your building to function. We believe teamwork can only make a project better and that we can never be too responsive or proactive. Because at the end of the day, the relationships we build are just as strong as our structures.
On our first day of business we already had decades of experience on the national scene. We invite you to take a closer look at who we are and what we’ve done.
Leadership
Terry McCardwell – CEO, Owner
Terry McCardwell brings 37 years of experience in the construction and development industry, including the past two decades as CEO and co-founder of GDI Companies.
Under Terry’s leadership, GDI has delivered several high-profile developments, including:
- Fishback Creek Business Park (Whitestown, IN): 207 acres, 2.5 million SF, $300M+ investment
- Hendricks Gateway Park (Indianapolis West): 214 acres, 3 million SF, $400M+ investment
- East 70 Logistics Park (Indianapolis East): 405 acres, projected 4.5 million SF, $500M+ investment
He has overseen the construction of five buildings exceeding one million square feet and served clients such as Apple, Walmart, Home Depot, Mars-Wrigley, and Target. Other notable clients include Coca-Cola Consolidated, DHL, and Core5 Industrial Partners.
Today, Terry focuses on strategic planning, opportunity sourcing, relationship development, and leadership cultivation to ensure GDI’s long-term sustainability.
Terry holds a BA in Accounting from Anderson University, an MBA in Finance from Indiana University, and is a CPA (inactive). He is also an instrument-rated pilot and a PADI-certified scuba diver.
Outside the office, Terry enjoys spending time with his family and staying active through biking, skiing, pickleball, and other fitness activities. He is deeply committed to community and service, having served as a Trustee of Anderson University, in leadership roles at his local church, and as a Board Member and Treasurer of Club Brittany in Naples, Florida.
Phil Gross – Vice President, Operations
Phil Gross serves as Vice President of Operations at GDI, where he oversees company-wide operations, guiding teams through project development, design coordination, and execution. He ensures each project maintains alignment with GDI’s strategic goals in cost, quality, and schedule performance. His leadership extends through the full development cycle — from entitlement and infrastructure coordination through turnover — working closely with clients, design professionals, and internal teams.
With over 24 years of experience in the construction and real estate industry, Phil has been instrumental in leading preconstruction and operational strategies for large-scale industrial, logistics, and commercial projects across the United States. Phil received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1999 from Purdue University where he majored in Building Construction Management.
Phil has been a key figure in advancing GDI’s presence in complex development programs for national clients such as Coca-Cola Consolidated, Nestle, Apple, PepsiCo, DHL Group, Kimball Electronics, and Yusen Logistics.
Ken Van Buren – Vice President, Construction
Ken Van Buren serves as Vice President of Construction at GDI, where he oversees construction projects, project managers, scheduling, budgets and contracts. Ken has over 35 years of construction and real estate experience, which include managing all aspects of design-build industrial and office projects throughout the United States. Ken received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1988 from Purdue University where he majored in Construction Engineering.
Ken has led several large-scale industrial and commercial construction projects across the Midwest, including Coca-Cola Consolidated (430,000 SF, $50M) and Hendricks Gateway Industrial Park, which is comprised of facilities for Apple (1,032,000 SF, $35M), Mars Petcare (912,000 SF, $45M), Tarte Cosmetics (440,000 SF, $20M), and LifeScience Logistics (440,000 SF, $18M).
Peyton McCardwell – Vice President
Peyton McCardwell is Vice President at GDI, where he guides the company’s financial strategy and real estate development efforts, including deal structuring, investment analysis, and capital planning. He also oversees GDI’s legal strategy to support growth and ensure alignment with the company’s operational and investment objectives.
Peyton began his career at EY accounting firm after earning a degree in finance and accounting from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and becoming a CPA (inactive). He later earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and practiced at King & Spalding, one of the world’s leading law firms, where he advised clients on high-value transactions, regulatory strategy, and litigation risks across multiple industries.
With a dual background in law and finance, Peyton brings a strategic, integrated approach to GDI, helping drive the company’s growth in real estate development and investment through thoughtful evaluation of project financing, strategic partnerships, and risk management.
Nick Anthony- Development Partner
Nick Anthony serves as an advisor and Development Partner at GDI, providing strategic guidance on the firm’s national real estate development platform across the United States. With nearly three decades of experience in the real estate industry, Nick has played a pivotal role in shaping investment strategies and executing high-profile transactions.
Prior to joining GDI, Nick served as Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Duke Realty. In this capacity, he was responsible for the company’s acquisition and disposition activities, as well as managing its joint venture business. Under his leadership, Duke Realty executed several landmark transactions worth over $8.5 billion.
As a member of Duke Realty’s Executive, Investment, and Operating Committees, Nick was instrumental in transforming the company from a high-leverage, multi-product REIT into the largest pure-play domestic industrial REIT in the nation. His strategic vision contributed to Duke Realty’s remarkable 500% total return over the last decade, ranking it second among more than 160 REITs in the sector. His tenure culminated with Duke Realty’s sale to Prologis for $23 billion in October 2022.
Nick holds a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting/Management from Anderson University and is a Certified Public Accountant (Inactive).
Tom Theobald- Development Partner
Tom Theobald is a Development Partner at GDI Companies, where he identifies, analyzes, and executes transactions to expand the firm’s national real estate development platform. With over 30 years of experience specializing in industrial properties and mixed-use business parks, Tom has successfully directed the development of millions of square feet of industrial facilities across more than 3,000 acres of land.
Prior to joining GDI Companies, Tom served as Senior Vice President at Mohr Capital and Principal at EQT Exeter, where he directed development activities across multiple U.S. markets. Earlier in his career, he spent ten years as Senior Vice President and Regional Partner at Verus Partners, managing the company’s real estate development and leasing strategies throughout the Central Midwest region.
Tom began his career as an industrial real estate broker with Colliers before transitioning into development and construction in 2000, holding positions at Greenfield Builders and Browning Investments.
Tom holds a BS in Business Economics from the IU Kelley School of Business at Indiana University.
Founder
David Bunting – Founder and Former President
With more than four decades of experience in construction and real estate development, David brought a deep understanding of what it takes to keep jobs on track — and exceed client expectations. Having worked at every level of the business, David knew the field from the ground up.
Throughout his career, David led projects across nearly every sector, including hospitality, industrial, education, healthcare, office, retail, and logistics. His ability to identify opportunities where others saw challenges became a defining hallmark of his leadership.
As President and Owner of GDI for 20 years, David oversaw operations and administration, driving strategic growth while cultivating a collaborative, goal-driven culture. He was known not only for his expertise but for fostering a friendly, supportive environment for employees.
David’s strengths spanned conceptual and hard bid estimating, project management, field operations, proposal development, and contract negotiation. Under his leadership, GDI earned widespread recognition, including the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Fast25 award in 2021, honoring the fastest-growing companies in Central Indiana.
Though David retired in May 2025, his legacy continues to shape GDI’s values, vision, and enduring commitment to excellence.
“The Project Manager and Superintendent were great to work with and deeply involved with our vision for the final product, they were dedicated to executing that vision. In our executive office area, we had some very high-end finishes that required skilled installations, GDI was able to deliver on everything we threw at them.”
– Robert E. Costa
President of LIS Construction Services, Inc.
© 2025 GDI Construction. All Rights Reserved.