Our Team | Matt Lynch President of Build Industries, LA

Matt Lynch

President

In 1989, Matt Lynch began his purposeful life’s work with Build Rehabilitation Industries, Inc. as President of the organization, marking the beginning of over 25 years of service and dedication to the company. Under his watch, Build has become an integral contributor to countless San Fernando area businesses as one of the region’s largest employment agencys’, contract packaging facility, and logistical solutions partners.

From 1973-1989, Matt was a partner and attorney at Melby, Lynch & Story, where his emphasis was in corporate and contract law. Matt also held senior level law positions with Lockheed, where from 1968-1973 he sourced international contracting, procurement and subcontracting solutions, and supervised litigation for government contract and labor arbitration claims.

Matt was a professor of Purchasing Law at California State University, Northridge rom 1982-1998, and through the years has held essential posts as an active civic participant from non-profits to community hospitals. He has served as an appointed commissioner since 1977 on various Los Angeles County commissions Including the Task Force on Nutrition, Commission on Aging, Board of Governors for Arboreta and Botanic Gardens, and was previously commissioned to advise on the welfare system for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services.

A small business advocate for over 30 years, Matt has held board positions with the United Chamber of Commerce, the Winnetka Chamber, the Northridge Chamber , the Sherman Oaks Chamber and as President of the San Fernando Valley Business and Professional Association.

Matt carries his fundamental commitment to social and local business responsibility into his work with Build, where he helps to train and place physically and cognitively challenged individuals into competitive employment to become valued members of the local workforce.

Matt earned his Juris Doctor from American University, Washington College of Law and his undergraduate degree in engineering from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Pat Walsh

Director of Employment Services

Pat began her career with Build in March of 2009, working for the Profit Center. July of 2015, she joined Employment Services and advanced to the title of Director of Employment Services. This unit works with local businesses to find positions for clients, as well as providing counseling, training and job placement in order to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with various vocational difficulties. Pat received a Paralegal Associate’s degree from Nassau Community College in New York, a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning from Hofstra University in New York, and a Master’s degree from Cal State Northridge in Public Administration. Pat embodies Build’s mission to identify, train and guide talented people to succeed and is dedicated to continuing to build a robust and diverse workforce for San Fernando Valley businesses.

Bill Augustyn

Director of Business Operations

Bill Augustyn is the Director of Operations for Build Rehabilitation Industries and leads the vast product assembly, contract packaging, warehouse and labor-intensive service programs for the company. Under Bill’s leadership, Build has forged alliances with businesses across the San Fernando Valley and beyond who have come to rely on Build for their contract packaging, warehousing and production needs. With over 25 years of experience, Bill possesses a keen understanding of the role quality subcontract packaging plays in bringing finished products to market. Throughout his tenure at Build, Bill has shaped superior operations management policies for the company, with attention to unmatched customer satisfaction, project efficiency and competitive pricing models. Under Bill’s stewardship, Build’s contract packaging and business services have increased to include hand assembly, blister and clamshell packaging, custom wrapping, club store packaging, POP displays, and more. Bill’s efforts have also help turn Build Business Services into one of the San Fernando Valley’s most trusted and reliable full service warehouse and facilities management centers. A California native, Bill studied physical sciences at California State University, Los Angeles and Pasadena City College.

Kevin Shields

Independent Living Skills Program Coordinator

Helping people increase independence is my life passion. I have been in this field since the late 1990's, beginning as a care attendant, managing Assisted Living Facilities in Florida and running the Disabled Students Residence Program at UC Berkeley before moving back home to Los Angeles and working here at Build Rehabilitation Industries. I love working for BRI because I can be creative and exploring new ways to expand our services. I am also a single father, an artist and civil rights advocate in my free time.

Cynthia Kolke

Marketing & Sales Manager

Cynthia Kolke is currently responsible for new sales, communication and satisfaction of current customers. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and data processing and entrepreneurship certifications from Amos Tuck School of business. She was employed by IBM for twenty years where she gained experience in operations, administration and rose through the sales ranks to Director of Marketing, in charge of mergers, acquisitions, banking, and large account marketing. She started and ran her own successful nutrition business for 20 years, taking it public and back private. A native of Detroit, Michigan, she has lived in Connecticut, Minnesota, and now California.