Chris Durnil

Mr. Chris Durnil, CPC is an experienced construction professional with various leadership roles in industrial construction including energy, water, and wastewater projects across the United States. Chris began his career at Bowen Engineering Corporation in 2004 and currently serves as Purchasing Manager at Bowen, where he oversees a team engaged in bidding, contract negotiations, vendor relations, and preconstruction services over a variety of contract models including Design-Build, CMAR, BOT, and alternative procurement.

Chris is also the Vice President of the Purdue Construction Advisory Council where he has been active on the executive leadership team for over a decade, with recent focus on the expansion of the Bowen School of Construction program at the Indianapolis campus. Working with other dedicated industry professionals, Chris has led the creation of the Boiler Built Fund, a 501c3 nonprofit whose mission is to advise, assist, support, and advocate for the program and students on matters related to student learning and instruction, facilities of the program, student activities, scholarships, career placement and professional practice. He continues efforts to energize the expansion of the Indianapolis program through advocacy with local and state organizations, Purdue leadership, and other engaged industry partners.

Throughout his career, Chris has maintained a close and active relationship with Purdue Polytechnic. He supports students and faculty through guest lectures, classroom presentations, engaging with student competition teams, and evaluating senior capstone projects. He seeks to strengthen the relationship between industry and program faculty through co-hosting faculty/industry dinners, coordinating faculty site visits, and sponsoring faculty summer externships, conveying to professors the real-world expectations to ensure that classroom curriculum remains aligned with the evolving needs of the construction industry.

A proud Boilermaker, Chris earned his Bachelor of Science in Building Construction Management from Purdue University in 2006 and has previously been awarded the Purdue Polytechnic Early Career Award. He is involved in various professional organizations including the Associated General Contractors and active in the community, primarily at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church leading the annual church festival and supporting capital projects. Chris lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with his wife Chelsea, (PharmD, Purdue '10), and their 3 daughters, who enjoy traveling, boating, camping, snow skiing and cheering on the Boilermakers. 

Chris is proud to receive the 2026 Purdue Polytechnic Outstanding Technology Alumni Award and remains committed to supporting the program, faculty and its Industry Ready, Day One students.