When you think about commercial real estate—its structures, its stakeholders, its systems—service might not be the first word that comes to mind. But for Casey Polmanski, Senior Construction Manager at Stream, service is at the core of everything he does.
After more than six years at Stream, Casey embodies the company’s values—smart, honest, nice, passionate—both inside and outside the office. And earlier this year, he and his wife, Marianne, took those values over 2,000 miles away to a small village in Belize.
But it wasn’t for vacation.
Through a program coordinated by the Belize Mission Society and the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church, the couple joined 15 volunteers from five other churches on a service trip to Seine Bight—a village on a narrow peninsula about three hours south of Belize City.
“I never would have thought about doing something like this,” Casey said. “But Marianne and I felt called to. We’re blessed in so many ways, and we wanted to get out of our comfort zone and use our skills to help others.”
And that’s exactly what they did.
Upon arriving, the group encountered a stark contrast. As they traveled down the peninsula, they passed lavish beach villas, yachts, and tourist resorts. But in the heart of the village, the landscape changed: homes without plumbing, children running barefoot, and piles of trash with no city system to remove them.
Casey and a handful of other men—four of whom were pastors—got to work building a 10-by-10 addition to a tiny home that already housed two adults and three children. “It was essentially one small room for a family of five,” he recalled. “No running water. Just a small propane stove and some pots hung on the wall.”
While Casey worked on construction, Marianne and the other women spent their days leading Bible studies, tidying up the schoolyard, and working alongside a nurse on the team to provide basic health checkups.
Ahead of the trip, Marianne also raised funds to provide 80 backpacks filled with school supplies for the village children. Local police officers, eager to connect with the community, joined the team in hand-delivering the backpacks to the children, who greeted them with excitement.
“The culture was different in so many ways,” Casey said. “But one of the biggest takeaways was how much joy and gratitude the people had, even with so little. The kids would run up to us and hug us. They were just full of life.”
That joy was both moving and humbling.
“There was a moment,” Casey admitted, voice breaking, “where I just thought, ‘How did I get so lucky?’ These families are doing their best in impossible circumstances, yet they still manage to smile. It really makes you re-evaluate what matters.”
From Construction to Connection
As a construction management professional with decades of experience, Casey’s skills translated immediately. He worked closely with two local builders employed by the mission society, blending his own knowledge with their practices.
“I wasn’t there to tell them how to do it,” he said. “I had a vision for how I thought things should go, but I let them lead. It was a good reminder: the same principles apply, but every place, every culture, does things a little differently.”
The extreme heat and humidity—regularly 90°F with 80% humidity—pushed him physically. But more than that, the emotional impact stuck with him.
“I’m never going to say I’m starving again,” he remarked after returning home. “These kids may get one good meal a day, if that. And here we are, complaining about a three-hour gap between meals.”
Bringing It Back to Stream
When asked how the experience influenced his work, Casey didn’t hesitate.
“It’s made me more patient. More grateful. And even more focused on being a servant-leader,” he said. “I look at the younger team members around me like they’re my own kids. If I can help, I do. Whether it’s a teammate, a tenant, or a client—this job is about service.”
That approach isn’t new for Casey, but the trip reinforced its importance. In his role, he supports three large portfolios—DRA Advisors, MetLife, and Morgan Stanley—and his commitment to delivering above-and-beyond support hasn’t changed.
“Sometimes I give too much information,” he said with a laugh. “But I’d rather be thorough than leave people with questions. Our clients deserve that level of care.”
More than a Mission Trip
Every part of the trip reflected intention and care. From planning ahead to ensure building materials were ready, to working shoulder-to-shoulder with local builders, to ending each day in laughter and reflection—this was more than just a project. It was a lived experience shaped by shared purpose.
“We’re not going to change the world in five days,” he said. “But every fire starts with a spark. Maybe we’re that spark.”
For anyone at Stream—or elsewhere—considering a similar trip, Casey’s advice is clear: do it. “There are always ways to serve. Whether it’s a mission trip, volunteering with your local food bank, or helping a neighbor, just do something. That’s how change happens.”
Not all impact is measured in square footage. Sometimes, the most meaningful work happens far beyond the build.
