WOOLPERT SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT MELVIN SPINKS NAMED 2024 HOUSTON AREA ENGINEER OF THE YEAR

On Dec. 20, 2023, The Houston Engineers Week Committee named Woolpert Senior Vice President Melvin Spinks as the 2024 Houston Area Engineer of the Year. The award recognizes engineers who have made significant contributions to both the profession and Houston area. The award will be presented in February during Houston Engineers Week and National Engineers Week.

JUSTIN MCFARLAND PROMOTED TO CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER FOR MCCARTHY HOLDINGS INC.

On Dec. 20, 2023, McCarthy Holdings Inc. announced the promotion of Justin McFarland to chief administrative officer. In this role, he will oversee a variety of McCarthy’s corporate departments including information technology, innovation, marketing communications and others. He will also champion culture and drive collaboration and consistency for the broader corporate team.

J.C. RUDDEN PROMOTED TO VICE PRESIDENT, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR MCCARTHY

Also on Dec. 20, McCarthy announced the promotion of J.C. Rudden to vice president, information technology. In this role, he will oversee all strategic and operational aspects of technology implementation at McCarthy, including strategy, business intelligence, field and enterprise applications, service desk operations, infrastructure and operations. He will replace Justin McFarland.

DIANE GROSSENHEIDER JOINS MCCARTHY AS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

On Jan. 8, 2024, Diane Grossenheider joined McCarthy as a senior business development manager for the St. Louis region. With nearly two decades of experience in project management and new business development in the design and construction industries, she will play a pivotal role in identifying and cultivating new business opportunities for vertical building projects in science and technology, commercial, education and healthcare. Her focus will be on aligning prospective clients’ goals and objectives with McCarthy’s strengths and expertise while fostering productive relationships throughout the region.

JULIA PAGE JOINS LARKIN HOFFMAN'S GOVERNMENT RELATIONS TEAM

On Jan. 9, Larkin Hoffman appointed Julia Page to their government relations team. A seasoned professional in public policy and advocacy, Page brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in shaping impactful initiatives within nonprofit organizations.

STELLAR ANNOUNCES CHANGES TO LEADERSHIP TEAM: NEW COO, CHRO, SENIOR VPS AND VICE PRESIDENTS

On Jan. 9, Stellar proudly announced a significant expansion of its leadership team with the promotion of several key executives, marking a pivotal moment in the company's continued growth. Scott Mark becomes Stellar’s chief operating officer. He started with the company in 1997 as an intern with a B.S. in Construction Management from the University of North Florida.

As the new chief human resources officer, Stacey King brings over 20 years of experience in the talent management, training and development sector. She will also bring corporate recruiting and strategic human resources planning to the role.

Robbie Roberson becomes senior vice president for aftermarket services with more than 25 years of experience and a track record of success with Stellar’s refrigeration group.

With an MBA in Management and over 20 years of experience as an engineer, Peter Wu is Stellar’s new senior vice president for field, quality and safety.

A 16-year Stellar veteran, Nathan Edwards will become the new vice president of operations, food and beverage.

With 23 years of industry experience and much success at Stellar, Jim Oko becomes vice president of project development, food beverage.

With more than 20 years of industry experience and 14 years at Stellar, Morgan Wilbanks becomes the vice president of operations, commercial.

SWINERTON ANNOUNCES RAY HAJ AS CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

On Jan. 9, Ray Haj began his new role overseeing Swinerton and its subsidiaries, including Swinerton Builders and Timberlab. His journey with the organization began as senior scheduler, to his recent role as senior vice president and regional manager exemplifies his dedication and leadership in contributing to our growth and success.

HARBERT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION ANNOUNCES PROMOTION OF JOHN HARBERT TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGY

On Jan. 10, Harbert Management Corporation announced the promotion of John M. Harbert II to senior vice president of strategy. In his new role, John will be charged with overall responsibility for HMC’s strategic planning initiatives including data management, technology strategy, ESG implementation, business development and capital formation.

CORY SCHUBERT TO LEAD BIG-D CONSTRUCTION MIDWEST AS PRESIDENT

On Jan. 16, Big-D Companies announced that Cory Schubert has been promoted to the role of president of the Big-D Construction Midwest office. His promotion comes not long after the 10-year anniversary of the office’s opening, for which Schubert was an integral team member, then in the position of vice president of preconstruction. A decade later, Schubert has remained invaluable in Big-D Construction Midwest’s rapid growth in Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin.

KATHLEEN A. SAVIO NAMED TO BROWN & BROWN INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

On Jan. 18, Brown & Brown Inc. announced the addition of Kathleen A. Savio, former chief transformation officer of Zurich Insurance Group, to Brown & Brown’s board of directors. H. Palmer Proctor, Jr., Brown & Brown’s lead independent director and chair of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of Brown & Brown’s board of directors, said, “Kathleen joins us on the heels of an impressive career at Zurich spanning more than three decades. Her broad knowledge of the insurance industry, extraordinary leadership abilities and extensive experience growing businesses organically and via acquisition make her a wonderful addition to our board of directors.”

BRANDSAFWAY APPOINTS NEW SVP AND CIO EILEEN WHITE

On Jan. 18, BrandSafway announced it will appoint Eileen White as senior vice president and chief information officer effective March 31. In this role, White will lead digital optimization efforts and execute strategic initiatives to transform information technology services globally. She will assume the position after Jay Fisher, who is retiring from the organization to pursue other interests, following his 17 years of service.

BILLY NAYLOR PROMOTED TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, NATIONAL SAFETY FOR MCCARTHY

On Jan. 18, McCarthy announced the promotion of Billy Naylor to senior vice president, national safety. In this role, he will oversee the implementation of McCarthy’s national safety program, including all company policies and procedures regarding safety. He will replace the retiring senior vice president, national safety, Kevin Maitland.

KBS PRESIDENT, THATCHER BUTCHER, APPOINTED TO THE MAINE MANUFACTURED HOUSING BOARD

On Jan. 19, KBS Builders Inc. announced that its president, Thatcher Butcher, has been appointed to the Maine Manufactured Housing Board. Mr. Butcher will serve for a 4-year term.

MARK SPRAUL JOINS BRINKMANN CONSTRUCTORS AS PROJECT EXECUTIVE

On Jan. 22, Brinkmann Constructors announced it hired Mark Spraul as a project executive in the St. Louis office. With more than 30 years in construction and extensive project experience in building facilities for end users such as Amazon, Chewy, Walmart and Caterpillar, Spraul is focused on Brinkmann’s growth in the industrial sector, with an emphasis on cold storage, food and beverage and manufacturing facilities.