Burr & Forman Opens Offices in D.C. and Chicago
On June 2, Burr & Forman LLP announced the opening of its Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Illinois, offices and the expansion of its Government Contracts practice. The offices and practice will be helmed by leading government contracts and construction law attorneys and incoming partners Dirk Haire, Jessica Haire and Sean Milani-nia in D.C., and Joseph Cohen in Chicago.
Ranked as one of the leading construction law attorneys in the District of Columbia by Chambers USA, Dirk Haire’s national construction and government contracts practice is focused on bid protests and claims litigation relating to federal construction. He represents clients in connection with federal bid protests and construction litigation in the Boards of Contract Appeals, the Court of Federal Claims, the Government Accountability Office, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and various U.S. district courts. Haire handles high-stakes litigation involving major construction projects across the United States and around the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Russia and Africa. He offers guidance and representation in compliance matters, including past performance evaluations, defective specifications, the Build America, Buy America Act, the False Claims Act, the Buy American Act and the Miller Act.
Jessica Haire represents clients in all aspects of government contracts and construction projects from negotiation of teaming agreements and subcontracts to claim litigation, negotiations and debarment proceedings. She focuses her practice on handling contract negotiations as well as federal and state claims litigation for changes, differing site conditions, delay damages, time extensions, defective specifications, cumulative impacts, and numerous federal government contracts issues under the Federal Acquisition Regulation and relevant statutes. Haire regularly represents clients in various courts and boards of contract appeals including the Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals, the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals and the Maryland State Board of Contract Appeals.
Sean Milani-nia represents federal contractors in connection with Contract Disputes Act claims, bid protests and compliance matters. Milani-nia has extensive experience litigating complex claims before the Court of Federal Claims and Boards of Contract Appeals, bid protests before the GAO and Court of Federal Claims, and size protests before the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals. He also assists contractors in connection with transactional matters, including government contracts focused diligence for mergers and acquisitions, innovations, mentor-protege agreements, and joint venture and teaming agreements. His practice is geographically diverse, having represented contractors on projects throughout the United States and overseas, including Guam, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Qatar, Iraq, Norway, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia and Poland.
Joe Cohen is an experienced litigator and transactional attorney with a national practice that centers on construction, federal government contracting and procurement. His clients include owners, design professionals, general contractors and suppliers. Cohen also has extensive experience in commercial and real estate-related litigation, particularly construction litigation and disputes involving mechanics liens. He represents a wide range of Chicago-based, national and international companies involved in construction-related businesses, drafting and negotiating agreements for construction projects, and advising clients at every stage in the construction process. Joe also frequently represents and advises clients on corporate governance, regulatory and business issues. He was appointed by two different governors—Republican Bruce Rauner and Democrat J.B. Pritzker—to serve as a member of the Real Estate Board for Illinois. During his three-year term, Cohen forged relationships both locally and nationally on both sides of the aisle.
Frampton Construction Taps Kirk Matthews to Help Drive Strategic Growth
On June 5, Frampton Construction Company announced the addition of Kirk Matthews PE, as vice president. Based in the company’s Charlotte office, Matthews will help advance Frampton’s strategic growth by strengthening client relationships, supporting pipeline development and guiding project execution across sectors.
Metromont LLC Announces Key Organizational Changes to Propel Future Growth
On June 9, Metromont LLC announced several key organizational changes as the company celebrates its 100th anniversary. These changes are designed to strengthen Metromont’s leadership team and position the company for continued success and innovation in the years to come:
Rick Pennell will continue to lead Metromont as CEO, ensuring the company’s strategic vision and values remain at the forefront of its operations.
Doug Callender has been appointed president, in addition to his current role as CFO. His extensive experience and leadership will be instrumental in driving Metromont’s strategic, financial and operational excellence.
Chuck Gantt has been named senior vice president and chief operating officer. He will oversee all operational aspects of the company, ensuring efficiency and quality across all projects.
Chris Pastorius has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager, with continued responsibility for Virginia operations. Pastorius’ leadership will be key in expanding Metromont’s presence in the region.
Payne Thomas has been named vice president/general manager for the Carolinas, where he will focus on maintaining Metromont’s strong market position and customer relationships.
All general managers, including Jerry Batcher, Brian Martin, Payne Thomas and Chris Pastorius, will report to Chuck Gantt, ensuring cohesive and effective management across all regions.
Jason Woodard has been promoted to senior vice president of corporate development. Woodard will continue to oversee Metromont’s safety function and facilitate Metromont’s growth initiatives, reporting to Doug Callender.
Tony Smith will assume the role of VP of preconstruction services. Mike Ward, director of estimating, will report to Smith. His expertise will be crucial in enhancing Metromont’s preconstruction capabilities. Smith will report to Jason Woodard.
Steve Babcock has been named VP of market development. Babcock will retain his responsibilities in engineering and drafting for the Carolinas as he transitions full time into developing emerging market segments critical to Metromont’s future success. At the time of his transition, he will begin reporting to Jason Woodard.
Rebecca Freeman Joins Deacon Construction as Chief Financial Officer
On June 9, Deacon Construction LLC announced Rebecca Freeman as its new chief financial officer. With over twenty years of experience in finance and public accounting, Freeman will oversee all financial functions of the company based out of the Sacramento office. Freeman will work closely with the existing CFO, Lisa Terlson, to transition responsibilities, as well as with the COO, CTIO and CEO to ensure the highest standards are achieved on the ongoing operational needs related to finances. Freeman joins Deacon from the healthcare software sector, at Chordline Health, where she has served as their CFO for the past six years. Her career also includes experience in banking and a strong foundation in public accounting, having started with one of California’s prominent CPA firms.
Warfel Construction Promotes Jason Beiler to Director of Safety
On June 11, Warfel Construction announced the promotion of Jason Beiler to director of safety. In this role, Beiler will continue shaping Warfel’s proactive and people-first safety culture by developing companywide safety initiatives and serving as a key collaborator with senior leadership, project teams and field personnel.
Beiler joined Warfel in 2017, bringing over 15 years of experience in the construction field and earning a Construction Health & Safety Technician designation from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Since then, he has played an integral role in transforming Warfel’s safety approach, most recently serving as safety manager, where he led the evolution of safety standards, supported enhanced training programs and strengthened relationships with trade partners.
McMahon Welcomes Jodi Gennrich as Risk and Benefits Manager
On June 17, McMahon announced the addition of Jodi Gennrich as its new risk and benefits manager. With more than 20 years of experience working at a Fortune 200 company, primarily serving as a senior paralegal, Gennrich has extensive experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating global contracts, as well as managing ongoing contract relationships. Her career has also included a specialization in marketing law, where she excelled as a consumer promotions manager, demonstrating both strategic vision and leadership.
Skanska Promotes Three to Project Executives
On June 19, Skanska USA Building announced the promotion of three people in its Texas market—Blake Beran, Tom Hull and Ben Johnson—to project executive. All three exhibit exceptional leadership and relationship skills, ensuring building projects are properly managed, start to finish.
Since joining Skanska as an intern 16 years ago, Beran’s commitment to operational excellence and client satisfaction has helped him quickly grow his career in San Antonio, previously serving as a senior project manager. Beran’s promotion to project executive allows him to manage project teams and ensure continuity throughout building projects directly. His experience spans the health care and higher education markets, building relationships and notable work for Methodist Healthcare, CHRISTUS Health System, Alamo Colleges and UTSA. He is active in Skanska’s national Healthcare Advisory Council and is key in recruiting efforts.
Tom Hull also started his career as an intern with the organization and he has been with the company for 17 years, most recently serving as a senior project manager in San Antonio. His exceptional communication skills and trustworthy nature at every level have made him an extraordinary leader in healthcare, education and government work, including notable projects with Comal ISD, Northeast ISD and the City of San Antonio. Hull also serves as a Northeast Education Foundation board member.
With nearly 12 years at Skanska in Houston, Johnson is a trusted leader with expertise across a wide range of projects. In his new role, he drives construction success by ensuring quality, budget and schedule targets are met, while strengthening client relationships. He has played key roles in landmark projects such as downtown Houston’s Norton Rose Fulbright Tower and led high-profile efforts like Texas A&M’s Mays Business School Wayne Roberts ’85 Building, consistently delivering results that exceed expectations.
Merchants Bonding Company Announces Retirement of Longtime Chief Marketing and Communications Officer
On June 19, Merchants Bonding Company announced the planned retirement of Therese Wielage, chief marketing and communications officer, in January 2026. Wielage’s 17-year tenure leaves an indelible mark on the company, the surety industry, and the broader business and nonprofit communities in Iowa.
Joining the company in 2008, Wielage was the visionary architect behind Merchants’ marketing and communications function. Under her leadership, the department grew into an industry-leading team, with award-winning branding and customer engagement strategies. She launched the company’s first national agent loyalty programs, established the company’s brand including the widely recognized quill logo and introduced data-driven marketing practices that enhanced Merchants’ customer relationships and reputation.
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