Clayco has hired a business executive and a civic leader Michael Fassnacht as president of the Chicagoland region and the company’s first chief growth officer. Fassnacht will oversee all aspects of Chicagoland’s operations, including business development, marketing and sales, and serve as a mentor and coach to the team. He will also support all organizational units to help Clayco meet its growth plans for the next decade and beyond.
Big-D Cos. has promoted Cory Schubert to the role of president of the Big-D Construction Midwest office, covering Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin. Schubert was an integral member of the team when the Midwest office opened 10 years ago and was promoted to vice president of preconstruction. Since opening, Big-D Construction Midwest has built over 5,000 housing units and won over $1 billion worth of work. Schubert was promoted to vice president of operations in 2016 and named senior vice president and general manager of the office in 2022.
Henderson Building Solutions has announced four new executive management positions. Earl Wilcox has been named vice president of critical mission. Wilcox will oversee strategic planning, building and customer development for the company’s critical business unit. Jamison Clark was named vice president of construction operations. Clark will lead construction management, safety and quality assurance across the company. Nick Lynch has been named vice president of project development and will lead all aspects of project development, including preconstruction services, engineering coordination and business development. Travis Short is now vice president of commissioning and will oversee strategic planning, team development, project execution and client development for commissioning activities.
Craig Thompson has joined construction company McCownGordon as vice president of field operations in Wichita, Kan. Thompson brings more than 30 years of operations experience including executive construction oversight, design and consulting experience, and direct project management and staff development. Thompson’s background also includes building and leading teams in a wide variety of vertical markets spanning commercial office, retail and mixed-use, as well as medical facilities, industrial and distribution centers, data centers and historic renovations.
Horwitz, a Minnesota-based specialty contractor, has appointed Michelle Rose as director of business development. In his new role, Rose will drive the growth of all of Horwitz’s offerings, which include HVAC, process piping, plumbing, electrical, industrial ventilation, service, mechanical insulation, building automation and controls, and grinders. Rose has experience in pricing, negotiations, communications and multi-stakeholder collaboration to differentiate both service and product offerings.
Tarlton, a woman-owned general contracting and construction management company in St. Louis, has promoted Sondra Rotty to the director of operations. In his new role, Rotty leads construction operations, directs market leaders and works with human resources to attract and retain talent. Rotty joined Tarlton in 2005 as a project engineer and has led or been an integral part of several projects, including the $90 million Olin Business School expansion for Washington University in St. Louis; the construction of the East Building at the Art Museum of St. Louis; the renovation of the Stephen and Peter Sachs Museum at the Missouri Botanical Garden; and the renovation of 900 N. Tucker Blvd., the former Post-Dispatch building in St. Louis.
Chicago-based HOK has appointed Rana Lee chief marketing officer to oversee market growth and business development. He has 30 years of experience in architecture, design and real estate. Besides, Melissa Clark has been named senior director of projects to expand the company’s sports, recreation and entertainment practice. Clark brings nearly 25 years of experience managing multiple project teams and delivering major facilities. It will focus on expanding HOK’s work in women’s professional and collegiate sports. He is currently managing projects that include a football training facility for a university and an entertainment venue for a confidential client.
Sheridan-based Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association has promoted Chad Montgomery to the executive director. He started his career in the commercial group more than eight years ago as head of promotions. He has also worked as a plant manager at Ozinga Ready Mix Inc.
Sargent & Lundy, the Chicago-based global engineer specializing in power, energy and decarbonization, has elevated the following executives to senior vice president: Chuck Beiteldirector of the firm’s energy and industrial division; Shiven Sulkardirector of nuclear power services; Vince Heinzdirector of energy planning and consulting services; Eric Soderlunddirector of energy planning and consulting projects; Kevin Lauzzedirector of energy and industrial projects; Nick Villione, director of nuclear projects; i Eric Monson i Romulus Berzescupower grid infrastructure project managers.
Global engineering, construction and consulting firm Black & Veatch, Overland Park, Kan., has appointed Ian Bramson as vice president of global industrial cybersecurity, a newly created position. He is responsible for its strategy, marketing and business growth. Bramson had been global head of industrial cyber security at ABS Group and also global head of cyber security sales and strategy at Siemens. It is based in Denver.
Mia Blanchett he was recently elevated to CEO of interdisciplinary design firm HGA in Minneapolis. He had been a leader in the government market sector and is a member of the works council. Succeeding her in the renamed position of public sector market leader is Josh Slowers. Among Blanchett’s notable projects are the restoration of the Minnesota State Capitol and the modernization of the BH Whipple Federal Building at Fort Snelling, Minnesota.
Todd Merrihew has joined Hanson Professional Services Inc. as senior vice president and director of the aviation sector in its Chicago office. Previously director of aviation at Jacobs, he had previously been a project manager and designer at Hanson.
Milwaukee-based architecture and interior design firm Plunkett Raysich Architects LLP has elevated Renee Moe Primarily, leading his dental architecture practice to advance identity, ergonomics, efficiency and patient-centered care for clients in this sector.
Correction: A photo of Corie Foley in the Top Young Pros article (ENR 29/01/24 p MW17) was incorrect. The correct photo appears on the right.
Corey Foley
A leadership mentor for women
31, Vice President
ARCO/Murray
Milwaukee
A 2015 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in civil engineering, Foley rose from project manager at ARCO/Murray to chief operating officer and vice president in just seven years. As Vice President, she was responsible for the strategic planning, opening and operation of ARCO’s first office in Milwaukee. His responsibilities included conducting market analysis, research, networking, business development, office leasing and expanding ARCO’s portfolio in the city. Meanwhile, she balanced her role as chief operating officer of the tenant solutions division, overseeing the operations of $137 million of design-build projects that year. Foley developed an onboarding program for new hires, consisting of a six-month training platform and a mentoring program. Also created, refined, and optimized team policies and procedures for estimates, preconstruction, construction, closeout, and field operations. Foley is the driving force behind ARCO’s annual Women in Construction Week event, which grew from one location in 2019 to four national markets last year. She also helped plan a camp at ARCO’s Downers Grove office in 2023 that aimed to empower middle and high school girls (95 percent of whom come from difficult circumstances) to improve their confidence themselves and acquire the necessary skills to become future leaders.
