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Bravo Group, a full-service construction management company based in New York City, has hired former AECOM executive Jay Badame as the new chief operating officer, according to an announcement Wednesday.
Jay Almond
Courtesy of Bravo Group
In his new role, Badame will aim to grow the firm’s portfolio of public and private sector projects, according to the announcement. In particular, Badame will focus on construction management and new design and construction opportunities.
Badame brings nearly 50 years of construction industry experience to Bravo’s business, according to the company. In 2018, Construction Dive named Badame Executive of the year for his work at the company, including his role in rebuilding the World Trade Center complex after 9/11. Tishman Construction named him chairman in 1985, before the company was acquired by AECOM in 2010.
Lots of almonds left AECOM in 2023, three months after being named executive advisor to Bob Hart, who took over Badame’s previous role at the firm. In 2024, Badame sued AECOM for alleged age discrimination and retaliation after expressing concern over alleged profit inflation, according to demand. The case was sent to arbitration in March 2025.
At Bravo, Badame will report directly to Ehab Shehata, president and CEO of Bravo, and oversee a team of nearly 70 people. He was also appointed a member of the company’s advisory board.
“I have had the privilege of working with Jay for decades and can say with confidence that there is no one better suited to help BRAVO usher in our next chapter of growth,” Shehata said in the announcement. “He not only brings an unparalleled level of expertise and experience to the role, but also a deep integrity, something that is critical to our industry.”
Bravo Group is a consortium of several companies: Velocity Architecture & Engineering Group, DPC and Bradford Construction. It offers architecture, engineering and construction services to its clients, according to the announcement.
“BRAVO has built an excellent reputation within the AEC industry, with enormous potential to take the business even further,” Badame said in the announcement. “I look forward to working closely with Ehab and the entire leadership team, as well as our outstanding customers and partners, to take this company to the next level.”
