Midwest People: Construction business updates for January 2016

Western Specialty Contractors has promoted Tom Brooks to senior vice president of operations. In his new role, Brooks will oversee marketing, business development, the sealants division and an operations region within the firm. Brooks has been with Western since 2012.

Western also promoted Steve Genovese to branch manager of its Chicago concrete restoration branch. Genovese has been with Western Specialty for more than nine years.

Emily-Pelcak Emily Pelcak was promoted to director of practice and innovation at PGAV Destinations, St. Louis. Pelcak will lead staff training and development, researching and implementing quality design documentation practices to cultivate PGAV’s technical expertise in building construction practices. She has been with the firm for 11 years.

Ted-Cera Professional Service Industries Inc. (PSI) has named Ted Cera principal consultant of its geotechnical engineering service line. He serves a dual role as geotechnical department manager in PSI’s Waukesha, Wis., office. Cera has nearly 20 years of related experience.

Ralph O’Quinn was appointed principal consultant of PSI’s construction services line. He has more than 35 years of construction experience and serves as chief engineer in PSI’s Dayton, Ohio, office.

PSI also named David Sawicki principal consultant of its Phase II/III environmental site assessment service line. He is based in the firm’s Hillside, Ill., office.

Dwight-Larson M.A. Mortenson Co., Minneapolis, has promoted Dwight Larson to senior vice president and general counsel. Before joining Mortenson in 2004, Larson served as a construction lawyer at Leonard Street & Deinard and at BRW Inc. as a civil engineer.

Samantha-Hurrell Samantha Hurrell has joined HOK as a workplace strategy analyst in St. Louis, where she will provide support for ongoing local projects. Hurrell recently earned a degree in architectural studies with an emphasis in interior design from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

VOA Associates Inc. has added workplace strategist Crystal Dippre. With over 10 years of experience, Dippre, based in Chicago, will lead VOA’s efforts to grow and expand the firm’s workplace strategy service line.

D.A. Dodd has named Chris Marks operations manager of the mechanical contractor’s new Indianapolis division. Before joining D.A. Dodd, Marks served as the executive director of facilities for Ivy Tech Community College. Marks has more than 25 years of construction experience.

Richard J. Morsches was promoted to chief executive officer of TranSystems Corp., Chicago. Morsches has been with the firm for more than 30 years.

David-Casey The Walsh Group has named David Casey president of the company’s heavy civil division. Casey will be responsible for the division’s operations, including monitoring start-up and staffing, establishment of management systems, supervising project progress and participating in owner consultations for a variety of bridge, highway, transportation and treatment plant facility projects. He joined Walsh in 1990.

Jeanne-Cormier Jeanne Cormier was appointed to be Chicago-based H.W. Lochner’s next chief operating officer following the retirement of the current COO, Chuck Craycraft, in April 2016. Cormier joined the firm nearly 30 years ago. For the past several years, she has served as the firm’s director of strategic growth.