Midwest People: Updates About Construction Professionals for July 2020
Walsh Investment Group, the investment and development part of the Chicago-based Walsh Group, recently elevated Greg Ciambrone to the role of president, where he continues his leadership of all investment activities on behalf of the Walsh family, which now includes oversight of the family’s investment in Creek Lane Capital. In addition to his promotion to president, Ciambrone has been selected to join The Walsh Group executive committee and will be responsible for working closely with the Walsh family and other senior executives to drive strategy, monitor performance and set policy across the Chicago-headquartered group of construction companies.
Aaron Toppston has been promoted to managing director of infrastructure investments and strategic planning at Walsh Investment Group, where he will lead efforts relating to public-private partnership investments/financings and lead the construction company’s corporate analytics initiative. In addition, Brian Walsh has been promoted to the role of managing director for real estate investments, where he will lead all efforts related to the Walsh family’s continued investments in its more traditional real estate activities.
On June 1, Mark Skender stepped down as the third CEO of Skender Construction, the construction company his father founded and that he became CEO of after his father and older brother, Joseph Skender Sr. and Jr., stepped down from the role. In doing so, Mark Skender has formally assumed the role of CEO of Skender Manufacturing, the start-up volumetric modular construction company he started as part of Skender Construction in 2019. Justin Brown will assume the role of CEO of Skender Construction and continue his role as president there. Skender Construction remains focused on general contracting services for all property types.
“I have long been passionate about the transformative possibilities of modular construction for our industry and society. I am excited to embrace a leadership role fully dedicated to realizing the potential of modular building,” said Mark Skender. “This leadership realignment represents a natural evolution for our company and positions each of our unique businesses to be as strong as possible moving into the future.”
Mike Pratl was misidentified in the May issue of ENR Midwest. KAI Enterprises in St. Louis had hired Pratl as principal and market leader of KAI Design. Pratl had been a principal at Jacobs in St. Louis for the past 25 years. This is the proper picture of Pratl. ENR Midwest regrets the error.
Obituary
Oscar C. Boldt, chairman of the Appleton, Wis.-based The Boldt Co. and its former CEO, died June 9 at the age of 96. Oscar was the third generation to run Boldt Co., which was founded by his grandfather, Martin. He grew up learning construction from his father, lived through the Great Depression, was an Army Air Corps navigator in World War II and was credited as the individual most responsible for the growth of the company in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He retired as CEO in 1998 and worked as chairman up until his death.
“My Dad was extremely proud of all our field and office employees. He loved the company and the positive impact it has had on so many customers and communities,” current Boldt Co. CEO Tom Boldt said in a note to his 2,000 employees. “He was excited about what we will be capable of in the future. And he wanted us to have fun doing it!”
A memorial celebration in Appleton will be held at a later date.
