Midwest People: November/December 2023
Michael Williams, Black & Veatch interim chief financial officer since June, has been appointed CFO. Williams joined Black & Veatch in 2011 and previously served as senior vice president of finance and treasurer. The company, which employs more than 350 finance professionals, reported 2021 revenue of more than $3.3 billion.
Paul Owen has joined HDR as president of the firm’s environmental, operations and construction group, which employs more than 450 environmental scientists, planners, construction management/inspection staff and professionals worldwide. Owen has more than 30 years of related experience, including serving in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and aiding in the disaster response of unwatering tunnels in New York City after Superstorm Sandy. While in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Owen served as commander of the New York and Afghanistan districts and served as chief of staff and commanding general for the Southwestern division and then the South Pacific division. A licensed civil engineer, Owen also has a degree in aerospace engineering and advanced degrees in engineering management and nuclear engineering.
President and CEO Greg Gossett transitioned effective Jan. 1 to focus on the CEO role at Indianapolis-headquartered ERMCO Inc., which provides electrical systems and automation expertise. Gossett will remain in the role throughout 2023, working with the executive team to create and enact the company’s strategic plan and ensuring its ongoing viability. Additionally, Gossett will continue to serve as chairman of the board. At the same time, David Peterson ERMCO’s executive vice president and COO, has assumed the role of president and will continue as COO. Peterson has taken on full responsibilities for the organization’s day-to-day activities and has joined ERMCO’s board of directors.
Cathie Funderburg has joined Clayco as senior director of corporate services. She will lead day-to-day operations at large, high-growth companies. Funderburg will be responsible for directing and controlling the activities of the strategic facilities planning process, corporate capital portfolio management for all U.S. Clayco offices (excluding jobsite mobilization), planning and design, PM practices, corporate engineering standards and specifications as well as the development of the global capital long-range plan. She will oversee facility operations, maintenance and management as well as team member services and amenities, space and master planning, project management and planning, budgeting and procurement of furniture, fixtures and equipment and office supplies. She also will be responsible for Clayco’s capital investment governance and business processes to ensure proper evaluation, cross-functional review and decision-making related to USA capital investments.
Hanson Professional Services has added several new staffers. Collin Harding, roadway technician, recently joined the Springfield, Ill., headquarters office. He will assist with infrastructure plan production and various projects by providing computer-aided design. Daniel Paine, senior right-of-way specialist, and Graham Bethel are new hires in the Indianapolis office. Paine will serve as a member of the right-of-way engineering team on state and local projects necessary for land acquisition. Bethel will work on projects for the Indiana Dept. of Transportation and various public agencies within Indiana.
