Brian Ramsay at Chicago-based W. E. O’Neil Construction is transitioning from CEO to chairman of the board, while John Finn will take the CEO title, moving from his role as COO and president of the California region. In addition, Mike Byrne, previously executive vice president of the California region, will become president of the region’s five offices. Damian Eallonardo, currently an executive vice president in Chicago, has been promoted to president of the Chicago region and will transition to regional president of the Chicago and Texas regions. John Russell, who currently holds that job, will retire in June.

Kansas City, Mo.-based McCownGordon Construction has elevated Ramin Cherafat to chairman of its board of directors and named three new board members: COO Steve Levy, who will serve as the third inside board member along with Cherafat and Jeff Placek, chief financial officer. The other two additions are Ken Williams, former CFO and board member of engineering firm Black & Veatch, and Linda McMahon, CEO of the Dallas Economic Development Corp. They join company founder Pat McCown and Craig Davis, former CEO of Performance Contracting Group, as outside board members. In addition, Nancy Whitworth, chief people officer, is retiring, and Brandi Riggs is stepping into the role of senior vice president, people/human resources. Emily Tilgner has been named senior vice president for building performance solutions, and Freddy Allison, a 24-year veteran of the company, will oversee all manufacturing projects as vice president of operations. Justin Hamilton has been named vice president, business unit leader for the food and beverage markets. Travis Huffman has been appointed vice president, business unit leader and will lead the regional higher education market.

Olathe-Kan.-based engineering consulting firm Terracon has named Emily Kosmalski associate director of national accounts. As a principal with Terracon, Kosmalski brings more than 18 years of experience to her new role, including serving as national account manager, AICP-certified planner and environmental planning manager in the Atlanta office.

Chicago-based Wold Architects & Engineers, a planning, architecture and engineering firm specializing in education, government, health care and senior living design, has announced the promotions of Elizabeth Palmer, Jonathan Kuzynowski, Rebecca Rymsza and Sara Kelzenberg to the firm’s associates leadership team. Palmer and Kelzenberg are based in the company’s St. Paul, Minn., office, and Kuzynowski and Rymsza are in the Chicago office.

North Canton, Ohio-based AWP Safety, which provides traffic safety services, has appointed Michelle Marsh as senior vice president of the company’s environmental, health and safety program.

NewGround, a St. Louis-based architectural design and build firm, has named Danielle Calcara to the newly created role of senior vice president of marketing. She brings 17 years of marketing experience and will lead NewGround’s marketing efforts as the company continues to invest in its new headquarters and showroom in Clayton, Mo.

Nixon Peabody LLP has named Michael Melzer a partner. Based in the Chicago office, Melzer focuses on helping clients navigate complex financial structures for public finance matters. Melzer has experience in project and public finance, including in public power and utilities, transportation, convention and tourism, education, health care, senior living and economic development.