10 construction executives
Construction executives reach the top job by different routes, and this group shows several: internal audit and CFO at JE Dunn, general counsel at E.M. Harris, retail real estate brokerage, and years in the field as laborers, surveyors and estimators. Nine of the ten still hold a CEO or president title, a fit for a contractor weighing growth into new regions or sectors, a succession plan or how much project risk to carry.
Professionals to explore
Craig Varney
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Sundance Construction Company
A retail and brokerage background sets Craig Varney apart: Vice President of Retail at Transwestern (2011 to 2013) and Vice President of Brokerage at BPI Realty Services, Inc. (2008 to 2011). Varney was President of Business Development at Sundance Construction Company from 2013 to 2024 and has been its Chief Executive Officer since October 2024, describing it as second-generation, family-owned and building across retail, industrial and commercial sectors.
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Dave Cavecche
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Bernards
Field and executive views of a California general contractor both come through in Dave Cavecche's career: Chief Executive Officer of Bernards since 2022, after Executive Vice President there from 2011 to 2022 and Executive Vice President - Western Region at Suffolk Construction (2006 to 2011). Cavecche also worked as an Operations Manager at Swinerton and as estimator, project manager and superintendent at Cavecche Engineering & Construction.
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Dave Kievet
LinkedInExperience: CEO & President · The Boldt Group
Value engineering, integrated project delivery and lean construction are skills Dave Kievet lists, a fit for questions on delivery methods. Kievet has been CEO & President of The Boldt Group since 2024 and Group President of The Boldt Company since February 2024, with other Boldt titles including President and Chief Operating Officer, Chief Operating Officer (2018 to 2020) and Division President (2017 to 2020).
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George Pontikes
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Satterfield & Pontikes Construction
George Pontikes has been Chief Executive Officer of Satterfield & Pontikes Construction since 2020 and was its Co-Founder & President from 1989 to 2020. Pontikes has been involved in development and construction since the mid-1970s, working in the field from laborer through crafts to superintendent and project manager, so founder succession and growth from a field start are fitting subjects.
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Gordon Lansford
LinkedInExperience: President & CEO · JE Dunn Construction
The finance-to-CEO route and multi-region management are the obvious subjects for Gordon Lansford, President & CEO of JE Dunn Construction since 2014, after EVP & CFO there from 1998 to 2013 and Director of Internal Audit from 1996 to 1998. In Lansford's own words the job means managing six regions, 26 offices and corporate staff, with a focus on strategy, talent and client service.
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James Murphy
LinkedInExperience: CEO · Willmeng Construction, Inc.
Contractors deciding which services to add are a fit for James Murphy, CEO since 2006 of Willmeng Construction, Inc., a commercial general contractor established in 1977, where Murphy held Project Manager, Sr Project Manager and Vice President titles from 1999 to 2006. As CEO, Murphy focuses on business needs in a growth market and on diversifying service offerings.
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Jim O'Leary
LinkedInExperience: Chairman & CEO · The Haskell Company
Design-build and large capital project questions fit Jim O'Leary, Chairman & CEO of The Haskell Company since February 2026, with earlier titles there as Chairman, CEO & President (2020 to 2026), CEO & President (2018 to 2020) and President (2017 to 2018). Haskell describes itself as delivering over $3 billion a year in architecture, engineering, construction and consulting for complex capital projects worldwide.
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Kevin Buchek
LinkedInExperience: President · Roanoke Construction
Contract risk and the lawyer's view of a contractor's exposure are good subjects for Kevin Buchek, President of Roanoke Construction since 2012. Buchek was President and CEO of E.M. Harris Construction Company from 2008 to 2011, after Executive Vice President (2006 to 2008) and General Counsel (2004 to 2006) there, and began in construction as a laborer and returned after law school.
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Mike Leopardo
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Leopardo Construction
Mike Leopardo was Chief Executive Officer of Leopardo Construction from 2023 to 2024 and President CEO from 2018 to 2023, with earlier titles there of Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President Founder Institutional Business Unit and Project Manager. As CEO, Leopardo worked with the executive team on business strategy and standards for all of the company's offices, a fit for questions on growing a family contractor.
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Paul Findlay
LinkedInExperience: President · Robinson Construction Company
Paul Findlay has been President of Robinson Construction Company and Chief Executive Officer of Robinson Companies, Inc. since 1986. Findlay describes nearly 40 years in construction working as project surveyor, designer, crew member, estimator, project manager and department head before becoming executive and owner, so an owner-operator's view of running a construction company is the natural fit.
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Choose the right perspective
For running many regions and offices, Gordon Lansford and Mike Leopardo describe that scale most directly, Jim O'Leary fits large design-build and capital projects, and Dave Kievet speaks to lean construction and integrated project delivery. Owners of family or founder-led firms will find closer peers in Paul Findlay, George Pontikes and Craig Varney, James Murphy speaks to adding service lines, and Kevin Buchek adds the legal and contract angle.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How did you decide which new region or building sector to enter, and what project size did you start with there?
- 02Which contract types and clauses do you now refuse, and what risk did each one cost you before?
- 03How do you prepare the next president of a family or founder-led construction company?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot; roles marked former had ended by then. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.