Construction
10 construction executives
These ten construction executives hold or have held CEO or president titles at construction companies and general contractors. Readers can learn how construction leaders set strategy, manage offices and project teams, and grow a contracting business over time.
Professionals to explore
01—10Craig Varney
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Sundance Construction Company
Chief Executive Officer of Sundance Construction Company since October 2024 and former President of Business Development there (2013–2024). His profile describes Sundance as a second-generation, family-owned company building across retail, industrial and commercial sectors in Texas and the Southeast. He was Vice President of Retail at Transwestern (2011–2013).
Dave Cavecche
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Bernards
Chief Executive Officer of Bernards since 2022 and former Executive Vice President there (2011–2022); the profile says Bernards has annual revenue over $700 million and was ranked one of the largest general contractors in California. He was Executive Vice President - Western Region at Suffolk Construction (2006–2011) and Operations Manager at Swinerton (1995–2006).
Dave Kievet
LinkedInExperience: CEO & President · The Boldt Group
CEO & President of The Boldt Group since 2024 and Group President at The Boldt Company since 2024. Former Boldt Company roles on the profile include President and Chief Operating Officer (1990–2024), Chief Operating Officer (2018–2020) and Division President (2017–2020), and it describes a history in the construction industry with skills in value engineering, integrated project delivery and lean construction.
George Pontikes
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Satterfield & Pontikes Construction
Chief Executive Officer of Satterfield & Pontikes Construction since 2020 and its Co-Founder & President (1989–2020). The profile says he has been involved in development and construction since the mid-1970s, starting out in the field and serving in roles from laborer and numerous crafts to superintendent, project manager and President.
Gordon Lansford
LinkedInExperience: President & CEO · JE Dunn Construction
President & CEO of JE Dunn Construction since 2014, where the profile says he manages six regions, 26 offices and corporate staff, focusing on strategy, talent development, client service, operational excellence, culture and innovation, and maintains relationships with clients, civic and political leaders and banks. He was EVP & CFO (1998–2013) and Director of Internal Audit (1996–1998) at JE Dunn Construction.
James Murphy
LinkedInExperience: CEO · Willmeng Construction, Inc.
CEO of Willmeng Construction, Inc. since 2006; the profile describes Willmeng, established in 1977, as a commercial general contractor and says that as CEO he focuses on the business needs of a growth market and on initiatives for diversity in service offerings. The profile also lists Project Manager Sr Project Manager Vice President at Willmeng Construction, Inc. (1999–2006).
Jim O'Leary
LinkedInExperience: Chairman & CEO · The Haskell Company
Chairman & CEO of The Haskell Company since February 2026; his other Haskell titles on the profile include Chairman, CEO & President (2020–2026), CEO & President (2018–2020) and President (2017–2018). The profile describes Haskell as delivering over $3 billion annually in architecture, engineering, construction and consulting solutions for complex capital projects worldwide.
Kevin Buchek
LinkedInExperience: President · Roanoke Construction
President of Roanoke Construction since 2012 and former President and CEO (2008–2011), Executive Vice President (2006–2008) and General Counsel (2004–2006) at E.M. Harris Construction Company. The profile says he began in construction as a laborer, returned to the industry after law school and worked his way up to lead EM Harris as President & CEO, while also working in local politics.
Mike Leopardo
LinkedInExperience: Chief Executive Officer · Leopardo Construction
Former Chief Executive Officer of Leopardo Construction (2023–2024), where he was also President CEO (2018–2023), Executive Vice President (2017–2018) and Senior Vice President Founder Institutional Business Unit (1996–2017). The profile says that as CEO he worked with executive leadership to develop the overall business strategy and standards for all of Leopardo's offices, and that he helped grow Leopardo into one of the nation's top general contractors.
Paul Findlay
LinkedInExperience: President · Robinson Construction Company
President of Robinson Construction Company since 1986 and Chief Executive Officer of Robinson Companies, Inc. since 1986. The profile says that across nearly 40 years in the construction industry he has worked as a project surveyor, designer, crew member, estimator, project manager and department head, and is now an executive and owner.
Choose the right perspective
Match the executive's company type and scale to yours, since a national builder with many offices faces different questions than a regional or family-owned contractor. For finance, legal or preconstruction questions, favor people whose listed roles include that function.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you decide which markets and project types a construction company should pursue?
- 02What does it take to protect margins on fixed-price construction contracts?
- 03How do you plan leadership succession at a family-owned or closely held contractor?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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