Growing demand for energy, utility, industrial and infrastructure projects is driving leadership changes across major engineering and construction organizations. Burns & McDonnell has announced two senior leadership appointments aimed at supporting operations across its Western and Midwest markets while maintaining oversight of self-perform construction services nationwide.
The employee-owned engineering, construction and consulting company promoted Jeff Allen to senior vice president of the Americas West region and named Adam Matthiesen as general manager of its Midwest Region.
In his new role, Allen will oversee operations throughout Burns & McDonnell's California, Mountain and Southwest regions. His responsibilities span engineering, construction, consulting and environmental services supporting clients in the energy, infrastructure and buildings sectors.
Allen will also retain leadership of the firm's self-perform construction operations across the United States.
With nearly three decades of construction industry experience, Allen has managed large-scale infrastructure programs serving electric power and industrial clients. His background includes project management, procurement, labor relations, construction management and field execution. Since joining Burns & McDonnell more than 15 years ago, he has helped expand the company's self-perform construction capabilities as demand for critical infrastructure projects has increased.
Burns & McDonnell also selected Matthiesen to lead its Midwest Region beginning July 1. The region includes offices in Missouri, Ohio and Illinois and employs more than 500 employee-owners.
Matthiesen succeeds Senior Vice President Breck Washam, who plans to retire in early 2027 after nearly two decades of regional leadership.
As general manager, Matthiesen will oversee engineering, construction and consulting operations serving clients throughout the Central and Upper Midwest. Regional work includes projects in energy, power, water, environmental, industrial and manufacturing markets.
Matthiesen joined Burns & McDonnell in 2009 and most recently served as operations director for the Midwest Region. Prior to assuming regional leadership responsibilities, he spent more than a decade in the company's Houston office, managing multidisciplinary engineering and construction teams on projects across the country.
The leadership changes come as utilities, manufacturers and public agencies continue investing in grid modernization, power generation, water systems and industrial facilities. Engineering and construction firms are increasingly expanding management capacity to support growing project pipelines and increasingly complex infrastructure programs.
Burns & McDonnell operates from more than 75 offices worldwide and delivers engineering, construction, environmental and consulting services across multiple infrastructure sectors.
The company noted that Allen's expanded responsibilities will help coordinate operations throughout the Western United States while maintaining oversight of self-perform construction activities. Matthiesen's appointment provides continuity for the Midwest Region following a period of significant growth under Washam's leadership.
For construction owners, developers and infrastructure stakeholders, the appointments reinforce Burns & McDonnell's focus on strengthening regional leadership as project activity continues across energy, industrial, manufacturing and utility markets.
The changes place experienced engineering and construction executives in key operational roles responsible for delivering complex infrastructure programs, while supporting workforce growth and project execution capabilities across two major U.S. regions.
Source: Burns&McDonnell.
