Graycor Construction has brought on longtime Phoenix-area construction executive Brett Helm to lead its expanding operations in the Southwest, a region experiencing surging demand for industrial, data center, and semiconductor projects.

Helm, who brings over 30 years of construction experience to the role, has been named general manager of Graycor’s Southwest Division, according to an April 15 announcement on the company’s LinkedIn page. He will operate out of Graycor’s Phoenix office, where he will be responsible for overseeing current projects and driving strategic growth across high-demand sectors such as advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, retail, and data centers.

“Brett is an exceptional addition to our team, bringing tremendous market expertise and a stellar reputation among his network of clients, subcontractors and colleagues,” said Tim Hanifin, president of Graycor, in the release.

Helm’s career includes leadership positions at several prominent national construction firms. He spent more than 20 years at Redwood City, California-based DPR Construction as a project executive, followed by senior roles at HITT Contracting, Gilbane Building Co., Clayco, and Skanska—all firms with strong presences in the Phoenix market.

In his new role, Helm will not only help guide Graycor’s existing portfolio—particularly its industrial and logistics projects—but will also pursue new opportunities in booming sectors like semiconductors and data infrastructure. Additionally, he’ll play a key role in talent development as Graycor continues to build out its leadership bench in the region.

The Southwest, and Phoenix in particular, has become a hotbed for large-scale industrial development, thanks in part to favorable energy costs and a relatively low risk of natural disasters. This has made the region especially attractive for hyperscale data center developments and chip manufacturing facilities, which require stable power and climate conditions.

According to the company, Graycor sees "Phoenix and the Southwest region as particularly ripe for data center expansion due to the relatively lower cost of power and the decreased threat of natural disasters.”

Several of Graycor’s high-profile projects in the region highlight its growing footprint and expertise in complex industrial builds. These include:

• Elliot Gateway, an industrial park in Mesa, Arizona.
• Rinchem chemical warehouses in Chandler and Surprise, Arizona.
• G303, a 1.25 million-square-foot manufacturing and distribution facility for Mlily in Glendale, Arizona.
• A Unified Cargo Processing facility spanning approximately 635,000 square feet within the SkyBridge Arizona master plan in Mesa.

The company's strategy aligns with broader regional trends, as other major contractors—including Skanska and PCL Construction—have also launched dedicated teams to serve the Southwest’s fast-growing advanced manufacturing sector.

With Helm at the helm of its Southwest division, Graycor aims to strengthen its competitive position and deepen relationships in one of the country’s most active construction markets.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.