Kansas City-based McCownGordon Construction has announced key leadership changes, including the appointment of three new members to its board of directors and the elevation of Chief Executive Officer Ramin Cherafat to chair of the board.

The newly appointed board members bring a broad range of industry expertise and leadership experience. Steve Levy, the company’s chief operating officer, will serve as the third internal board member, joining Cherafat and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Placek on the inside team. Levy has more than 30 years of hands-on construction operations experience and a background that spans fieldwork, technology integration, and organizational growth.

“As COO, Levy provides deep understanding of the company’s day-to-day operations as well as a vision of how processes and protocols can be advanced to scale and accommodate strategic growth and future success,” the company noted in its announcement. “With more than 30 years of construction operations experience, including serving as a field superintendent, his operational acumen spans the full gamut from construction to industry technological advancements to leadership development.”

Levy also brings valuable regional insight, having worked in the Dallas-Fort Worth area for two decades.

Joining Levy on the board as external members are Ken Williams, former CFO and board member at global engineering powerhouse Black & Veatch, and Linda McMahon, current CEO of the Dallas Economic Development Corporation.

Williams brings deep financial and operational expertise from his tenure at Black & Veatch, where he oversaw global financial functions and served on key strategic committees. “Williams will leverage his expertise from Black & Veatch, where he led the company’s global financial operations including treasury, tax, accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and financial systems, as well as leading the company’s facilities and real estate operations,” the company stated.

In addition to his work at Black & Veatch, Williams held leadership roles at Fluor Corporation and World Vision International.

McMahon adds strength to the board in the areas of economic development, governance, and real estate. “McMahon brings deep business, financial and real estate expertise to the board and is seasoned in governance, strategy and oversight,” the company said. She leads strategic development initiatives in Dallas and previously headed The Real Estate Council (TREC), following a 30-year career in finance at JPMorgan Chase.

They join existing board members Pat McCown, the company’s founder, and Craig Davis, former CEO of Performance Contracting Group.

CEO Ramin Cherafat, who has been with McCownGordon for 25 years and has led the company as CEO for the past seven years, was named Chair of the Board. He will continue to lead the company while steering strategic vision and governance at the board level.

“Cherafat… has been elected as Chair of the Board of Directors and will continue to work closely with the Board of Directors and Leadership Team to keep advancing the company’s long-term strategic plan,” the announcement read.

The board expansion comes as McCownGordon continues to grow its geographic footprint and workforce across the central and southern U.S.

Originally reported by Re journals.