TEMPE, Ariz. — Sundt Construction, one of the nation’s largest employee-owned builders, has appointed Cade Rowley as its new president and chief executive officer, marking a major leadership transition for the 125-year-old firm.
Rowley succeeds Mike Hoover, who served as CEO since 2016 and will now move into the role of executive chairman. The leadership change, announced October 1, 2025, underscores Sundt’s continued evolution from a regional contractor to a national powerhouse with a growing footprint across the United States.
“I have no doubt he will continue to build on our legacy and lead Sundt to even greater success in the years ahead,” Hoover said in the company’s announcement.
Rowley’s career with Sundt spans more than two decades of leadership and operational experience. He first joined the company in 1998 as a field engineer in its Heavy Civil Group, now known as the Transportation Group. Over the years, he took on progressively senior roles in business development, preconstruction, and operations, before becoming senior vice president of the Transportation Group.
In 2022, Rowley was promoted to lead Sundt’s Industrial Group, where his leadership was instrumental in driving unprecedented growth. Under his direction, the division tripled its annual revenue to over $1.3 billion in less than three years.
That success positioned Sundt as a more diversified and competitive builder across multiple markets, including transportation infrastructure, manufacturing, higher education, water treatment, and industrial facilities.
Once known primarily as a Southwest-based construction firm, Sundt has, under the guidance of leaders like Rowley and Hoover, expanded its national presence. The company now operates offices and job sites in more than two dozen states, taking on major projects that range from large-scale civil infrastructure to complex design-build facilities.
In his previous roles, Rowley was credited with helping Sundt strengthen its strategic partnerships, workforce development programs, and technology-driven construction practices, aligning the company with emerging market opportunities in sectors such as renewable energy, data centers, and public infrastructure.
Industry observers say the leadership transition comes at a pivotal moment, as construction firms face challenges tied to labor shortages, supply chain volatility, and sustainability pressures. Sundt’s focus on employee ownership and workforce training has given it a competitive advantage, allowing it to maintain a strong culture of innovation and safety.
As Rowley steps into the CEO position, the firm expects a seamless transition marked by continuity in values and vision. Sundt’s reputation for operational excellence, combined with Rowley’s proven record of growth management, positions the firm for sustained success.
Rowley’s leadership style, rooted in collaboration and empowerment, reflects Sundt’s core commitment to its employee-owners. Colleagues describe him as both a strategic thinker and a field-minded leader who understands the complexities of construction at every level—from planning to execution.
Under Rowley’s direction, the company is expected to continue expanding into new geographic regions and emerging markets, while maintaining its focus on safety, quality, and community engagement.
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Outgoing CEO Mike Hoover leaves behind a legacy of stability and growth. During his nearly decade-long tenure, he helped guide Sundt through periods of economic fluctuation, positioning the company as one of the most respected general contractors in the nation.
Hoover’s move to executive chairman ensures that his experience and mentorship will remain central to Sundt’s future. The transition also highlights the company’s commitment to developing leaders from within, a hallmark of its employee-ownership model.
Sundt’s leadership change follows a broader trend of executive transitions across major construction firms. Earlier in 2025, Chicago-based W.E. O’Neill appointed John Finn as its new CEO, while Balfour Beatty in London elevated Philip Hoare to group CEO following Leo Quinn’s retirement.
The wave of leadership shifts signals a generational change in construction leadership, as firms adapt to digital transformation, climate goals, and workforce evolution.
For Sundt, the appointment of Cade Rowley marks both continuity and renewal. His deep understanding of the company’s operations and culture—combined with his record of strategic expansion—positions the firm to take on the next phase of growth and innovation.
As the company’s first major leadership handoff in nearly a decade, the move reinforces Sundt’s confidence in its long-term strategy of sustainable growth, employee empowerment, and industry leadership.
Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.
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