LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Catamount Constructors, Inc., a 100% employee-owned ENR Top 400 Contractor, has appointed Tom Alford as Chief Operating Officer (COO), adding nearly three decades of operational leadership experience to its executive team.
The newly created role is designed to strengthen the company’s ability to scale nationally while maintaining disciplined execution, safety oversight, and performance accountability. Alford will be based in Catamount’s Denver office and will oversee companywide operational processes, safety performance, business unit alignment, and risk management across all markets.
A Strategic Leadership Move to Support Scalable Growth
The creation of the COO position reflects Catamount’s long-term leadership strategy to expand responsibly while preserving operational consistency. As the company continues to grow across commercial, multifamily, healthcare, and industrial sectors, executive leadership emphasized the importance of strengthening centralized oversight.
“Tom brings extensive operational expertise, strong leadership instincts, and a collaborative, values-driven approach that aligns well with Catamount’s employee-ownership culture,” said James Benning, CEO of Catamount. “His experience in both construction and development provides a balanced perspective that supports our teams and enhances the client experience.”
In his role, Alford will focus on refining internal processes, reinforcing safety standards, guiding teams through complex risk environments, and ensuring high-quality project delivery nationwide.
Nearly 30 Years of Cross-Sector Construction Leadership
With close to 30 years of experience spanning construction and development, Alford brings leadership expertise across multifamily, healthcare, higher education, life sciences, office, and hospitality markets.
Most recently, he served as COO at Pinkard Construction in Denver. His prior leadership roles include senior positions at Saunders Construction and Hensel Phelps Construction Co., along with development roles at Phelps Development and McWhinney.
Alford began his career in field operations and has held positions in operations management, preconstruction, and business development. This comprehensive background gives him insight into project execution, financial controls, team coordination, and client satisfaction.
His development experience is expected to further align construction delivery with owner priorities, lifecycle cost considerations, and long-term asset value.
Strengthening Safety, Accountability and Market Execution
As COO, Alford will lead safety and business unit performance initiatives while ensuring consistency in project execution standards across Catamount’s regional offices. The company currently operates in Atlanta, Denver, San Antonio, and Tampa.
The leadership appointment reinforces Catamount’s broader commitment to accountability, operational discipline, and strategic succession planning. As a 100% employee-owned organization, leadership alignment and cultural continuity remain central to its growth model.
Beyond his professional career, Alford is active in the Denver construction community. He currently serves on the board of the Construction Education Foundation of Colorado and previously held board positions with the Associated General Contractors of Colorado, the Good Samaritan Medical Center Foundation, and the University of Colorado Denver College of Construction Engineering and Management Advisory Board.
He earned both a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington.
With nearly three decades of experience and a field-to-executive career trajectory, Alford’s appointment signals Catamount’s focus on strengthening operational infrastructure as it pursues sustained national expansion.
About Catamount Constructors, Inc.
Catamount Constructors, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned construction management and general contracting firm with 29 years of experience. Ranked in Engineering News-Record’s Top 400 National Contractors for nineteen consecutive years, the company serves commercial, build-to-rent, education, healthcare, government, industrial, and multifamily markets nationwide.
Originally reported by Catamount Constructors, Inc.
.webp)
