COLUMBUS, Ohio — Paul J. Ford & Company (PJF), a 100% employee-owned structural and civil engineering firm serving the telecommunications, buildings and power industries, has appointed longtime executive Brian Greene as its new president. Greene succeeds David Hawkins, who has served as president since 2016.
The company’s board of directors selected Greene following his nearly two decades as chief financial officer, a role in which he helped guide the firm’s financial strategy, organizational planning and expansion of service offerings across its core markets.
“Given his extensive experience at PJF and insight into all aspects of our operations, Brian is the logical choice to lead the company into the next phase of growth and development,” said Thomas Gambino, PJF board chair and the founder of Atlanta-based Prime Engineering, Inc. (now part of Stratus). “I know that Brian and the talented engineers who have made their mark in the telecommunications, buildings, and power industries will create new opportunities for the business while they continue to deliver creative and innovative solutions for PJF customers.”
Greene joined PJF in 2008 and played a central role in the firm’s transition to full employee ownership in 2015. Working closely with Hawkins, he helped shape the company’s long-term business strategy and reinforce its collaborative, customer- and employee-focused culture.
“I am excited to continue leading PJF, now in my role as president, and for the opportunity to work alongside our dedicated and collaborative team of engineers and sector leaders who have been an integral part of PJF for decades,” said Greene. “PJF will continue to deliver solutions that meet the complex engineering needs of our expanding national customer base across the telecommunications, buildings and power industries that have been the core of our business for more than 60 years.”
The leadership transition also includes the recent promotions of Justin Kline to vice president of telecommunications and Chad Hines to vice president of buildings and power. Kline will continue overseeing PJF’s telecommunications practice, which is known for its specialized expertise in the design, analysis and modification of towers and monopoles. Hines will lead both the buildings and power teams, which focus on advanced engineering solutions for facilities, high-voltage transmission and substations.
Together, Greene, Kline and Hines will continue expanding PJF’s integrated civil and structural engineering services across complex telecommunications, power infrastructure and building projects nationwide.
Greene succeeds Hawkins, who began his career at PJF in 1985 and became a nationally recognized authority in telecommunications structures. Hawkins holds several U.S. patents for monopole reinforcement and has played a leadership role within the Telecommunications Industry Association, which develops industry standards and specifications.
“It has been a privilege to serve PJF and to work alongside a team committed to solving complex engineering challenges with integrity and innovation,” said Hawkins. “I am proud of what we have built together, and I’m both excited and confident for Brian to take over as president in growing and leading the company forward. I know that Brian, Justin, Chad, as well as our incredibly talented engineering teams, will set up the company for success for its next 60 years.”
Founded in Columbus in 1965, Paul J. Ford & Company provides structural and civil engineering solutions throughout the full lifecycle of design, development and construction. The firm has evolved from a local building engineering practice into a national leader in telecommunications and electric power infrastructure by investing in people, embracing complexity and responding to clients’ evolving technical needs.
Originally reported by PAUL J. FORD & COMPANY in Utility Dive.
