Top 10: Chief Construction Officers

Chief Construction Officers, which often comes under President or CEO roles, are vital for the smooth-running of construction projects around the world. The role has a focus on delivery, ensuring that each project can be as cost-effective as possible, while also using high-quality materials.

The leading CCOs also focus on sustainability, especially as the construction sector looks to make significant changes to improve its impact on the environment and local communities. They oversee complex projects, digital transformations and oversee significant revenues.

Today, Construction Digital takes a look at the Top 10 Chief Construction Officers who are implementing sustainability, driving efficiency and championing diversity. 

10. Kyle Larkin

Title: President & CEO
Company: Granite Construction

In his role, Kyle works to build strong, collaborative and innovative teams in order to ensure the growth, sustainability and effectiveness of Granite. He has worked at the company since 1996, holding a range of positions across projects and leadership. 

Kyle is responsible for the development and implementation of short- and long-term companywide strategies and the protection of his team. Under his leadership, Granite has acquired several companies, strengthening and growing its portfolio – especially as it focuses on safety, quality and sustainability.

9. Sheryl Palmer

Title: Chairman and CEO
Company: Taylor Morrison

Sheryl has worked at Taylor Morrison for almost 20 years, taking on the role of President and CEO in 2017. For 11 years in a row, the company has been awarded 'America's Most Trusted Home Builder', demonstrating the success it has achieved under Sheryl's leadership. 

As an innovator, Sheryl has been moving the company's strategy from 'static' digital tools to the use of agentic AI, working to allow customers to virtually build and experience the home before it is constructed.

8. George Pfeffer

Title: Leadership Team Member and CEO
Company: DPR Construction

George has seen the transformation of DPR Construction over the years, being in a leadership role as it has grown. He plays a significant role in ensuring the company is a place of empowerment and inspiration for the next generation. 

He stays aware of construction trends in order to place DPR as a leader in the industry, maintaining an awareness of technology, sustainability and AI to build and implement new strategies across the company.

7. Katrina Dowding

Title: President & CEO
Company: Skanska UK

After joining the company in 2017, Katy became the President and CEO of Skanska UK in 2023. In her role, she has driven the digital and productivity transformation of the company as construction enters a new era. 

She is a champion of inclusion and diversity, uplifting the value of her team in order to unlock their potential and make real change across the sector. Under her leadership Skanska has worked to have a positive impact on local communities while projects are taking place.

6. Tony Lombardo

Title: Group CEO and Managing Director
Company: Lendlease

Tony is driving the "Absolute Zero" target that Lendlease has for 2040, working to eliminate all carbon emissions. Having worked at the company for 18 years, Tony has been the Group CEO since 2021, which is when Lendlease's Mission Zero strategy was launched.

He affirms that this goal will be met through responsible operations and collaboration, as he advocates for decarbonisation across the whole value chain. He also leads the company as it aims to create resilience among communities as they face climate change.

5. Miljan Gutovic

Title: CEO 
Company: Holcim 

Miljan has played a significant role of Holcim's decarbonisation journey, with a determination to transform the future of construction for the better. He leads his team as they develop sustainable construction solutions.

During his career at Holcim, he has driven the company's Operational Excellence initiatives as they focus on green mobility, next-generation technologies and renewable energy. He welcomes new technologies to help unlock transformative potential and is committed to fostering a culture where his team feel safe, nurtured and celebrated.

4. Jean-Louis Servranckx

Title: CEO 
Company: Aecon Group Inc

Jean-Louis has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry, having experienced leading a significant number of large-scale and complex international projects. Under his leadership, Aecon has strengthened its position as a leader in the Small Modular Reactors (SMR) space.

Moreover, he is driving the company towards pursuing nuclear opportunities in order to develop its global reach and offerings. As the company moves towards more specialist builds, it is also leaning towards safety, complexity and efficiency – led by Jean-Louis.

3. Cathal O'Rourke

Title: Group CEO
Company: Laing O'Rourke

To build a sustainable and productive industry, Cathal is an advocate of advanced manufacturing in construction, believing it creates new jobs and saves time across projects. Since taking up the leadership role, he has been embracing technology on behalf of the company, in order to implement further safety and better outcomes for clients. 

Moreover, he takes a collaborative approach across an end-to-end project, with a dedication to driving high quality services. He works towards the future of construction by embracing AI, simplifying contracts to mitigate risk and deliver certainty.

2. Peter J. Davoren

Title: CEO
Company: Turner Construction

As Chairman and CEO, Peter has helped Turner Construction become a leader in construction. Under his leadership, Turner is establishing itself in diverse building markets in North America, with an increasing presence in next generation advanced technology markets. It is also undergoing a period of global expansion, growing its services in Europe, India and Asia.

As a leader, Peter is works to ensure the working environment is authentic and welcoming for all, where staff can be treated with respect and empowered to be their best selves. His commitment expands to improving the economic viability of under-represented businesses and provide more opportunities for small businesses and other enterprises ran by women and local minorities. 

Peter is also Chairman of the ACE Mentor Program, which aims to strengthen the next generation of talent entering the construction industry. Much of his work, both at Turner and ACE, aims to uplift underrepresented people and build resilience in the sector.

1. Brent Byford 

Title: Chief Construction Officer
Company: Keller

Brent has been the Chief Construction Officer at Keller since 2024, providing strategic leadership to the company he has worked at since 2007, working at Hayward Baker. In his role, he oversees the development and implementation of systems, processes and procedures that improve the operational efficiency, profitability and quality of projects across the company. 

Brent oversees projects across engineering, equipment strategy, project delivery systems and cross-functional collaboration, focussing on innovations that can be scaled across the company and deliver measurable outcomes. He promotes cost-effective solutions and group-wide best practices to ensure the business works at its best capacity. 

He also oversees the risk and compliance, making sure Keller adheres to regulations and has embedded risk mitigation across all its project activities. Prior to his role as CCO, Brent has held positions such as Project Manager, Operations Manager, President of Operations for the North America Division and more.