KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Burns & McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned engineering and construction firm, announced several leadership appointments designed to strengthen how the company partners with clients to plan, design and build critical infrastructure during an era of rapid transformation.

“Our success begins and ends with how we serve our clients,” says Leslie M. Duke, chair and CEO of Burns & McDonnell. “These leadership appointments strengthen our ability to deliver smarter, faster and safer solutions while maintaining our culture of collaboration and innovation. Together, we’re building the future — one project, one partnership and one community at a time.”

Energy

Joe Podrebarac, a high-impact leader with extensive firm experience, has been promoted to lead the firm’s Energy market, advancing the firm’s ability to deliver safe, reliable and innovative energy solutions. Podrebarac will oversee the firm’s Transmission & Distribution, Power, and Oil, Gas & Chemical groups during a time of foundational change in the industry.

“Our clients are navigating tremendous shifts in the energy landscape,” Podrebarac says. “It’s a privilege to lead our Energy teams as we continue helping clients build reliable and resilient systems and deliver on their commitments to progress for the communities they serve.”

With 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Podrebarac specializes in planning and executing complex engineer-procure-construct (EPC) projects bringing together multidisciplinary teams. His work as the firm’s first chief safety officer further strengthened the safety culture at Burns & McDonnell, guiding programs empowering teams to make safer decisions and achieve even stronger project outcomes.

Water

Ron Williams has been selected by Burns & McDonnell to serve as the general manager for the Water Group. With more than 30 years leading water and infrastructure teams, Williams brings deep knowledge in water, alternative delivery and water operations services. His experience includes technical execution, business development, profit-and-loss responsibility and overall leadership of major infrastructure initiatives.

He has a strong track record of building trust with teams while delivering large, complex projects across the country. His client engagement includes the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power; City of San Diego; Metro Water Recovery; New York Department of Environmental Protection; City of Tampa, Florida; City of Jackson, Mississippi; Pima County Wastewater; and the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

Throughout his career, Williams has led high-performing teams across North America, bringing both a regional perspective and a national outlook to every role. He is an active supporter and advocate of the Society of Women Engineers, Black Engineer of the Year Awards STEM Conference and the National Society of Black Engineers.  

Williams succeeds Ron Coker, who is moving to a new role as local market and governmental development leader, in which he will align company objectives and investments in these areas, with a focus in Kansas City. Coker has a long history in the region from a civic perspective as well as from leading several billion dollars of innovative project delivery and infrastructure investment.

Over the course of a two-decade career at Burns & McDonnell, Coker’s local projects include leading Kansas City’s Capital Improvements Management Office, a $1.5 billion award winning public-private partnership, Kansas City’s $4.5 billion Smart Sewer Program, and meaningful infrastructure projects across the region.

International

Chad Hotovec has been named vice president of international operations, following his successful tenure as CEO of Burns & McDonnell India (BMI).

Hotovec joined Burns & McDonnell in 2006 and has played a key role in expanding the firm’s international footprint. During eight years in India, he led the team through significant growth and improved operational efficiency, and he oversaw the opening of the firm’s Bangalore office.

In his new role, Hotovec will strengthen global strategy, reinforce governance and client partnerships, and drive value creation across international operations.

About Burns & McDonnell

Working from more than 75 offices around the world, Burns & McDonnell designs and builds critical infrastructure. Our family of companies — driven by engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists — delivers projects grounded in safety and a desire to make a difference as we make our clients successful. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn more.