KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Burns & McDonnell, a 100% employee-owned engineering and construction firm, appointed Kelly Jeffcote as its chief procurement officer and administrative director and Jim Swanski as its chief information officer, and named Joe Podrebarac, Mark Swanson and Allen Xi to the firm’s board of directors.

“Strong, forward-looking leadership is essential as we continue to grow and support increasingly complex client needs,” says Leslie M. Duke, chair and CEO. “These leadership and board appointments strengthen our ability to remain agile, innovative and focused on delivering long-term value for our clients.”

Kelly Jeffcote, chief procurement officer and administrative director

Jeffcote leads global procurement strategy for Burns & McDonnell, overseeing corporate and construction procurement and enterprise supply chain operations supporting approximately $6 billion in annual spend. Her expanded role also includes oversight of facilities, office services, travel, security and business continuity. A trusted leader with deep institutional knowledge, Jeffcote has been with the firm since 2008 and previously served as vice president of procurement.

Jim Swanski, chief information officer

Swanski serves as chief information officer, leading the transformation of the firm’s IT organization. He oversees cybersecurity, technology infrastructure, enterprise applications, artificial intelligence and data operations. With more than 25 years of technology leadership experience across complex environments, including early leadership roles in the U.S. Navy, Swanski has held progressive roles across enterprise IT, construction technology and 1898 & Co. since joining the firm in 2017.

Board of Director Appointments

Podrebarac, Swanson and Xi are new members of the board of directions, joining Duke as well as fellow officers Chris Baxter, Jamey Bertram, Paul Fischer, Renita Mollman and Alissa Schuessler.

Podrebarac, a senior vice president, leads the firm’s Energy market, overseeing the firm’s Transmission & Distribution, Power, and Oil, Gas & Chemical groups during a time of foundational change in the industry. During his 24-year career at Burns & McDonnell, Podrebarac has built a reputation for strong business acumen and exceptional delivery of engineer-procure-construct (EPC) projects. Most recently, as chief safety officer, he reinvigorated the firm’s safety culture and advanced the program through impactful initiatives.

Swanson, a senior vice president, serves as general manager of the Oil, Gas & Chemical (OGC) Group, providing leadership and strategy for some of the firm’s most complex projects. With more than 25 years at Burns & McDonnell and nearly 30 years in the industry, he has spent his career working alongside the firm’s employee-owners and clients to build new and distinctive market sectors and businesses. Swanson is recognized for building strong partnerships, solving complex challenges, and creating long-term value for clients and communities.

Xi, an executive vice president, leads the firm’s Americas South Region, overseeing large EPC projects and developing enterprise level alliance relationships. Xi has been with Burns & McDonnell since joining the firm in 2000 as an electrical engineer. He has held roles of increasing responsibility, including leading the South Central Region’s transmission and distribution business and most recently serving as general manager of the South Central Region, with a sustained focus on profitable growth and client success.

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.