A major contractor in the Windy City is turning the page after 100 years in the construction business.
Chicago-based W.E. O’Neil Construction appointed John Finn to the role of CEO as longtime Chief Executive Brian Ramsay prepares to retire, according to a company news release.
Ramsay, who joined the company in 1988 as a project engineer, became CEO in 2014. During his tenure at the helm, W.E. O’Neil expanded its national presence and transitioned to 100% employee ownership.
Ramsay will continue to serve the company, which is also celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, as board chairman while beginning his transition into retirement, according to the release.
Finn, formerly the contractor’s chief operating officer and president of its California region, will step into the CEO role, according to the company. He has led W.E. O’Neil’s California operations for over a decade, overseeing expansion into the San Diego and Northern California markets while contributing to other major projects nationwide.
Finn previously worked at Baltimore-based Whiting-Turner before moving to W.E. O’Neil in 2001, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Along with the CEO switch, the firm announced two other leadership moves.
First, the contractor promoted Mike Byrne to president of its California region, where he previously served as executive vice president.
Next, Damian Eallonardo, currently an executive vice president, will take over as president of the Chicago region. Eallonardo will also assume oversight of both the Chicago and Texas regions in June when regional president John Russell retires, according to the release.
