Bob Howell named President, CEO of SSOE Group

SSOE’s Board of Directors announced that it has selected Bob Howell to be the next President and CEO of SSOE Group—a global engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM) firm. Effective December 3, 2014, Bob Howell will assume the reins from current CEO, Tony Damon, who announced his plans to retire late last year.

"This exciting milestone marks neither the beginning nor end of this important transition for the company. Succession planning for this critical position has been in the forefront of SSOE’s organizational structure and decision making for many years, and now that Bob has been named, this important process will continue. We are confident that Bob’s proven leadership, and the vision he has articulated for the company, will continue the exceptional history of success we have enjoyed under Tony’s tenure.” commented Dave Sipes, SSOE’s Chairman of the Board.

Bob Howell has been with SSOE for more than 30 years, and has served on the management team throughout the growth SSOE has enjoyed in recent years. Bob has been very influential in SSOE’s international growth. He transitions from his current role of Executive Vice President (EVP) / Chief Operations Officer (COO), as well as previous positions as Chairman of the Board, Strategic Business Unit and Division manager.

Addressing employees, outgoing CEO, Tony Damon remarked, “I will forever appreciate the trust and confidence you have placed in me during my 13 years as CEO, and for the 37 years you have allowed me to work side by side with you in building this firm. While it is inevitable that some things will change under Bob’s leadership, I am confident his experience, perspective, and leadership will continue SSOE’s legacy and trajectory of growth."

In October, at the start of SSOE’s planning year, Bob will lead the company’s business planning process to prepare for his official assumption of CEO duties in December. During the months leading up to the official transition, Bob and Tony will work together to introduce his vision to SSOE’s employees, clients, and trusted partners. “This vision, which was laid out for the Board’s review as part of the selection process, sets a lofty course for the company’s future. However, it is very much in line with our unwavering mission to make our clients successful by saving them time, trouble, and money,” explained Damon.

In response to the announcement, CEO-elect, Bob Howell stated “It is a very humbling and tremendous honor to lead this great company and its employees into the next chapter of our history. Tony’s leadership style and success have set a high standard. I look forward to guiding our continuing journey toward the ultimate goal of being a world class, global project delivery firm."

To assure a smooth transition, Tony has accepted an offer to remain in an advisory position to the Board throughout the upcoming year.

Global management consulting firm McKinsey recently launched the Net Zero Built Environment Council, a cross-sector coalition of industry stakeholders aiming to decarbonize the built world. The council’s chief goal is to collaboratively create new pathways to cut greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.

SOM's Shenton Way tower rendering SOM, Bezier

High-rise Construction | Dec 7, 2022

SOM reveals its design for Singapore’s tallest skyscraper

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) has revealed its design for 8 Shenton Way—a mixed-use tower that will stand 63 stories and 305 meters (1,000 feet) high, becoming Singapore’s tallest skyscraper. The design team also plans to make the building one of Asia’s most sustainable skyscrapers. The tower incorporates post-pandemic design features.

SAP Academy for Engineering, designed by HGA Photo Chad Davies

Office Buildings | Dec 7, 2022

Software giant SAP opens engineering academy for its global engineering workforce

Software giant SAP has opened its new SAP Academy for Engineering on the company’s San Ramon, Calif. campus. Designed by HGA, the Engineering Academy will provide professional development opportunities for SAP’s global engineering workforce. At the Engineering Academy, cohorts from SAP offices across the globe will come together for intensive, six-month training programs.

Consisting of two towers, the buildings will form a striking gateway into LeBreton Flats. Rendering courtesy Dream LeBreton

Multifamily Housing | Dec 7, 2022

Canada’s largest net-zero carbon residential community to include affordable units

The newly unveiled design for Canada’s largest net-zero carbon residential community includes two towers that will create a new destination within Ottawa and form a striking gateway into LeBreton Flats. The development will be transit-oriented, mixed-income, mixed-use, and include unprecedented sustainability targets. Dream LeBreton is a partnership between real estate companies Dream Asset Management, Dream Impact, and local non-profit MultiFaith Housing Initiative.

Aerial of the 51-story 320 South Canal tower in Chicago looking northeast. Photo: Ian Jolipa

Office Buildings | Dec 6, 2022

‘Chicago’s healthiest office tower’ achieves LEED Gold, WELL Platinum, and WiredScore Platinum

Goettsch Partners (GP) recently completed 320 South Canal, billed as “Chicago’s healthiest office tower,” according to the architecture firm. Located across the street from Chicago Union Station and close to major expressways, the 51-story tower totals 1,740,000 sf. It includes a conference center, fitness center, restaurant, to-go market, branch bank, and a cocktail lounge in an adjacent structure, as well as parking for 324 cars/electric vehicles and 114 bicycles.

Wilson Tower Austin by HKS and Wilson Capital

Multifamily Housing | Dec 6, 2022

Austin's new 80-story multifamily tower will be the tallest building in Texas

Recently announced plans for Wilson Tower, a high-rise multifamily building in downtown Austin, Texas, indicate that it will be the state’s tallest building when completed. The 80-floor structure will rise 1,035 feet in height at 410 East 5th Street, close to the 6th Street Entertainment District, Austin Convention Center, and a new downtown light rail station.

Energy Efficiency | Dec 6, 2022

Washington state’s Building Code Council mandates heat pumps in all new residential construction

The Washington State Building Code Council has voted to require heat pumps for all new residential construction starting in July 2023. The new mandate has drawn criticism over concerns that it will add costs to housing construction, especially given current supply chain challenges for heat pumps.

Geothermal Technology | Dec 6, 2022

Google spinoff uses pay-as-you-go business model to spur growth in geothermal systems

Dandelion Energy is turning to a pay-as-you-go plan similar to rooftop solar panel leasing to help property owners afford geothermal heat pump systems.

Contractors | Dec 6, 2022

Slow payments cost the construction industry $208 billion in 2022

The cost of floating payments for wages and invoices represents $208 billion in excess cost to the construction industry, a 53% increase from 2021, according to a survey by Rabbet, a provider of construction finance software.

Giants 400 | Dec 1, 2022

Top 75 Office Building Core+Shell Engineering + EA Firms for 2022

Jacobs, Alfa Tech, Burns & McDonnell, and Arup head the ranking of the nation's largest office building core+shell engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms for 2022, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2022 Giants 400 Report.

Currently Reading

Bob Howell named President, CEO of SSOE Group

Tags

Green | Dec 9, 2022

High-rise Construction | Dec 7, 2022

Office Buildings | Dec 7, 2022

Multifamily Housing | Dec 7, 2022

Office Buildings | Dec 6, 2022

Multifamily Housing | Dec 6, 2022

Energy Efficiency | Dec 6, 2022

Geothermal Technology | Dec 6, 2022

Contractors | Dec 6, 2022

Giants 400 | Dec 1, 2022

Most Popular Content

Magazine Subscription

Get our Newsletters

Follow BD+C: