Grant Gagnier named COO of Suffolk Construction for New York region

NEW YORK, N.Y., July 11, 2016 — Suffolk Construction Company, Inc., one of the largest privately held construction companies in the U.S., has named industry veteran and Suffolk Construction executive Grant Gagnier as its new Chief Operating Officer of the New York Region. Suffolk recently opened an office in Manhattan at One Pennsylvania Plaza.

Gagnier will be responsible for overseeing areas of governance, strategy, operations, non-operations business support, company advocacy and brand expansion in support of Suffolk’s vision and strategies within New York City and its surrounding areas.

Grant Gagnier

Gagnier has more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry. His background in project management and corporate leadership roles at Suffolk, including experience in field operations and the integration of innovation technologies and processes company-wide. Gagnier led the effort to scale the company’s “Build Smart” approach across various regions and offices.

“The New York market is ripe for an innovative, collaborative contractor such as Suffolk,” said Gagnier. “I look forward to strengthening Suffolk’s position in this expanding market and implementing our ‘Build Smart’ approach to deliver a unique and predictable construction experience for clients using state-of-the-art technologies and processes that are revolutionizing our industry.”

Charlie Avolio, Suffolk Construction’s President and General Manager of the New York City region, said,  “As Suffolk continues to build momentum in New York, I am confident Grant’s strong leadership, industry knowledge and innovation mindset will help us strengthen our market share and establish us as a major player in the region.”

Gagnier began his career as a carpenter and mason tender and then served as an engineer for Vincent P. Guntlow and Associates. He also held operations and leadership positions at Barr & Barr Builders. Gagnier first joined Suffolk in 2003 and has managed complex projects such as D Street Hotels, Waterside Place and 50 Post Office Square in Boston. In New York City, he is helping to oversee the Suffolk project teams on 222 East 44th Street and Hudson Exchange West. Throughout his tenure at Suffolk, Gagnier has assumed key leadership positions in operations and has been one of the most passionate advocates of Suffolk’s innovation strategy and “build smart” approach, which includes the use of virtual design and construction, Lean principles and state-of-the-art technologies and collaboration tools.  

Over the past nine years he has served as an Assistant Coach for Plymouth Youth Hockey and South Plymouth Youth Baseball.  He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Plymouth Boys & Girls Club, where he formerly served as Vice President of the Board. In the past, he has also served as an invested member of the following boards and committees: Associated General Contractors (AGC) Young Contractors Council, AGC Contractor Relations Committee, Union College Alumni Admissions Committee, and Union College Department of Civil Engineering Academic Advisory Committee.

Gagnier graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Union College, and in 2003 he became a recipient of the Union College Silver Alumni Award.

Suffolk Construction Company

Suffolk Construction is one of the most successful privately held building contractors in the country. With annual revenue of $2.5 billion, Suffolk provides preconstruction, construction management, design-build and general contracting services to clients in the healthcare, science and technology, education, federal government and commercial sectors.

Suffolk is committed to delivering its “build smart” approach to construction management on every project. The company’s project teams provide clients comprehensive planning services, innovative solutions and technologies and proven processes, such as Lean Construction principles and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC), to deliver the most complex building construction projects on schedule and on budget, with minimal risk.