Chicago-based W.E. O’Neil Construction has announced significant changes to its leadership team at the 100% employee-owned company.
Brian Ramsay is transitioning from CEO to chairman of the board while John Finn will take on the CEO title, moving from his role as COO and president of the California region. These changes coincide with the national construction firm’s 100-year anniversary, with celebrations taking place across W.E. O’Neil’s local offices in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee and Texas.
Joining the firm in 1988 as a project engineer, Ramsay was recognized early on for his hard work and ability to foster relationships, rising to the position of CEO in 2014. His tenure is marked by several achievements, including the expansion of the company’s national footprint and its transition to 100% employee ownership.
Finn, who has been with W.E. O’Neil for more than two decades, led the California region through a decade of rapid growth, driving the scale and complexity of projects to new heights and contributing his operational expertise to the firm and projects nationwide. His leadership was instrumental in the company’s expansion into San Diego and Northern California.
Stepping into the role of president of the firm’s five offices in California is Mike Byrne, who was previously the region’s executive vice president. Byrne, who has 30 years in the construction industry including nearly a decade at W.E. O’Neil, is dedicated to developing future leaders and building strong relationships, taking the time to personally connect with both colleagues and clients with genuine care and respect.
In addition, Damian Eallonardo, currently an executive vice president in the company’s Chicago region, has been promoted to president of Chicago and will transition to regional president of the Chicago and Texas regions when 43-year company veteran John Russell, who currently holds that title, retires in June. A board member of the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors, Eallonardo has nearly four decades of experience in the commercial construction industry, having overseen more than $4 billion in construction during his lengthy tenure.
