Oakley Takes the Reins at Skanska

Former Flour executive Ron Oakley has been appointed president of Skanska USA Building, taking over for acting president Johan Karlstrom.

Skanska appointed Ron Oakley as the new president of Skanska USA Building in June. Oakley replaces Johan Karlstrom, executive vice president of Skanska AB, who served as acting president for Skanska USA Building since February. Karlstrom will continue to be based in the U.S. as a member of the group's senior executive team with responsibility for Skanska's U.S. operations, including Skanska USA Civil. Oakley has more than 30 years of management experience in the construction industry and was employed by Flour Corporation for 24 years. His responsibilities included commercial, process and industrial construction, design/build and government assignment. He was also active in initiating the company's unit for transportation and public-private partnering project. His most recent position was that of CEO of Lend Lease Americas. In regional personnel moves, Skanska hired Rodney Cornell as senior vice president, account manager. Cornell will be based in Skanska's Rockville, Md., office. He is responsible for project oversight and developing and maintaining client relationship in the Washington, D.C. area. Cornell has 34 years of experience in the construction industry in operations and sales.

EwingCole of Philadelphia recently realigned its top management. The firm elected John Gerbner as the firm's new president and chief operating officer. Gerbner has been with EwingCole for 21 years. Mark Hebden was elected executive vice president and Jim Wilson was named chairman and chief executive officer. Wilson is the outgoing president. The elections are in keeping with the firm's ongoing commitment to corporate renewal. Wilson served as president for six years, during which time EwingCole significantly expanded its presence in Washington, D.C.

DMJM Design of Washington, D.C. recently announced two promotions. Mark Woodburn and James Maitland were both named senior associates. Woodburn has more than ten years of experience on government projects, including the new Unified Communications Center in Washington. Maitland has more than thirty years of experience in all phases of professional practice, including replacement of the roof systems in Union Station in Washington.

Centex Construction of Fairfax, Va., recently announced several promotions. Leon Blondin was named senior vice president. He was previously vice president and has been with the company for three years. William Bedri was named senior project manager. He has been with the company for more than 11 years and currently manages all of the firm's work at the Food and Drug Administration's campus. Eric Clark and Bevan Mace were each named project managers.

Kling of Washington, D.C., recently added two new hires to its interiors department. Alan Coopper is the new studio director, interiors. He brings more than 25 years of experience to Kling and will help develop new business and expand the firm's client base. Joanne Barrera is the new operation manager, senior project manager of interiors. Barrera brings more than 20 years of experience to the firm and will conduct overall project management for Kling Interiors.

Dewberry of Fairfax, Va., recently hired Silvia Silverman as a senior project manager. Silverman has more than 30 years of public- and private-sector experience in land planning, urban design and site engineering services.

Mueller Associates of Baltimore, Md., recently hired Carl Canatella as senior electrical engineer. He has more than 36 years of experience and is a past president of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Maryland.

Maekin Construction of Columbia Md., recently announced three new hires. Jim Cermak and John Hyland joined the firm as field superintendents. Cermak oversee the firm's Corporate Commons Center project in Hanover, Md. Hyland oversees the firm's University Center project in Northern Virginia. Michael Watkins also joined the firm as assistant project manager.