EllisDon names incoming CEO
By Adam Freill
Construction Labour LeadershipKieran Hawe to lead employee-owned global construction services company when Geoff Smith steps down in June.
From left, Geoff Smith and Kieran Hawe. (CNW Group/EllisDon Corporation)
Geoff Smith will be stepping down as president and CEO of EllisDon in June of this year. As such, the company’s board of directors, board chair Gerald Slemko and Smith have appointed Kieran Hawe, EllisDon’s current chief operating officer, construction, to succeed Smith as CEO at that time.
Smith will continue to serve on the board as executive chair, and will retain responsibility for the company’s digital and data strategy and execution, as well as for EllisDon’s Windjammer Landing Resort in Saint Lucia. Gerald Slemko, current chair, will assume the new role of deputy chair.
“Since Kieran joined the company, and more so in his current role, he has exhibited an ideal combination of humility, determination, and leadership both through example and direction, all of which have combined to position EllisDon as a leading construction services company across the globe,” said Smith. “As importantly, he thoroughly personifies EllisDon’s values and purpose, making him a natural fit to lead the next generation of EllisDon employees. I am both proud and excited for Kieran to assume the role of CEO.”
“The critical and difficult undertaking of selecting a successor was made significantly easier as a result of Geoff’s leadership, mentorship and development of a company full of highly skilled and capable people,” added Slemko. “Kieran is perfectly suited to take over and successfully lead the company as its next CEO.”
Hawe began his career at EllisDon in 1999 as a mechanical and electrical coordinator. He was appointed Toronto area vice-president in 2013, and then to senior vice-president and area manager of Central Canada in 2016. In 2019, he was named executive vice-president and chief operations officer, construction. Prior to joining EllisDon, he gained global building experience in Asia, Europe and the United States.
“I am both honoured and excited to accept the role as EllisDon’s next CEO and lead our exceptional employees and incredible leadership team,” stated Hawe. “I am committed to continue EllisDon’s position as an industry leader in delivering the future of construction through our expansive array of service offerings and Cradle to Grave approach.”
Smith joined EllisDon in 1981 and was named president and CEO in 1996. He has played a critical role in developing EllisDon into a leading global construction services company. The employee-owned company has revenues of $5 billion-a-year and more than 4,000 salaried and hourly employees across 15 national and international offices.
