Mercedes Sierra has been named CEO of Spanish design firm Sener’s U.S. operations based in Los Angeles. She was the parent firm’s head of innovation and previously served in a top technology role for Spain’s Ministry of Economy. In a previous role at Sener, Sierra launched its concentrated solar power business in the U.S. The firm says it also is involved in several segments of the California High Speed Rail line. Sierra succeeds Angel Ares, who now leads development of the parent firm’s transit design-build business. Sener ranks at No. 32 on ENR’s Top 225 Global Design Firms list, reporting $581 million in global revenue, 97% of that outside Spain.
Among leadership successions recently announced, Gilbane Development Co., the real estate development unit of Gilbane Building Co., has elevated Edward Broderick to CEO. Formerly chief operating officer, he succeeds Robert Gilbane, who remains chairman. At design firm Brown and Caldwell, President and COO Rich D’Amato also now is CEO. He succeeds Craig Goehring, who becomes executive chairman.
Building contractor Harkins Builders Inc. has elevated President Gary Garofalo to the added role of CEO, succeeding Richard M. “Dick” Lombardo, who has retired. Larry Kraemer, executive vice president, now is COO. Michigan contractor Barton Malow Co. promoted Chuck Binkowski, senior vice president, to COO as part of a management restructuring.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD), which runs metro Denver rail and bus service, named Michael Ford to a newly created chief operating officer role to manage more integrated operations. He is former CEO of the Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority in Detroit. Denver media reports say Ford’s contract in Detroit ended several months early in 2017 after voters narrowly rejected in November 2016 a $4.7-billion transit expansion he had pushed. An RTD spokesman said the hiring was “carefully” vetted. The RTD network is expanding under the FasTracks construction project, approved in 2004 to build 122 miles of new passenger rail.
