Along with new cost impacts that Houston-based Willbros Group Inc. announced on Oct. 22 from “deterioration” of an unidentified northeast U.S. oil and gas pipeline project that will require it to restate results, the contractor has reshuffled its top management.

John T. McNabb II has been named CEO, immediately replacing Robert R. “Randy” Harl, who has expedited his retirement from Jan. 2. McNabb, who is vice chairman of investment firm Duff & Phelps, has been a Willbros director since 2006 and now also becomes chairman. Harl, CEO since 2006, had been chairman and CEO of Kellogg Brown & Root. Willbros also elevated Chief Operating Officer Michael J. Fournier to the added role of president to direct its oil and gas segment and construction. Fournier, who was named COO in July, had been president of the firm’s Canadian oil and gas operation since 2012. It credits him for a performance turnaround. As president, Fournier replaces Earl R. Collins, who was in the role only since July when he was elevated from oil and gas segment president. He is leaving the firm.

Willbros also elevated three veterans to corporate executive vice president: John Allcorn, who also is product line executive for pipeline services; Johnny M. Priest, who is product line executive for utility transmission & distribution; and Edward J. Wiegele, who is president of Willbros Engineering & Technology and is responsible for integrated EPC, project services and engineering.

“The disappointing performance in the oil and gas segment is unacceptable,” McNabb said in a statement. “We intend to correct the shortcomings.” Willbros plans to cut segment units and “exit the construction field service business in the regional shale oil and gas markets.” The Laborers’ union and related benefit funds, which are Willbros shareholders, noted in September what they said were concerns about the oil and gas division, as well as safety on pipeline jobs and executive compensation. Willbros ranks at No. 36 on ENR’s list of The Top 400 Contractors, with $1.7 billion in 2013 revenue.

Lucy Carter has joined Chicago-based global real estate services firm JLL, formerly Jones Lang LaSalle, as a senior vice president in its project and development services group. Based in New York City, she has responsibility for new business development, among other areas. Carter had been a senior associate and director of business development at architectural interiors firm Ted Moudis Associates. She also is membership co-chair of the New York chapter of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Network. 

Winston Stewart has been named managing director of COWI Marine North America, a newly formed unit of North Vancouver, B.C.-based bridge design firm COWI North America Inc., that—as of Jan. 1—will combine the parent's former separate marine engineering firm subsidiaries Ben C. Gerwick Inc. and Ocean and Coastal Consultants (OCC). Stewart is formerly Gerwick managing director and will remain based in Oakland, Calif. John Chapman, OCC managing director, will become market director for COWI's marine business across North America and remain based in Trumbull, Conn. COWI North America Inc. is a unit of Denmark-based COWI A/S.

Linda Huff and Jim Huff have joined GZA GeoEnvironmental Inc. as vice presidents, with its Oct. 21 purchase of Huff & Huff Inc., of which they were principals. The Oak Brook, Ill., environmental firm, founded in 1979, has 35 employees. It becomes a GZA subsidiary. GZA also promoted Paul Davis to principal. Based in Springfield, Mass., he is corporate technical practice lead for natural resources and permitting.

Skanska USA has elevated MacAdam Glinn to senior vice president and national aviation director. Based in Fort Lauderdale, he was a vice president for its aviation center of excellence.

Craig D. Capano has joined Mississippi State University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Design as director of its Building Construction Science program, the only such U.S. program to incorporate architecture and building construction science students in applied learning studio environments. He was dean of academic affairs at Everglades University in Boca Raton, Fla.

Austin Industries has elevated Ben Hewett to president of its Dallas-based road and bridgebuilding subsidiary. He replaces David B. Walls, president and CEO of parent company, Austin Industries, who also served as the unit’s president. Hewett had been a senior vice president in Austin’s commercial building unit.

Peter Aarons has joined HNTB as west division aviation director and associate vice president, based in Los Angeles. He had been a senior program manager for Parsons Brinckerhoff and also was program manager for the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority on a $1.2-billion airport terminal development program.

Anthony DePasquale is set to become president of Vachris Engineering PC, Garden City, N.Y. Now vice president of the foundations specialist, he will succeed Charles F. Vachris, who died suddenly on Oct. 7 at age 75 after a heart attack. Vachris, who founded the firm in 1982, also was a past president of The Moles, a national heavy construction professionals group. DePasquale, a 30-year company veteran, is a board member of the American Council of Engineering Cos. of New York.

MWH Global, Broomfield, Colo., has named three new senior vice presidents: Clayton Bock, who is the firm’s energy and industry division director, based in Chicago; John Hanula, who global business development director fo the government & infrastructure division, and based in Pasadena, Calif.; and Chicago-based Chander Sehgal, a 40-year firm veteran and project manager on hydroelectric, dam and tunnel projects. The firm also promoted eight employees to vice president: Carlos Canetta in Chicago; Vance Drain in Salt Lake City; Tania Flasck and Jenny Hartfelder in Denver; Gavin Gilchrist and David Tomlinson in Broomfield; Carlos Mallol in Miami; and Robert Krallinger in Fairfax, Va;