EllisDon announced this week that Geoff Smith will be stepping down as President and CEO in June of this year. The Board of Directors, Board Chair Gerald Slemko and Geoff Smith have appointed Kieran Hawe, EllisDon’s current Chief Operating Officer, Construction, to succeed Geoff as Chief Executive Officer at that time.
“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,” Smith said.
“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 proud and excited for Kieran to assume the role of CEO.”
Smith will continue to serve on the board of directors 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.
“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. Kieran is perfectly suited to take over and successfully lead the company as its next CEO,” said board chair Gerald Slemko, Chair of the Board, EllisDon.
Hawe joined EllisDon in 1999 as an M&E coordinator. He was appointed Toronto area vice president in 2013, and then to senior VP and area manager of Central Canada in 2016 and executive vice president and COO, Construction, in 2019.
Before joining EllisDon, Kieran acquired 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,” said Kieran Hawe, Chief Operating Officer, Construction, EllisDon. “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 “was crucial in creating EllisDon’s culture of entrepreneurial enthusiasm empowering employees to challenge the status quo and evolve EllisDon into a leading global construction services company,” the company said in a news release.
“Geoff also proudly spearheaded the employee-ownership program where 100 per cent of the company’s equity will be transferred to the company’s employees to create an environment of fairness, prosperity and innovation for the future.”
