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Celebrating 100 Years

Celebrating a CENTURY of valuing people and building dreams!

This once-in-a-lifetime milestone is made possible by the commitment of our employee-owners and through relationships built over time with our clients and partners.

100 Years Hall of Fame Inductee - A Century of Building Dreams

Brian Ramsay

Current role: Chairman of the Board
Couple with ocean in background
Brian Ramsay
Family in the snow

We are proud to honor Brian Ramsay as the first inductee into the W.E. O’Neil Hall of Fame—a fitting tribute to his remarkable contributions and the incredible legacy of leadership that has shaped this company.

He has not only built remarkable projects but also teams, friendships, and a culture of excellence. In 2025, when he passed the CEO baton to John Finn, the company is in great hands, and the legacy Brian helped foster will continue to thrive.

Brian started his career at W.E. O’Neil in 1988 as our California region’s first project engineer. Over the next decade, he grew his estimating and project management skills while developing the CA region’s aerospace portfolio.

In 1999, Brian oversaw the successful launch of a new subsidiary office in Denver while maintaining his role as vice president of the CA office. In 2003, Brian was promoted to president of the CA office, and in 2014 he became CEO of O’Neil nationally.

Opportunity is why I’m still working at O’Neil,” says Brian. “In my 35 years here, I’ve always been given the opportunity to take on more, to open the Denver office, start a self-perform group, to run a special projects group, to open a Nashville office. They rarely said no when you ask for an opportunity.

Brian encourages a culture of opportunity at O’Neil, developing and promoting from within. Crediting several key mentors in guiding him through formative years of his career, he extends that foundation of learning to those he directly manages as well as being an advocate for our internship and internal mentoring programs. Generous at heart, Brian also gives back to both the schools that train our builders and to various entities in his community.

For nearly three decades, Brian Ramsay has exemplified the leadership and vision that has made W.E. O’Neil a leader in the construction industry. Brian’s passion for the company, his ability to lead with strength and heart, and his unwavering commitment to the people around him have set a standard that will guide us for years to come.

The Brian Ramsay Leadership Scholarship

In honor of Brian, W.E O’Neil Construction will sponsor a $5,000 scholarship for 5 years at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Scholarship Amount ($5,000)
41
Years of Experience

Year of W.E. O’Neil Induction

2025

Service to W.E. O’Neil

Since 1988

Education

  • B.S., Civil Engineering – Clarkson University
  • M.S.C.E., Construction Management – University of Illinois

Credentials

  • LEED AP

Five Things

Backyard Wiffle Ball • Tom Petty • Skiing • LeRoy Neiman, Artist • Larry Bird, Celtics