Leadership

Our senior executives embody the core values that define W.E. O’Neil. Their journeys show that with dedication, integrity, and vision, any talented leaders can follow in their footsteps to shape the company's future.

Expanding the Vision: Joe Rotunno’s Leadership

Joe Rotunno (second from right above) played a critical role in shaping W.E. O’Neil’s evolution during a time of significant growth. As the company’s first CEO from outside the family (1981), Joe led W.E. O’Neil into a new era—one that required formalizing leadership and building the infrastructure needed to support regional expansion.

Under Joe’s guidance, the company embraced a more structured approach, enabling its offices to operate with some autonomy while maintaining alignment with the company’s core values of integrity and quality. This shift positioned W.E. O’Neil to expand its footprint across the U.S., while still delivering the same level of care and excellence that defined its origins.

Joe’s vision ensured that W.E. O’Neil’s growing team of leaders was equipped to tackle the challenges of an increasingly competitive market. His leadership reinforced the company’s culture of innovation and strong ethics, paving the way for future success.

Today, the principles that Joe championed continue to guide W.E. O’Neil’s leadership. He upheld the values that built our foundation while embracing opportunities to drive the company forward into the future. Joe’s legacy is honored in W.E. O’Neil’s Chicago office, where a plaque commemorates his impact: “Mr. Rotunno’s dedicated service resulted in the continuation, reinforcement, and expansion of the O’Neil tradition for quality work and a strong sense of ethics.”

Mike Faron’s Legacy: Building Great Client Relationships

Joining W.E. O’Neil as a superintendent and project manager in 1973, Mike Faron was a key leader during a 50-year span that saw the company’s most expansive growth and an integral part of the firm’s success. Starting as a superintendent and project manager, he rose steadily through the firm’s ranks, named president in 1989 and promoted to chairman of the Chicago office in 2008.

Mike’s ambition was evident early, and he was soon tapped by leadership to run the Chicago office’s estimating department. His leadership here revealed his passion and talent for serving clients and building relationships. As the industry evolved in the 80s from hard bidding to fee and qualifications-based project awards, Mike led the charge for W.E. O’Neil to navigate this business transition.

Well-known for his unique balance of business knowledge and soft skills, Mike played an integral role in mentoring and developing subsequent leaders such as John Russell, Dennis Garlick, and Lou Reiner, passing on his commitment to client relations to the next generation. He retired as Chairman in 2018.

“I feel deeply fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with and learn from so many talented and dedicated colleagues during my long tenure at W.E. O’Neil,” said Mike.

Building Teams, Driving Growth: Rich Erickson's Leadership Legacy

Leadership at W.E. O’Neil has always been guided by a steadfast commitment to integrity, collaboration, and innovation. These values have shaped not only the company’s success but also its approach to building relationships and fostering strong teams. Leaders like Rich Erickson (far right in the photo), who served as CEO from 2003 to 2014, exemplify how these principles come to life.

Rich’s journey with W.E. O’Neil began in 1973, and in 1985 he established the company’s first California office, laying the foundation for groundbreaking projects in aerospace and infrastructure. A former player for the University of Illinois football team, Rich brought the same discipline, strategic thinking, and team-building mentality to his leadership at W.E. O’Neil. “Rich was just a super-detailed person—very social, and a true team builder who carried himself and led the company in a way that left an impression on everyone,” recalls Ken Samimi, Superintendent at O’Neil.

During his tenure, Rich championed mentorship, collaboration, and operational excellence, steering the company’s expansion into Denver in 1999 and shaping its reputation as a trusted partner in complex, large-scale projects. As Mike Faron, Chairman at W.E. O’Neil, described, “Rich was very focused on formalizing processes, managing risk, and positioning the company for sustained growth.”

Rich’s ability to build teams and lead with precision created a legacy that continues to guide W.E. O’Neil. His example reflects the company’s enduring commitment to thoughtful leadership, ensuring that every decision aligns with the mission, values, and evolving needs of the business.

Promoting Leaders from Within: Brian Ramsay's Leadership

Brian Ramsay’s journey to CEO of W.E. O’Neil exemplifies the company’s commitment to promoting and nurturing talent from within. Joining the company in 1988 as a project engineer, Brian steadily advanced through various roles, becoming CEO in 2014. His leadership reflects W.E. O’Neil’s values of integrity, collaboration, and innovation.

Rich Erickson, previous CEO, recalls Brian’s early days with admiration: “I saw a guy that had the discipline and elements needed to run the business. He was hard-working, built relationships with lots of people, hired good people along the way, and just grew.” This ability to foster strong relationships and lead by example has defined Brian’s tenure.

One of Brian’s pivotal achievements was leading the company’s transition to 100% employee ownership in 2020. By brokering this transformative deal, he ensured W.E. O’Neil’s future would remain in the hands of its people, preserving the legacy of trust and collaboration that has guided the company for nearly a century. Under his leadership, W.E. O’Neil has expanded its national footprint while continuing to deliver projects that uphold the company’s unwavering standards of quality and innovation.

Looking Forward with John Finn

W.E. O’Neil’s commitment to fostering thoughtful leadership has shaped its legacy for nearly a century. As the company looks to the future, John Finn (second from right) is poised to carry those principles forward as the next CEO in 2025. With over two decades at W.E. O’Neil and a proven track record of operational excellence, John’s leadership reflects how the company’s dedication to mentorship and leadership training pays off.

Since becoming President of the California division in 2014, John has overseen the region’s tremendous growth, driving the scale and complexity of projects to new heights. His focus on relationships, efficiency, and building strong teams has been instrumental in preparing the company for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

“He’s created tremendous growth in California in the last ten years,” said Brian Ramsay, former CEO. “John’s focus on strategic growth and developing strong relationships with key customers helped transform the company into what it is today.”

As W.E. O’Neil continues its journey, John embodies the values and leadership principles that have defined the company. His forward-thinking approach ensures that W.E. O’Neil will not only honor its legacy but will also adapt and evolve to meet the demands of the next century.

More Stories about Leaders

Colorado Leadership: Todd Guthrie

With a natural inclination for building teams, Todd established the Colorado regional office in 1999. One of four sons, he grew up with a father who put them to work renovating their home. Early on, Todd learned the value of hard work, camaraderie, and pride in completion. “Seeing WEO projects around town,” he says, “knowing we contributed to permanence throughout a city like Denver—that’s a feeling like no other.”

More about Todd

Chicago Leadership: John Russell

John Russell, former Regional President of W.E. O’Neil’s Chicago and Austin offices, was with W.E. O'Neil his entire 43-year career, rising through the ranks and serving in every leadership role. Since assuming leadership of the Chicago office in 2008, he brought thoughtful, collaborative leadership to the building experience and is a trusted partner in the city’s real estate and construction industry.

Arizona Leadership: John Hobbs

John Hobbs (right) joined W.E. O’Neil in 1984 as Vice President of Operations for the new Phoenix office. John led the Phoenix team before becoming President of Arizona in 2004 and retiring in 2018.

Arizona Leadership: Tom Roof

In 1982, W.E. O’Neil leadership explored opportunities for expansion, looking westward to Tucson, AZ. They wanted to engage someone local to lead the new market entry, and one contractor’s name kept coming up: Tom Roof (left above). Tom took on the challenge and helped open the subsidiary that would operate under his name for the next 30 years. He retired in 1999, and his two children, Lynn and Tommy, still work for the company.

Eager to Help

During his early days with the company, Mike Faron was asked to meet an executive in his office on a Saturday. The executive shared with Mike that construction was beginning on a new project in Milwaukee and the team needed someone up there to help. When asked how much time Mike would need to make the short-term move, Mike responded, “I can be there by 2:00 pm.”

Sweat and Blood

While Rich Erickson was working out of the Chicago office, he would often go for runs during lunch. His loop would take him by Lane Tech High School where he’d reflect on Art O’Neil sharing stories about working with the masonry workers laying brick for the project. Literally dripping in sweat, admiring a project built 50 years ago, Rich thought, “There’s a lot of O’Neil sweat and blood in that project.” Talk about a full circle moment.

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