BOSTON, MA—Shawmut Design and Construction has announced that CEO Tom Goemaat will retire effective July 1, 2015. Current President Les Hiscoe will succeed Goemaat as CEO. Goemaat has been with Shawmut for over 20 years, serving as CEO for the past 15 years.
Goemaat has grown Shawmut into a billion dollar, 100% employee-owned firm. Under Goemaat’s leadership Shawmut has opened eight offices around the country, including Providence, New York, and Los Angeles, expanded into new market sectors including public work and healthcare in New England, academic and museum work in New York, and sports venues and hotels nationally. These new market sectors, combined with steady growth in Shawmut’s long term business units (academic, hospitality and retail), have nearly doubled the size of the firm since 2010. Over the next six months Goemaat will work with Hiscoe to ensure a seamless transition. Clients can continue to expect the customer service and exemplary work for which Shawmut is known.
“We are extremely thankful to Tom for all the years he put in at Shawmut. Tom has been a great CEO and friend for over 20 years,” said Shawmut Founder and Former Chairman, Jim Ansara. “When Tom came to us with his intentions, it was an easy choice to name Les Hiscoe as his successor. Les has been a valuable member of our executive team and will be a great leader as we enter a new era at Shawmut.”
“It feels like the right time for me to step away,” said Goemaat. “After over 15 years of leading this company it’s time to let the next generation of talent take Shawmut into the future. I am excited to hand the baton to Les, who has been a wonderful partner to me and has the necessary vision and energy to continue driving Shawmut forward.”
As President and CEO, Hiscoe will continue to build on Shawmut’s momentum in 2015. Hiscoe has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, with 17 years at Shawmut. As a hands-on leader, Hiscoe works closely with his deep senior management team and has fostered solid, long-standing relationships with many of Shawmut’s high profile clients. Hiscoe has been instrumental in the growth of the company’s New York office, expanding its retail business nationwide and founding the academic group which has completed projects at Yale University and Columbia University. Hiscoe is committed to growing and enhancing all of Shawmut’s business units while maintaining tremendous client relationships. He is committed to offering value-added services that make the construction process more efficient and collaborative.
“Tom’s leadership and knowledge have been great assets to Shawmut and to me personally. We wish him well as he enters a new chapter in his life,” said Shawmut President Les Hiscoe. “This is a very exciting time at Shawmut. We have always worked for A-list clients in all of our sectors, and I look forward to continuing to deliver excellence in each of our geographic markets and for our deeply valued clients.”