Page 34 - Colorado Construction & Design Magazine - Spring 2023

Burns & McDonnell Senior Executive Leslie Duke Named New CEO
In March, current Burns & McDonnell Chairman and CEO Ray Kowalik announced his retirement at the end of 2023, coming off a record- breaking year for the firm. Leslie Duke will be the eighth CEO in the firm’s 125-year history.
Over the past two decades,
Leslie helped expand the firm’s customer base from one local Houston client when she
joined the firm to more than 650 local, regional and national clients in the industrial, refining, chemical, manufacturing and power utility markets. During her tenure, the business has delivered over $5 billion in engineering, procurement, construction, environmental and consulting services from the region.
Leslie has served in multiple leadership roles, including opening and growing several new offices. She became a senior vice president in 2014 and was named the company’s first female president in 2016.
She played an integral role in launching the firm’s engineer-procure-construct (EPC) delivery method in the south-central region, and her efforts have led to the development and successful execution of many projects and programs. Under her leadership, Burns & McDonnell has been recognized by numerous industry and community organizations.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil/structural engineering from Texas Tech University, where she was inducted as a Distinguished Engineer in 2018. She is an emeritus member of the Dean’s Council for the university’s School of Engineering. Leslie is a registered professional engineer (PE) in Texas.
Leslie Duke
People News
Encore Electric Names Andy Sizemore as Director
of Southern Colorado and JR Bond as Vice President
Andy Sizemore has been named Director of Southern Colorado. As Director of the Southern Colorado Business Unit, Andy will oversee Southern Colorado construction and service projects and be directly responsible for the sustainable growth of Encore Electric business in the Southern Colorado market.
JR Bond was recently named as Vice President of Business Units. In his new role, he will be responsible for training new leaders and supporting the directors of business units throughout the company to develop operational strategies which align with the overall Encore Electric strategic plan.
Andy Sizemore
JR Bond
way through the ranks from project manager and director of Southern Colorado and Montana.
During his career at Encore Electric, JR has overseen teams for major projects in the Rocky Mountain region, including the United States Air Force Academy, US Olympic and Paralympic Museum, Olympic Training Center Velodrome, Weidner Field (the Switchbacks Stadium), Broadmoor World Arena, Pikes Peak Summit House, Hybl Sports Center at UCCS, Big Sky Resort, several Peak Vista Health Care facilities, UC Health Memorial North, Ent Center for Performing Arts at UCCS, Centura Health sites, and more.
Through his 21-year career with Encore Electric, Andy
has held a variety of positions, from starting as a first-
year electrical apprentice all the way up to a variety of leadership roles with the organization. Most recently,
he served as Senior Project Manager where he was responsible for establishing relationships with general contractors, trade partners, and owners to ensure project success by providing comprehensive services including constructability and design reviews, budget support, subcontractor management, and scheduling from breaking ground to final project delivery.
Andy has contributed to many award-winning project teams including the University of Colorado Springs Ent Center for the Arts, UCHealth and Centura projects, and the United States Air Force Academy as well as Ft. Carson.
34 | Colorado Construction & Design
JR is a master electrician who began his career in the electrical industry 33 years ago. Since joining Encore Electric in 2012, he has worked his
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