St. Louis-based McCarthy promoted its information technology boss, Justin McFarland, to chief administrative officer to oversee multiple corporate departments, according to a Dec. 20 press release sent to Construction Dive.
McFarland, who joined McCarthy in 2016 and most recently served as executive vice president of information systems, will continue to oversee the firm’s IT initiatives. But as CAO, McFarland will also helm the company’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Innovation and Marketing Communications departments, per the release.
Justin McFarland
Courtesy of McCarthy
“Justin is a true strategic partner,” said Ray Sedey, McCarthy’s chairman and CEO, in the release. “His deep understanding of our business, along with his commitment to delivering a great experience for all of our employees across the company, makes Justin a great fit for this executive role.”
Construction is often viewed as a luddite industry, stuck in the past and reluctant to engage with new technology and its proponents. However, that perception is also changing, as the demands of modern business — and threats such as cyberattacks — have made technologists’ skills in high demand within C-suites.
Aside from McCarthy, contractors such as Blach Construction, Gilbane Building Co., and STO Building Group all made tech-related executive moves in the past year, pulling technical expertise into leadership offices.
McFarland isn’t the only executive McCarthy has recently added — the firm hired environmental expert Ian Pope as its director of sustainability last fall, according to a Nov. 9 press release sent to Construction Dive.
“As a corporate team, we have many opportunities to take ownership, influence our business, and enhance and innovate to strengthen our organization as it continues to evolve,” McFarland said in the release. “I am pleased to be able to help lead these efforts in my new role.”
McFarland earned both his bachelor’s degree and MBA from Washington University in St. Louis.