Rich Smith has been promoted to President of HEI. He will serve as a liaison to HEI’s clients and will be the primary public representative of the company. As President, Smith will focus on the overall vision and brand of the company. Additionally, Smith will remain heavily involved in business development and assisting with diversifying and growing the firm.
Duane Henderson will remain as CEO. He will continue to be involved in the daily operations and help lead of the company through the transition period. Henderson has been CEO since 1988; his father Fran founded the company in 1970.
Dave Haake has assumed the role of Chief Operations Officer. His responsibilities will include overseeing the daily operations of the company, including internal design teams, specialty divisions, and branch offices.
Dana Kettle has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer; she will oversee and manage all financial aspects of the firm.
Rick Lahm has stepped down as CFO, a position he has held since 1990. Lahm will assume the role of Board Treasurer.
Tony Pianalto has assumed the role of Chief Technical Officer. He will oversee and manage the technical engineering aspects of the firm, including quality control, training, standards, building information modeling, sustainability and commissioning.
“HEI’s Board of Directors examined the roles and organization of our company and interviewed key personnel through a six month discovery period,” said Duane Henderson, CEO. “We wanted to make sure we were taking into consideration our shareholders’ thoughts and ideas with regard to the future of the company.”
“The plan presented will allow for a smooth leadership transition for our company,” said Rich Smith, President. “I’m excited about the opportunity and the changes and feel it will strengthen the management structure as our firm continues to grow both regionally and nationally.”
About Henderson Engineers, Inc.
Henderson Engineers, Inc. was founded in 1970 and provides mechanical, electrical, plumbing and refrigeration design services through its headquarters in Kansas City, as well as branch offices in Bentonville, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, New York Metro, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Tampa. Licensed in all 50 states, Henderson is comprised of over 450 employees including 150 Licensed Engineers and over 100 LEED® Accredited Professionals. In addition to its core services, Henderson Engineers, Inc. houses four specialty divisions: Impact Illumination (architectural lighting), Fire Dynamics (fire protection and code consulting), Collective Tech/ADG (comprehensive technology, security, audio visual, and acoustical design), and Outcome Cx (Commissioning). For more information visit www.hei-eng.com.
Related Stories
Performing Arts Centers | Oct 21, 2024
The New Jersey Performing Arts Center breaks ground on $336 million redevelopment of its 12-acre campus
In Newark, N.J., the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) has broken grown on the three-year, $336 million redevelopment of its 12-acre campus. The project will provide downtown Newark 350 mixed-income residential units, along with shops, restaurants, outdoor gathering spaces, and an education and community center with professional rehearsal spaces.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Oct 17, 2024
In the NIL era, colleges and universities are stepping up their sports facilities game
NIL policies have raised expectations among student-athletes about the quality of sports training and performing facilities, in ways that present new opportunities for AEC firms.
Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2024
Austin, Texas, adopts AI-driven building permit software
After a successful pilot program, Austin has adopted AI-driven building permit software to speed up the building permitting process.
Resiliency | Oct 17, 2024
U.S. is reducing floodplain development in most areas
The perception that the U.S. has not been able to curb development in flood-prone areas is mostly inaccurate, according to new research from climate adaptation experts. A national survey of floodplain development between 2001 and 2019 found that fewer structures were built in floodplains than might be expected if cities were building at random.
Seismic Design | Oct 17, 2024
Calif. governor signs limited extension to hospital seismic retrofit mandate
Some California hospitals will have three additional years to comply with the state’s seismic retrofit mandate, after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill extending the 2030 deadline.
MFPRO+ News | Oct 16, 2024
One-third of young adults say hurricanes like Helene and Milton will impact where they choose to live
Nearly one-third of U.S. residents between 18 and 34 years old say they are reconsidering where they want to move after seeing the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene, according to a Redfin report. About 15% of those over age 35 echoed their younger cohort’s sentiment.
Construction Costs | Oct 16, 2024
Construction Crane Index: Most major markets’ crane counts increase or hold steady in third quarter
Rider Levett Bucknall’s (RLB’s) latest Crane Index and Quarterly Cost Report shows continued decreasing cost inflation and crane counts increasing or holding steady in 10 of the 14 major markets it surveyed. The national average increase in construction costs was 1.07%, the lowest it’s been in the last three years.
University Buildings | Oct 15, 2024
Recreation and wellness are bedfellows in new campus student centers
Student demands for amenities and services that address their emotional and mental wellbeing are impacting new development on college campuses that has led to recreation centers with wellness portfolios.
Performing Arts Centers | Oct 10, 2024
Studio Gang's performing arts center for Hudson Valley Shakespeare breaks ground
A new permanent home for Hudson Valley Shakespeare, a professional non-profit theater company, recently broke ground in Garrison, N.Y. The Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center includes a 14,850 sf performance venue that will serve as a permanent home for the theater company known for its sweeping open-air productions of classics and new works.
Sustainable Design and Construction | Oct 10, 2024
Northglenn, a Denver suburb, opens a net zero, all-electric city hall with a mass timber structure
Northglenn, Colo., a Denver suburb, has opened the new Northglenn City Hall—a net zero, fully electric building with a mass timber structure. The 32,600-sf, $33.7 million building houses 60 city staffers. Designed by Anderson Mason Dale Architects, Northglenn City Hall is set to become the first municipal building in Colorado, and one of the first in the country, to achieve the Core certification: a green building rating system overseen by the International Living Future Institute.
