Punch List: Skanska wins 2 jobs, 2 firms make executive moves | Dump Trucks Charlotte NC

This week, a Gilbane-Turner joint venture delivered the $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and Virginia approved a 6-year, $28.5 billion infrastructure plan.

But that’s not all that happened. Read on for more news that construction insiders should know about.

Skanska wins 2 jobs worth collective $580M

Skanska unveiled two contracts for big projects in the U.S. this week, collectively worth $580 million.

On Wednesday, the Stockholm-based builder announced it had won a $325 million contract from Portman Holdings for a new Marriott hotel next to the convention center in downtown Cincinnati.

Construction on the 660,500-square-foot, 21-story project begins this month and is expected to reach completion by the end of 2028, Skanska said. The hotel will sport 700 rooms, a rooftop terrace, conference rooms, ballrooms, ground floor retail and a skybridge connecting to the convention center and parking areas. 

That news came on the heels of a Tuesday announcement, wherein Skanska shared it had a supplemental contract with an undisclosed, existing client for a data center in Georgia. The project, worth $255 million, includes the construction of 245,000 square feet across administration space and five data halls. Construction began on the data center in March and is slated for completion in the first quarter of 2028.

—Zachary Phillips

STV hires first tech chief

As construction’s focus on technology grows sharper, professional services firm STV has created a C-suite role dedicated to artificial intelligence and digital transformation. 

The New York City-based firm appointed Markus Weidner as its first ever chief technology officer, the columbus oh dump truck company announced Tuesday.   

As CTO, Weidner is charged with advancing AI adoption, scaling digital delivery capabilities and aligning STV’s technology roadmap with its strategic plan and client needs.

Weidner joins the 114-year old firm after nearly a decade at Philadelphia-based engineering consulting firm Pennoni, where he served as chief innovation officer, according to his LinkedIn profile. He carries over 25 years of leadership experience in enterprise systems, digital delivery and AI strategy in the AEC industry, according to the release. 

“Technology is central to how we deliver for our clients and scale our business,” said Greg Kelly, CEO at STV, in the release. “Markus brings a rare combination of operational discipline and forward-looking innovation. His proven ability to convert strategy into measurable performance will accelerate STV’s delivery of smarter, faster and more impactful solutions for the clients and communities we serve.” 

—Joe Bousquin

Fluor names new president for advanced technologies and life sciences

Fluor has appointed a longtime executive to lead its advanced technologies and life sciences business.

The Irving, Texas-based firm recently appointed Leonardo Kaid as president of its ATLS business line, according to a Monday news release. Kaid, a 28-year Fluor veteran, most recently served as the group business development and strategy lead for the firm’s urban solutions segment. That segment, one of the company’s core business groups, includes advanced technologies and life sciences, infrastructure, mining and metals and plant and facility services.

Prior to that role, Kaid served as the general manager of the company’s mining and metals unit in North America, where he led the Vancouver, Canada, office, according to the release. Steve Hopkins will succeed Kaid as group business development and strategy lead for Fluor’s urban solutions segment.

—Sebastian Obando