McCownGordon Expands Board of Directors to Align with Long-Term Strategy
CEO Ramin Cherafat elevated to Chair of the Board
Kansas City, MO (April 21, 2025) – McCownGordon Construction, one of the nation’s largest construction managers, recently named three new members to its board of directors and elevated Chief Executive Officer Ramin Cherafat to chair of the board.
The three new board members include Steve Levy, chief operating officer, who serves as the third inside board member along with Cherafat and Jeff Placek, chief financial officer. The other two additions include Ken Williams, former chief financial officer and board member of global engineering firm Black & Veatch, and Linda McMahon, chief executive officer of the Dallas Economic Development Corporation. They join company founder Pat McCown and Craig Davis, former CEO of Performance Contracting Group, as outside board members.
Williams will leverage his expertise from Black & Veatch, where he led the company’s global financial operations including treasury, tax, accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and financial systems, as well as leading the company’s facilities and real estate operations. During his tenure at the employee-owned company, he also served on the investment review board and the Strategic Planning and Objectives committee. Williams also brings extensive experience from several executive roles at other organizations, including Fluor Corporation and World Vision International.
McMahon brings deep business, financial and real estate expertise to the board and is seasoned in governance, strategy and oversight. She currently serves as the inaugural CEO of the newly created Dallas Economic Development Corporation, where she leads critical strategic initiatives that create innovative and sustainable economic development for the city. Previously, she served as CEO of The Real Estate Council (TREC) in Dallas and spent 30 years in the banking industry at JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America.
As COO, Levy provides deep understanding of the company’s day-to-day operations as well as a vision of how processes and protocols can be advanced to scale and accommodate strategic growth and future success. With more than 30 years of construction operations experience, including serving as a field superintendent, his operational acumen spans the full gamut from construction to industry technological advancements to leadership development. He previously spent 20 years in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, so understands the requirements and regulations of the region.
Cherafat, who has been with the firm for 25 years and has served as the CEO for the past 7 years has been elected as Chair of the Board of Directors and will continue to work closely with the Board of Directors and Leadership Team to keep advancing the company’s long-term strategic plan.
“As our company continues its growth trajectory, it was important to add some new board members that align with our long-term goals. Because of our expansion into the Texas market, along with our national business unit focused on the manufacturing sector, we strategically sought out seasoned experts that align with both expansion markets,” said Cherafat. “We also wanted to add talent to our board with an executive seasoned at leading multi-billion-dollar organizations within the marketplace, which made Ken Williams an ideal choice. These new board members will work closely with the leadership team as we continue executing our strategic plans at McCownGordon.”
Adding three highly experienced leaders with a command for guiding global, Fortune 500 and employee-owned businesses provides McCownGordon with a well-rounded board of experts. The level of strategic thinking, business acumen and industry knowledge they offer in their oversight role will help advance the company’s strategic plan and further position it for continued growth and success.
