Parsons Brinckerhoff announces new chairman

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) has announced that Richard A. Schrader has been appointed chairman, succeeding Keith J. Hawksworth, who is retiring after 33 years with the firm.

In his new position, Schrader, currently executive vice president and CFO, will provide broad policy oversight for PB.

“I look forward to having Rich as a partner in guiding PB going forward,” said George J. Pierson, president and CEO. “I will continue to rely on Rich’s extensive expertise in financial management and will look to him for assistance in determining PB’s strategic direction.” Schrader will also undertake additional duties in service of the broader Balfour Beatty Group.

The firm has begun an executive search process for a CFO to succeed Schrader, who has been with PB for 27 years and has been a member of the firm’s board of directors since 1992. Prior to joining PB in 1983, Schrader served on active military duty in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 11 years with assignments on military construction projects, including command of an engineer company in Germany.

He has also served on the faculty of the United States Military Academy at West Point as assistant professor in the Department of Social Sciences. He has a bachelor’s degree from West Point, a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, and an MBA from Long Island University.

Hawksworth, who joined PB in 1976, served as CEO from December 2007 through December 2009. During that time, he led a strategic planning process that resulted in PB’s October 2009 merger with Balfour Beatty.

Prior to his appointment as CEO, Hawksworth was COO of PB’s international division. He also served as head of PB’s Asia-Pacific operation and was PB’s principal-in-charge on many of the firm’s largest international projects.

The PB Board will consist of George Pierson, PB’s CEO; Ashok Kothari, a 35-year PB employee and long-term Board member, and Schrader.

For more information about Parsons Brinckerhoff, please visit www.pbworld.com.