W.M. Jordan Co. names new president

Published August 6, 2018 by Veronica Garabelli

Newport News-based W.M. Jordan Co. has named a new president.

Under a new management structure that went into effect Monday, John R. Lawson II, the 60-year-old construction company’s president and chief executive officer since 1986, is now executive chairman.

Ronald J. Lauster Jr. has been named president. He was vice president and project executive.

In addition, the company named James C. Burnett, CPA, 50, chief financial officer, succeeding Thomas M. Shelton, 65. Burnett was vice president and corporate controller for the past 12 years and in the 12 years prior worked as a consultant for the company.

Also, John J. Angle, 50, has assumed the role of senior vice president of operations.  He has been with W. M. Jordan for 18 years and previously served as vice-president and project executive.

The company said it plans to make additional appointments to its senior management team.

In his new role, Lawson, 66, plans to focus on advancing corporate innovation and fostering the company’s corporate culture.

Lauster, 48,  will manage the daily activities of the company with overall responsibility for corporate strategy, operations, growth and profitability.

The company said the changes are the result of a succession plan pursued by Lawson during the past two years based on a philosophy of promoting from within.

During Lawson’s tenure as the company’s president, it grew from being a local general contractor into a regional construction firm with annual revenues of $500 million.

Engineering News Record MidAtlantic named W. M. Jordan its 2018 “Contractor of the Year.”