AECOM names new CEO, president

AECOM, Los Angeles, announced June 15 that Troy Rudd has been named the company’s new CEO. Currently AECOM’s CFO, Rudd will assume the role from Michael Burke, who previously announced his plans to retire. The company also announced the appointment of Lara Poloni, currently AECOM’s chief executive of Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), to president of AECOM. Both appointments are effective Oct 1.

“Following a comprehensive six-month search process that considered internal and external candidates, the board concluded that Troy is best-suited to lead AECOM at this pivotal time. We enter this new chapter providing greater certainty to all our stakeholders that AECOM is moving decisively to sustain its solid momentum driven by its ongoing transformation into a professional services business,” Steven Kandarian, lead independent director of AECOM’s board of directors, says. “We have full confidence in Troy to define the next, successful era for our organization. His leadership, as well as Lara’s, have contributed to our strong financial performance and the execution of key initiatives that resulted in substantially improved profitability and expanded margins, and transformed our balance sheet with record levels of liquidity.”

“I am honored to be appointed CEO and look forward to leading AECOM with support from Lara, our executive leadership team and our board as our great company shapes the future of our industry,” Rudd says. “Our people have demonstrated dedication, perseverance and adaptability throughout our transformation and the uncertainties of this past year. This has only affirmed my belief that we have the talent, capabilities and reach to deliver exceptional service to our clients, build on our strong financial performance and create value for all our stakeholders.”

“I am excited to work with Troy and our teams around the world as we continue leveraging AECOM’s exceptional expertise and innovative solutions to deliver on our clients’ most complex projects,” Poloni says. “Looking ahead, we remain focused on creating value for our shareholders as our global workforce increasingly becomes the premier trusted professional services partner to our clients.”

Since joining AECOM in 2009, Rudd has held leadership roles encompassing operational and financial responsibility for AECOM’s Americas Design and Consulting Services business, as well as AECOM Capital, mergers and acquisitions, investor relations, treasury, corporate controllership and financial reporting, risk and controls, and tax and shared services functions. Rudd has also led the expansion of the company’s design center and shared services center practices.

Poloni has held various leadership positions across her 25-plus-year tenure with AECOM, including chief executive of AECOM’s Australia and New Zealand operations from 2014 before moving into her current chief executive of EMEA role in October 2017.

“I have been privileged to lead this incredible organization and [I am] proud to see the positive impact our teams have made in building a better company and a better world. Troy has been core to these achievements, and I am confident that AECOM will continue to thrive under his leadership. With Lara, their combined tenure and deep familiarity with the company’s strategic initiatives uniquely position them to lead the firm forward and realize long-term success.”

Kandarian says, “Mike has made significant contributions throughout his 15 years serving AECOM. Not only was he instrumental in AECOM’s growth and evolution from a private company to a leading public firm in our industry, but he has created a strong foundation on which the company can continue to build and will help support both Troy and Lara as they transition to their new roles. On behalf of the board of directors, I thank Mike for all he has done for AECOM, and the legacy he leaves.”