Associated General Contractors of America CEO to retire

Stephen E. Sandherr has announced his retirement as CEO of the Arlington, Virginia-based Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), effective March 31, 2024.

“I am grateful to have retained the confidence of AGC’s officers and board for these many years,” Sandherr says. “I am also fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with smart and talented colleagues to advance AGC’s mission throughout my career.”

Sandherr has been CEO of the association for the commercial construction industry for 27 years and has served it for 37 years in various capacities. The association also announced that its current chief operating officer, Jeffrey Shoaf, will serve as the association’s next CEO.

“While we support Steve moving on to the next phase of his life, our members are grateful for his strong leadership for more than a quarter of a century,” says AGC National President Lester C. Snyder III, who also serves as the executive vice president of Brightline West in Las Vegas. “He has built a fantastic team at AGC, elevated our advocacy efforts and committed the organization to address all issues affecting the construction industry.”

Shoaf, who has been COO since 2017, joined AGC in 1994. He is a graduate of James Madison University and, prior to joining AGC, was a staff member for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Prior to being named to his current position, Shoaf oversaw AGC’s government relations activities.

“This is a great honor for me and a heady responsibility. Steve has enhanced AGC’s stature within the construction industry and with key decision makers for more than 30 years,” said Shoaf. “We will continue to utilize that stature and the skilled people who work here to innovate and advocate for the industry.”

The choice of the new CEO was made by a selection committee comprised of seven former AGC presidents and chaired by 2022 President Dan Fordice, who also serves as the vice president of Fordice Construction in Vicksburg, Mississippi. “Our selection committee viewed our responsibility to choose a new CEO who would maintain AGC’s status as ‘the construction association’ while protecting the staff culture that has contributed to many successes,” Fordice says. “Jeff’s background, experience and dedication to our mission made him the right choice for the job.”

As the trade association for the commercial construction industry, the AGC serves as the voice of the construction industry. The association works to ensure the continued success of its members by advocating for measures to support construction, providing opportunities for firms to learn about ways to become more accomplished and connecting them with the resources and individuals they need to be successful business and corporate citizens.

The association has 89 chapters and over 27,000 member firms.