SEATTLE, WA — Skanska names Lew Guerrette as the new Regional Executive Officer (REO) overseeing the operations in Skanska USA Building’s West Region, which includes Washington, Oregon, and California. Guerrette succeeds REO Jim Link, who has held the role since 2018, and will retire after a 41-year career in the construction industry. Guerrette previously served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager for the company’s Washington operations.
As REO, Guerrette will be responsible for overseeing the region’s general managers, leading business strategy, succession planning, national connectivity, and working with local leaders to advance the business across the greater region.
“As the leader of our Washington operating unit for the last four years, Lew has been instrumental in growing our business and developing high performing teams in Washington,” said Clay Haden, President and CEO, Skanska USA Building. “Given his depth of experience, strategic mindset, and track record of success, I am confident that Lew is the right person to lead our west coast operations.”
“My tenure at Skanska has been fueled by the shared commitment of talented people across the entire organization as well as the opportunity to build amazing projects," Guerrette said. “I’m thrilled to take on this new role leveraging individual office strengths into a regional strategy of continuous development that will set our team and company on a path toward even greater success.”
Guerrette has 33 years of construction industry experience, including three decades with Skanska. During his career, Guerrette has overseen several marquee projects for key Skanska customers including Microsoft, Boeing, and the University of Washington, among others.
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Guerrette is a graduate of the New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering.
Skanska also announces that Don Kowalchuk will succeed Guerrette, moving into the role of Executive Vice President and General Manager of the company’s Washington operating unit, with its office in Seattle. Kowalchuk has spent his entire 35-year career in construction with Skanska, joining in 1991 as a member of the operations team.
Kowalchuk previously served as the Senior Vice President of Operations. In his prior roles, Kowalchuk primarily focused on developing, training, recruiting, and advocating for Skanska’s field leadership. He also helped expand and improve Skanska’s self-perform operations, equipment management, quality control, and coordinated field staffing for the operating unit.
“Don is an experienced and respected leader who has played a key role in shaping our business in Washington for the past 30 years," Haden said. “I couldn’t be more excited to have Don continue our legacy of success in Washington.”
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During his career, Kowalchuk has been a part of major projects for Sound Transit, Seattle Mariners, and Skanska USA Commercial Development, among others. He has also been integral in more than a dozen K-12 construction and renovation projects.
“Skanska has been my home for the past 35 years and, in that time, I have been lucky enough to learn from some of the best role models and colleagues in the industry," Kowalchuk said. “I’ve grown to understand what it means to be committed to excellence and how to deliver projects as a team that is focused on safety and making a positive difference in the communities in which we build. I’m excited to take on this new role and continue to grow our operations in the state of Washington.”
Kowalchuk holds a Bachelor of Science in construction management from Washington State University.
