JACKSONVILLE, FL — Haskell, one of the leading global architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and consulting firms, continued its leadership succession announcing today that John Paul Sáenz has been appointed Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Operating Officer (COO). The appointment of a new COO was expected as former COO Jim O’Leary was appointed President last month. O’Leary succeeded Steve Halverson who continues to serve as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors. Sáenz joined Haskell in 1997 assuming progressive roles of responsibility including today's appointment to COO. During his 20 years with the company, Sáenz has held several key positions starting as a Project Manager and most recently serving as a Group President. Sáenz is credited with establishing Haskell’s footprint in the Latin America Region. He guided Haskell’s largest market, the Food and Beverage Division, to double digit growth and profitability. Most recently as Consumer and Packaged Goods (CPG) Group President, he was strategically involved with successful acquisitions that have globalized and transformed Haskell’s capabilities to provide fully integrated EPC (Engineer Procure Construct) delivery capabilities to both longstanding and new clients.
"The privilege to work across the enterprise and support all groups and every Haskell employee is a responsibility I take seriously,” said Sáenz. “Haskell has given me every opportunity to thrive and I want to ensure that same opportunity to my colleagues and our clients."
O’Leary served as COO for the past five years. The Haskell succession plan for executive leadership has been a two-year initiative to interview and evaluate the right team to lead the organization in the new era of project delivery.
"By any measure John Paul is a proven and innovative leader for Haskell,” said O’Leary. “He is an essential contributor to my executive team as we continue to grow our enterprise, strengthen our culture and provide our clients with unmatched service."
Sáenz graduated from Georgia Tech with a bachelor’s degree in construction and civil engineering. He has a master’s degree from the University of Florida and has completed executive education at The University of Chicago School of Business. He is a Certified General Contractor (CGC) and LEED-AP who is committed to personal and professional development. He serves with several civic and professional organizations including University of Florida’s MBA Advisory Board, the Cathedral Arts Project, and the Riverside Presbyterian Day School Board of Trustees.
With Sáenz appointment to EVP/COO, Mike Woods has been promoted to CPG Group President. Mike joined Haskell as a Civil Engineer Intern (Associate) in 1998 and has since held roles including Assistant Project Manager, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, Quality Manager, Project Manager, Senior Project Manager and Project Director before becoming the CPG Group Vice President of Construction. His experience includes running very complex and successful projects – both domestic and global – including Haskell’s first Asia-based project dating back to 2008.
Under Woods’ leadership, Haskell has made significant advancements in operational excellence and positive impacts to staffing, training, safety, project delivery and profitability. Woods holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Florida.
Concurrent with Woods’ promotion, Luis Jiménez assumes the role of Vice President/Group Director of Construction for CPG. Jiménez began his career with Haskell as a Project Manager in 1998 and quickly moved to Director of Operations for Latin America before becoming Vice President in 2006. His leadership has built a very talented team and strong client relationships with well-known multi-national customers in Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Jiménez obtained his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, and is a professional Civil Engineer in Colombia. Jiménez will continue to oversee Haskell’s Latin America Operations.
