Burns & McDonnell Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Burns & McDonnell has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational management, information systems, and technical innovation.

Focused on delivering comprehensive engineering and construction solutions, Burns & McDonnell drives infrastructure development across aviation, defense, and utility markets to build a more resilient global future.

Leadership Roles at Burns & McDonnell

  • Chief Executive Officer - Leslie Duke
  • Chief Financial Officer - Alissa Schuessler
  • Chief Operating Officer - Joseph Diab
  • President & Chief Operating Officer - Paul Fischer
  • Chief Operating Officer, Energy Group - Robert Reymond
  • President and Board of Director for Burns and McDonnell - David Yeamans
  • President & General Manager, Global Facilities - Michael Fenske
  • Chief Information Officer - James Swanski
  • Chief Technology Officer - Chuck Brown
  • Chief Administrative Officer - Parul Gopal
  • Leslie Duke - Chief Executive Officer

    Leslie Duke, the Chief Executive Officer at Burns & McDonnell, directs the overarching strategic vision for the firm. Duke manages the integration of engineering, architecture, and construction services across diverse global markets. By aligning corporate objectives with client needs in the aviation and defense sectors, the Chief Executive Officer ensures consistent project delivery and operational excellence. Duke maintains rigorous standards for environmental consulting and utility infrastructure projects. Through constant engagement with the Board, the Chief Executive Officer fosters a culture of innovation and sustainable growth. Leslie Duke prioritizes long-term value creation for stakeholders while overseeing the expansion of service capabilities. This leadership approach secures the firm's position as a premier provider of complex infrastructure solutions. By optimizing internal processes and resource allocation, the Chief Executive Officer drives the company toward achieving ambitious performance targets in competitive international landscapes.
    Leslie Duke

    Alissa Schuessler - Chief Financial Officer

    Alissa Schuessler, the Chief Financial Officer at Burns & McDonnell, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the organization. Schuessler oversees financial reporting, risk management, and investment planning to support the firm's engineering and construction projects. By analyzing market trends in the utility and environmental sectors, the Chief Financial Officer ensures the company maintains a robust balance sheet. Alissa Schuessler coordinates with executive leadership to fund large-scale infrastructure initiatives and drive operational efficiency. This role involves monitoring global economic conditions to mitigate financial exposure during complex project lifecycles. Through precise budgeting and financial forecasting, the Chief Financial Officer enables the firm to pursue strategic acquisitions and technological investments. Schuessler maintains transparency with stakeholders while upholding rigorous compliance standards. By optimizing the financial framework, the Chief Financial Officer supports the sustainable growth of the entire enterprise across all regional operations.
    Alissa Schuessler

    Joseph Diab - Chief Operating Officer

    Joseph Diab, the Chief Operating Officer at Burns & McDonnell, directs the daily execution of engineering and construction projects. Diab oversees the operational workflows that support the firm's diverse service offerings in the defense and aviation markets. By streamlining project management methodologies, the Chief Operating Officer ensures that teams meet strict safety and quality benchmarks. Joseph Diab coordinates cross-functional efforts to improve productivity and resource utilization across North American operations. This leadership role involves identifying bottlenecks in project delivery and implementing scalable solutions to enhance client satisfaction. Through rigorous oversight of field operations, the Chief Operating Officer maintains the firm's reputation for technical precision. Diab collaborates with other executives to align operational capacity with business development goals. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, the Chief Operating Officer drives the successful completion of complex infrastructure projects while maintaining high standards of environmental stewardship.
    Joseph Diab

    Paul Fischer - President & Chief Operating Officer

    Paul Fischer, the President & Chief Operating Officer at Burns & McDonnell, manages the high-level operational strategy and corporate governance of the firm. Fischer oversees the execution of large-scale engineering and construction initiatives across the company's primary markets. By aligning departmental goals with the overall mission, the President & Chief Operating Officer ensures consistent performance and client delivery. Paul Fischer coordinates with the executive team to drive growth in the aviation and utility sectors. This leadership role involves overseeing the firm's internal structure to support complex project requirements. Through strategic oversight of regional operations, the President & Chief Operating Officer maintains the company's commitment to quality and safety. Fischer fosters collaboration between engineering and consulting teams to deliver integrated solutions. By optimizing organizational performance, the President & Chief Operating Officer supports the firm's long-term success and market influence in the construction industry.
    Paul Fischer

    Robert Reymond - Chief Operating Officer, Energy Group

    Robert Reymond, the Chief Operating Officer, Energy Group at Burns & McDonnell, directs the operational strategy for the firm's energy-focused engineering and construction projects. Reymond oversees the delivery of utility-scale infrastructure and environmental solutions within the energy sector. By managing project teams and resource allocation, the Chief Operating Officer, Energy Group ensures that energy initiatives meet rigorous performance and safety standards. Robert Reymond coordinates with clients to address complex challenges in power generation and distribution. This role involves optimizing project workflows to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Through the oversight of energy-related operations, the Chief Operating Officer, Energy Group drives the successful execution of critical infrastructure projects. Reymond collaborates with other executives to align energy sector goals with the firm's broader strategic vision. By focusing on technical excellence and operational reliability, the Chief Operating Officer, Energy Group supports the company's growth in the energy market.

    David Yeamans - President and Board of Director for Burns and McDonnell

    David Yeamans, the President and Board of Director for Burns and McDonnell at Burns & McDonnell, directs the governance and strategic oversight of the firm. Yeamans manages the relationship between the Board and executive leadership to ensure alignment with the company's long-term mission. By providing guidance on corporate policy and market expansion, the President and Board of Director for Burns and McDonnell supports the firm's engineering and construction initiatives. David Yeamans coordinates with other directors to evaluate business opportunities in the utility and environmental sectors. This role involves maintaining the firm's commitment to ethical standards and sustainable growth. Through the oversight of board-level initiatives, the President and Board of Director for Burns and McDonnell drives the company's strategic direction. Yeamans collaborates with the executive team to address complex challenges and capitalize on market trends. By fostering strong governance, the President and Board of Director for Burns and McDonnell ensures the firm's continued success.
    David Yeamans

    Michael Fenske - President & General Manager, Global Facilities

    Michael Fenske, the President & General Manager, Global Facilities at Burns & McDonnell, directs the operations and business development for the firm's global facilities division. Fenske oversees the design and construction of complex facilities for clients in the aviation, defense, and commercial sectors. By managing project teams and client relationships, the President & General Manager, Global Facilities ensures the delivery of high-quality engineering and architectural solutions. Michael Fenske coordinates with regional leaders to expand the firm's footprint in international markets. This role involves optimizing project delivery models to meet the specific needs of global clients. Through the oversight of facility-related operations, the President & General Manager, Global Facilities drives the successful execution of large-scale infrastructure projects. Fenske collaborates with other executives to align the facilities division with the company's broader strategic goals. By focusing on technical innovation and client satisfaction, the President & General Manager, Global Facilities supports the firm's growth.

    James Swanski - Chief Information Officer

    James Swanski, the Chief Information Officer at Burns & McDonnell, architects the digital infrastructure and data security frameworks for the firm. Swanski oversees the implementation of advanced software solutions that support engineering design and construction management. By integrating secure information systems, the Chief Information Officer ensures that project data remains protected and accessible across global teams. James Swanski drives the adoption of digital tools that enhance collaboration between architects, engineers, and consultants. This role involves managing the firm's technology roadmap to support innovation in the utility and environmental sectors. Through the deployment of robust cybersecurity protocols, the Chief Information Officer mitigates risks associated with digital project delivery. Swanski collaborates with leadership to leverage data analytics for improved decision-making and operational efficiency. By modernizing the technological landscape, the Chief Information Officer enables the company to maintain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving engineering industry.

    Chuck Brown - Chief Technology Officer

    Chuck Brown, the Chief Technology Officer at Burns & McDonnell, directs the research and development of technical solutions for complex infrastructure challenges. Brown oversees the integration of emerging technologies into the firm's engineering and construction processes. By evaluating new tools for environmental consulting and utility design, the Chief Technology Officer ensures the company remains at the forefront of industry innovation. Chuck Brown coordinates with technical teams to develop proprietary systems that improve project accuracy and efficiency. This role involves fostering partnerships with technology providers to enhance the firm's service capabilities in the defense and aviation markets. Through the application of advanced engineering software, the Chief Technology Officer drives the development of sustainable infrastructure solutions. Brown collaborates with executive leadership to align technical investments with long-term business objectives. By championing technological advancement, the Chief Technology Officer secures the firm's position as a leader in technical excellence.

    Parul Gopal - Chief Administrative Officer

    Parul Gopal, the Chief Administrative Officer at Burns & McDonnell, directs the internal administrative functions and corporate support services for the firm. Gopal oversees human resources, facilities management, and organizational development to ensure a productive work environment. By streamlining administrative processes, the Chief Administrative Officer supports the engineering and construction teams in their daily operations. Parul Gopal coordinates with leadership to implement policies that foster professional growth and employee engagement. This role involves managing the firm's corporate infrastructure to support its diverse service offerings in the defense and aviation markets. Through the oversight of administrative operations, the Chief Administrative Officer ensures that the company maintains high standards of compliance and operational efficiency. Gopal collaborates with other executives to align administrative support with the firm's strategic goals. By optimizing internal systems, the Chief Administrative Officer enables the company to focus on delivering exceptional engineering and consulting services.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Burns & McDonnell Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Burns & McDonnell?
    Burns & McDonnell is led by Leslie Duke (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Alissa Schuessler (Chief Financial Officer) and Joseph Diab (Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Burns & McDonnell’s executive team?
    The executive team of Burns & McDonnell includes leaders such as Leslie Duke (Chief Executive Officer), Alissa Schuessler (Chief Financial Officer), Joseph Diab (Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Burns & McDonnell have?
    Burns & McDonnell has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Burns & McDonnell’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Burns & McDonnell includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President & Chief Operating Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Energy Group.