With the resignation of the current CEO, Will Karbach, Branch Group has appointed its Chairman of the Board Mr. Ron Oakley as interim CEO effective July 1st. With this appointment, Mr. Oakley will assume the day to day responsibility for running the Branch Group. The presidents of the four operating companies as well as the CFO and CHRO will report directly to Mr. Oakley.
Mr. Oakley brings with him over 45 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry. Most recently, he was the CEO of M+W (now Exyte), a design and construction company that serves technology customers around the world, including Intel, Micron, Novartis, and Solar City. Ron has extensive experience in vertical construction in both public and private sectors (stadiums, condominiums, higher education, performing arts centers, etc.) and has a long history in Civil projects in the U.S. and overseas. He has served multiple DOTs across the U.S. including VDOT, having developed the I-895 bypass around Richmond, the first Public-Private Transportation Act project in the state of Virginia. He also has experience with mechanical fabrication and installation of high purity piping systems, clean rooms as well as large piping systems in the power generation industry.
Recently retired, he has consulted with Branch and has served on the board since 2018. While in the interim CEO position, Mr. Oakley will remain chairman of the board and will assist in the identification and selection of a permanent CEO along with the Board of directors and Executive Team.
The Branch Group, Inc. supplies corporate services and strategic leadership to its operating companies, so they can meet the growing construction demands of the surrounding communities. Rooted in a history of mutually beneficial relationships with clients and industry partners, the company continues to enhance its reputation as a respected name in the construction industry within the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States.
Project Highlights: SeaQuest Lynchburg is a 22,000-square-foot interactive aquarium dedicated to connecting the public with animals from all over the world. L.A. Lacy was responsible for new plumbing and HVAC systems throughout the building, and the project included highly specialized aquarium equipment and custom displays.
Project Highlights: The University Hospital Expansion includes approximately 425,000-square-feet of new construction and expands the emergency department, operating rooms, and inpatient care facilities. L.A. Lacy was responsible for all medical gas piping throughout the expansion and the 95,000-square-foot existing building renovation, including source equipment and monitoring systems for the impatient tower
Project Highlights: The UVA Pinn Hall fourth floor will serve as a research lab for UVA hospital, focusing on tissue culture and microscopy. The new state-of-the-art space will incorporate an open lab design and accommodate eight research faculty members, 35 postdoctoral, and laboratory support staff. The open design will facilitate collaboration and expansion of projects.
Project Highlights: Gilbane Building Company awarded L.A. Lacy the mechanical and plumbing scope of work on multiple floors, including the roof and basement. With other areas of the building occupied during construction, crews adhered to the owner’s occupancy requirements and worked during compressed and phased schedules.
Project Highlights: LifeSpire of Virginia celebrated the completion of The Culpeper in May 2019. The new 125,000-square-foot assisted living facility features 133 units, state-of-the-art amenities, and multiple dining areas. L.A. Lacy installed an advanced variable refrigerant flow system and preformed work in several specialty areas, including the salon, laundry room, and therapy room. In total, we installed 14 rooftop air handler units, 51 heat pumps, and mini-split units, three dedicated outside air units, and individual tenant vertical heat pumps for each room.
Project Highlights: Branch Builds was selected over strong national competition for this state-of-the-art, high-tech STEM Building, adding to our impressive science/lab project resume. The 72,000-square-foot facility, dedicated to science, technology, engineering, 
Project Highlights: Branch Civil developed an 18-acre parcel for IKEA’s 331,000-square-foot retail store/warehouse and a three-story parking garage. 
Oakley Appointed Interim CEO 
L.A. Lacy Top Projects for 2019 
G.J. Hopkins Top Projects for 2019 