KANSAS CITY, Missouri — As the oil, gas and chemicals industries adapt to transitions in the market, Burns & McDonnell is announcing key leadership promotions to help the firm continue to deliver on our clients’ biggest challenges. The Oil, Gas & Chemical Group of Burns & McDonnell has promoted five individuals to expand services and capabilities.

“This new leadership will help bring more focus to the markets that make up our Oil, Gas and Chemical Group, positioning us for growth as we transition into the future,” says Bob Reymond, President and General Manager of the Group. “The industries are changing, creating both opportunities and challenges for our clients. We’re investing in our team to continue helping our clients navigate a successful path forward.”

The key promotions:

Andrew Becker has been promoted to Technical and Strategic Adviser for the Oil, Gas & Chemical Group, working to streamline the firm’s strategic focus for future growth. Becker will provide his technical, strategic and market knowledge to the managing directors as well as other internal and external stakeholders. With almost 15 years of industry experience, Becker has provided unique insight across all oil, gas and chemical market sectors, bringing innovation to many of the firm’s most significant projects and clients.

Becker has been at the forefront of new and novel technology application development within the firm’s process engineering group. He was also named as the industry’s “Most Promising Engineer” by Hydrocarbon Processing in 2020.

Meaghan McCaffrey has been promoted to Managing Director of Renewables and Emerging Markets, spearheading the Oil, Gas & Chemical Group’s focus on renewable solutions. As a cornerstone of the firm’s renewable efforts, she will lead the oil, gas and chemical group in the growing renewables market. McCaffrey will also play an integral role supporting clients as they seek a viable connection between new and evolving technologies across traditional markets.

With almost 15 years of industry experience, McCaffrey focuses on identifying and proposing innovative renewable project solutions.

Kevin Syphard has been promoted to Managing Director of the Chemicals Market Sector, providing dynamic business and technical solutions to clients in the petrochemical and chemical markets. With more than 25 years of leadership experience for EPC chemical projects, Syphard is ideally positioned to expand and diversify the firm’s resume in the industry.

His background spans refining, petrochemicals, specialty chemicals and renewable energy markets, with a heavy focus on technology transfer and early-phase project development across a broad range of chemical technologies. He has been responsible for all phases of engineering projects and has been integral in petrochemical and chemical market development globally.

Jason Hetherington has been promoted to Managing Director of Logistics and Midstream, where he will focus on expanding the firm’s midstream, logistics and storage business. In this new role, he leads a team engaged in large-volume storage and transportation projects for petroleum-based products. Hetherington’s promotion continues the company’s commitment to providing planning, design, procurement, construction, commissioning and startup services for storage terminals, including crude oil, refined products and liquefied petroleum gas. Additionally, the firm provides receiving, storage and blending, as well as truck, rail and marine loading/unloading facility solutions.

With more than 16 years of experience executing midstream, logistics, consumer products and refining projects, Hetherington knows how to lead a successful team.  Jason has a proven track-record of leading successful EPC projects. He is known for leading streamlined, fast-track projects that have consistently been on time and within budget.

Dave Nispel has been promoted to Managing Director of Refining. With dedication to and an emphasis on predictable project execution, Nispel has played an essential role in creating a strong refining business within the Oil, Gas & Chemical Group. He will continue to help clients in the refining space incorporate margin enhancing and renewable solutions.

With almost 30 years in the refining and chemical space, Nispel’s experience spans developing and building strong client relationships, strategic planning, business development, process engineering and project management for numerous projects in refining, chemicals, agribusiness, and food and consumer products projects.

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a family of companies bringing together an unmatched team of 7,600 engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists to design and build our critical infrastructure. With an integrated construction and design mindset, we offer full-service capabilities with more than 60 offices globally. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn how we are designed to build.