Transformative news from Clayco!
We are starting the next chapter for our team as we continue to grow and evolve in a booming construction market. Since Clayco’s former CEO Russ Burns retired at the end of 2024 after leading us for 17 years with vision and purpose, I’m excited to announce that Anthony Johnson will succeed Russ as CEO!
Russ Burns Retires, Anthony Johnson Named CEO
Russ has been setting the table for this transition for a long time and will remain with us as Chairman of the Clayco Board. Under his guidance, Clayco grew into one of the nation’s leading builders of technical and mission-critical projects, with almost $7.5 billion in revenue and a team of over 3,800. It has been a long grooming process with collaborative teamwork to get here, and we are delighted with the transition!
Anthony joined Clayco in 2008 and has been instrumental in our growth, driving sales to $9 billion in 2024, along with pioneering new businesses and services. He is a proven leader who will build on Russ’ incredible legacy. I am confident Anthony will keep positioning Clayco as a leader in the design-build industry, and I look forward to all that we will achieve together.
Expanding Our Leadership Team
We are also expanding and strengthening our leadership team to elevate our commitment to innovation and excellence for our clients and communities. It is built into Clayco’s DNA to handle our clients' most complicated projects efficiently, and this revamped structure will enable us to combine the strengths of many team members and pour our resources into capitalizing on new opportunities.
Updated roles for members of our Clayco team include:
Key members of Anthony’s leadership team will continue to include:
These leaders bring diverse expertise, innovative thinking, and a joint dedication to advancing Clayco’s mission! This is a perfect opportunity to build on everything we’ve accomplished and move into a brand new phase.
Introducing Clayco Compute
I’m also thrilled to share the launch of Clayco Compute – our new advanced technology business unit that focuses on projects that will help meet the increasing demand for cutting-edge data centers and quantum computing construction. Our expansion is fueled by America’s need for secure onshore tech production for national security and the private sector’s increasing reliance on cloud computing, AI, and high-performance data storage. In 2024, data centers brought in $3.6 billion—half of our total revenue and more than double 2023’s $1.5 billion. Clayco Compute is on track to drive even greater growth, with revenue expected to exceed $4.5 billion by 2026.
This new unit will be led by Ryan McGuire, a 20-year industry veteran with unmatched expertise in delivering complex projects. Clayco Compute offers a fully integrated, end-to-end solution that encompasses land acquisition, refined utility management, design, engineering, equipment procurement, off-site modular solutions, self-perform concrete, mechanical, electrical, and construction services. With over $12.7 billion in advanced technology projects completed or underway and 57 data center projects nationwide, Clayco is already a top-five builder in this sector, and this new vertical will further cement our leadership.
Full Steam Ahead
These are all significant milestones for Clayco! With fresh perspectives and enhanced priorities on collaboration, I’m confident we will achieve even more success while staying true to the values that have always defined us. The future is bright, and I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish in 2025 and beyond.
You can check out an insightful conversation with Yahoo Finance Anchor Julie Hyman and me as we discuss the past, present, and what comes next for Clayco below:
Let’s hurry up every chance we get!
