David L. Richter has resigned as Chief Executive Officer of Hill International, ending a 22-year career with the company during which he held a number of leadership roles.
Richter, who became CEO in 2014, initiated and led the effort to make Hill a public company in 2006 and his final act was to oversee the sale of Hill’s construction claims group, leaving Hill as a pure play project management company.
“The sale of the company’s Construction Claims Group is critical to the future of Hill. It was extremely important for me and the company to see this transaction through,” said Richter.
“This sale will significantly improve Hill’s financial position and create opportunities for growth that were not possible prior to the sale. I am extremely proud of the team we have built at Hill and I am honored to have served as CEO of such an outstanding world-class organization.
Craig L. Martin, Hill’s Chairman, said of Richter: “David was an integral part of Hill’s growth and the driving force behind the sale of the Claims Group. He is leaving Hill on a very high note having orchestrated the most important transaction in Hill’s history.
Paul Evans, a Director on Hill’s Board since August 2016, will assume the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director until a permanent replacement is appointed. Evans has extensive operational and leadership experience, most recently serving as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of MYR Group.
“I am honored to be appointed as Interim CEO. We appreciate everything David has done to make Hill a global leader in construction management,” said Evans. “Our focus going forward will be on maintaining liquidity, improving internal controls, optimizing financial performance and returning to profitability,” added Evans.
Further leadership changes include Craig Martin’s appointment as Executive Chairman to a newly established Office of the Chairman. The Office of the Chairman is comprised of Craig Martin, Chairman, Paul Evans, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director, Raouf S. Ghali, President and Chief Operating Officer and William H. Dengler, Jr. Executive Vice President and General Counsel. This committee represents all Hill International stakeholders: employees, clients and shareholders.
Following the closing of the Construction Claims Group, Hill International, with 3,300 professionals in more than 60 offices worldwide, will provide program management, project management, construction management and other consulting services primarily to the buildings, transportation, environmental, energy and industrial markets.