Damian Eallonardo – A New Chapter for Chicago

Damian Eallonardo, President, W.E. O’Neil Construction (image: The Real Deal)

Big news for our Chicago team—Damian Eallonardo has been promoted to President. With more than three decades in the commercial construction industry and $4+ billion in projects under his belt, Damian brings a wealth of experience and insight to this role. Damian will also transition to regional president of the Chicago and Texas regions when the 43-year-company-veteran John Russell, who currently holds that title, retires later in 2025.

“Damian embodies O’Neil’s core value of  building great relationships and he puts serving our clients first,” shared John Russell. “His leadership style motivates his team to accomplish great things.”

Since joining W.E. O’Neil, Damian has made an impact not just through his leadership but also with his deep understanding of Chicago’s ever-evolving commercial real estate and development market. His ability to anticipate industry shifts and develop smart construction solutions has been invaluable to our clients and teams alike.

“My involvement in the construction industry is a family affair, as my father, two brothers, and sister all work for contractors,” Damian shared. “I’ve always loved tangible things, and working in construction feeds that passion. The process of creating something from nothing is real, fulfilling, and motivating.”

Damian speaking at a BisNow event.

Before becoming part of W.E. O’Neil, Damian held executive leadership positions at two other major general contractors in Chicago. He also serves as a board member for the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors. His expertise in the skilled labor market and the economic forces that shape design and construction costs make him an incredible asset to our team.

“Over the last century, W.E. O’Neil has built an incredible reputation, which is a key factor in our ability to attract top talent throughout the industry, like Damian,” said recently appointed CEO John Finn, speaking to Damian’s well-established career before joining O’Neil in 2019.

Left to right: Brian Ramsay, John Finn, John Russell, Damian Eallonardo, Kevin Foltermann. Damian holds the “torch” passed to him by John Russell, previous Chicago President.

With our company celebrating 100 years of excellence, Damian’s promotion is a testament to the strength of leadership we’ve built over the decades. His ability to balance industry knowledge with a people-first approach aligns perfectly with W.E. O’Neil’s values and our commitment to growth.

“I’m excited to take on this new role and continue working with our talented teams to build the kind of projects that define Chicago’s skyline and communities,” Damian said. “W.E. O’Neil has an incredible reputation, and I’m honored to contribute to its legacy.”

Congratulations, Damian! We can’t wait to see where your leadership takes us next.