John Finn Named CEO as W.E. O’Neil Marks 100 Years

John at topping out with CA President Mike Byrne (left) and Brian Ramsay (right)

John Finn Steps into CEO Role as W.E. O’Neil Enters Our Second Century

As we celebrate our 100th anniversary, we’re also celebrating an exciting leadership transition: John Finn has officially stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer. Having spent more than two decades at W.E. O’Neil, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and President of the California region, John is well-prepared to lead our company into its next century of success.

John’s journey at W.E. O’Neil is a testament to our culture of mentorship, growth, and opportunity. Since joining the company, he played a pivotal role in expanding our footprint, particularly in California, where he helped drive a decade of remarkable growth. His leadership has shaped the scale and complexity of our projects, strengthened key client relationships, and positioned us for long-term success.

“John has created tremendous growth in California in the last ten years,” says Brian Ramsay, who is transitioning from CEO to Chairman of the Board. “John’s focus on strategic growth and developing strong relationships with key customers helped transform the company into what it is today.”

Harrah’s Resort Southern California, an early marquee project for John at W.E. O’Neil (c. 2004)

John’s experience in the construction industry spans more than 30 years, starting with his own finish carpentry business while he was still in college. He quickly advanced from project engineer to project manager, overseeing new construction, design-build, and tenant improvement projects in various markets. He built a reputation for driving innovation, operational excellence, and strategic expansion.

“I’m very fortunate to have worked at W.E. O’Neil for the bulk of my career,” John shares. “I chose O’Neil as my home because it was clear that they invested in their people and provided opportunity. This is still true today, and because of that opportunity and our team, we’ve created opportunity and growth.”

John accepting a Best Places to Work Award on behalf of W.E. O’Neil

While serving as COO, John took on a national leadership role, working closely with Brian and the rest of the executive team to ensure W.E. O’Neil was well-positioned for continued success. His transition to CEO is a natural progression—one that honors our history while driving us forward into the future.

“Over the last 100 years, W.E. O’Neil has built an incredible reputation,” John says. “I’m looking forward to launching the firm’s next 100 years and honoring its legacy as our dedicated and highly skilled teams continue to work with top clients on some of the largest, most exciting projects across all regions.”

John conducting a manager training in our El Segundo office.

As John steps into his new role, we look forward to the vision and leadership he will bring. His commitment to W.E. O’Neil’s values, people, and future growth ensures that we remain strong and well-positioned for another century of success.

Congratulations, John!

John is one of the best leaders I’ve seen in the industry. He’s done a tremendous job: expanded our capabilities, raised revenues, and grew our number of employee-owners. He’s an incredible resource. He’s been my right-hand man.
_{Brian RamsayCEO}

Many of our current officers at Chicago’s annual meeting, March 2025