Boston-based Suffolk Construction has appointed Evan McKee as the new Chief Operating Officer for its Dallas/Fort Worth division. McKee, a seasoned construction leader with more than 20 years at Baltimore-based Whiting-Turner, will play a key role in growing Suffolk’s presence across commercial, higher education, institutional, and healthcare sectors, the company announced on March 25.

McKee’s extensive background includes leading large-scale projects in healthcare and higher education, two markets where Suffolk is actively expanding. His expertise also spans life sciences, adaptive reuse, occupied renovations, and general commercial construction.

“Evan brings a unique perspective to the Suffolk team at a pivotal time for construction in the DFW metroplex,” said Brad Brown, president of Suffolk Texas, in the release. “As business continues to expand in this area, so too do the needs of healthcare and higher education institutions.”

McKee previously served as a vice president at Whiting-Turner, where he oversaw operations with a focus on healthcare and higher education projects. He also acted as the company’s regional healthcare market coordinator, strengthening his ties to a critical sector that Suffolk aims to expand in North Texas.

Suffolk is currently managing major projects in the region, including renovations at the University of Texas at Dallas Research Operations Center. That initiative involves converting existing labs and classrooms into a specialized battery research facility. The company is also leading the DFW Terminal C Renovation project, further strengthening its footprint in the aviation sector.

Technology has been a key differentiator for Suffolk, and the firm continues to leverage cutting-edge tools on its Texas projects. The company has deployed more technology pilot programs at its DFW Electric Central Utility Plant and Mesquite Government Center projects than at any other site in its portfolio. These innovations—such as drones, Boston Dynamics’ “Spot” robot dog, laser scanning, IoT sensors, and AI-driven analytics—have helped Suffolk save approximately $950,000 and reclaim 20 hours of work per week, according to the firm.

“Suffolk’s innovation and operational excellence makes it an attractive partner across sectors and aligns perfectly with the transformative attitude we see throughout North Texas,” McKee said in the release.

Suffolk’s growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area aligns with broader trends in the Texas construction market, where demand for institutional and commercial development remains high. As the region attracts more corporate relocations and university expansions, Suffolk’s emphasis on technology, efficiency, and industry partnerships positions it to capture a greater share of the booming market.

Originally reported by Matthew Thibault in Construction Dive.