Karl Kloster, Midwest Division president for McCarthy, will retire on May 1, 2009. Kloster’s announcement sets the stage for this Division, which currently extends from the Rocky Mountains to the East Coast, to become two operational entities on January 1, a Southeast Division and a Central Division.
Kevin Kuntz becomes president of the Southeast Division headquartered in Atlanta, overseeing McCarthy’s operations in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. A 25-year McCarthy veteran, he has held a variety of positions in the Midwest Division prior to this appointment, including vice president, operations based out of the St. Louis office. During his time in St. Louis, he served as chairman of the board of the Associated General Contractors’ St. Louis chapter and was a founding board member of the Construction Career Center, the first charter construction high school in the country. He was selected to open McCarthy’s Atlanta office in 2005.
Scott Wittkop becomes president of the new Central Division headquartered in St. Louis, overseeing McCarthy operations in the remaining states east of the Rockies as well as its healthcare, science & technology, and St. Louis business units. Since joining McCarthy in 1986 as a project engineer, Wittkop has spent the last 23 years moving up through the ranks of the organization. In 2006 he became vice president, operations for the Midwest Healthcare Business Unit, following his service as a project director in Denver. Wittkop has demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities and his energy, knowledge of the construction industry, and passion for building has prepared him well to step up to this new leadership role.
“As a community builder, this transition enhances our ability to respond quickly to growing client needs,” said Derek Glanvill, McCarthy president/chief operating officer. “It has been in the works since Karl made known to me his intention to retire some time ago. The contributions he made during his remarkable 21-year career at McCarthy have positioned the division well for these important changes.”
Under Kloster’s leadership, the Division experienced major growth. He nurtured some of McCarthy’s most enduring client and partner relationships, and his commitment to the St. Louis community helped make a significant impact on numerous charitable organizations in the region. One of those relationships, Make-a-Wish Foundation, began when he led the fundraising drive to establish a regional headquarters. Through the years Kloster, who served a 6-year term on their Board, supported the organization’s fund raisers by providing assistance with golf tournaments and other events. In addition to Make-a-Wish, Kloster also served on the Board of Variety – the Children’s Charity of St. Louis.
“Karl has made a tremendous impact on both our business and the St. Louis community,” Glanvill added. “We wish him all the pleasures of a long and happy retirement.”
About McCarthy
Founded in 1864, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest privately held construction firms. The company provides general contracting, construction management, program management and design/build services for healthcare, education, parking, entertainment, retail, laboratory, biotechnical, microelectronic, and industrial facilities; office buildings; tenant interiors; mixed-use; and bridges and highways. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com.
