Real Estate 2024: DONALD D. GRAUL

In 2020, Graul joined Branch Group, an employee-owned heavy-highway and building contractor. He had nearly 40 years of industry experience, most recently with Centreville-based Parsons Corp., where he was president of construction and a senior executive for alternative project delivery.

Founded in 1963, Branch has more than 1,000 employee-owners and reported over $500 million in revenue for fiscal 2023. The acquisition of Burnsville, North Carolina-based Young & McQueen in June strengthened Branch’s position in western North Carolina.

Roads & Bridges magazine selected the Branch-affiliated I-95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project as one of its Top 10 Roads of 2023. It increased capacity by 66% on one of the busiest and most congested highways in the United States, according to the publication.

A University of Nebraska civil engineering graduate, Graul completed the senior executive program at London Business School. He has been inducted into the National Academy of Construction.

Graul serves as a vice chair of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association board and sits on the Roanoke Valley Habitat for Humanity board.