Branch Group CEO plans 2026 retirement

This time last year, Bob Wills was promoted from chief financial officer to CEO of the Branch Group, an employee-owned construction firm headquartered in Roanoke, following the retirement of Don Graul, who held the post for four years. However, in a press release distributed Thursday, the company announced Wills plans to step down sometime before the end of 2026.

A date for his retirement has not yet been set, according to Branch spokesperson Peg McGuire. Nor has a decision been made on whether Wills will serve on the company’s board following his retirement.

In Thursday’s announcement, Branch announced the promotion of Jason Hoyle to the newly created position of chief operating officer. Hoyle is expected to succeed Wills as Branch’s next CEO under the company’s succession plan, McGuire confirmed.

Previously, Hoyle served as president for the company’s building and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) divisions. In his new role, he has assumed responsibility for all construction operations across Branch and will report directly to Wills. Unit leaders for the company’s civil, building and commercial MEP divisions will report to Hoyle.

“Jason embodies our values of collaboration, accountability, and ownership,” Wills said in the news release. “His experience leading multiple business units and his deep commitment to our employee-owners make him exceptionally well prepared for this companywide role.”

Wills joined Branch in 2017 as CFO. Previously, he was CFO at M+W Americas, a global engineering, procurement and construction firm. He told Branch employee-owners of the succession plan earlier this month.

Branch announced other leadership changes Thursday. Colin Robinson has been promoted to executive vice president of Branch’s building division. Robinson, who joined the company two years ago, has more than two decades of experience in the building industry.

Berton Austin has been promoted to executive vice president of Hopkins | Lacy, Branch’s commercial MEP division. Austin has worked at the company for seven years and has more than two decades of experience in building and MEP.

“Colin and Austin have proven track records of leadership and innovation,” Hoyle said in the news release. “Their contributions will be vital as we align our operations and prepare for the next chapter of growth.”

Branch has total revenues of nearly $750 million and more than 1,300 employee-owners.