Groundworks hires CFO

Groundworks has hired Michael Mullican as its chief financial officer, the Virginia Beach-based foundation and water management solutions company announced Wednesday.

Mullican will succeed Stephen Fry, who is retiring at the end of March. Mullican was previously president and CFO of sporting goods retailer Academy Sports + Outdoors, which is headquartered in a suburb of Houston. He also served as executive vice president and general counsel in his six years with Academy. Mullican helped oversee Academy Sports + Outdoors going public.

“With Groundworks continuing our incredible growth momentum, we are kicking off 2024 with a critical hire in Michael Mullican. His proven track record of success in taking world class organizations to new heights is exactly what Groundworks needs as we double down on our growth and market leadership nationwide,” Matt Malone, founder and CEO of Groundworks, said in a statement.

Before joining Academy Sports + Outdoors, Mullican held management roles at supercenter chain Meijer and discount store chain Family Dollar Stores.

“I am eager to bring my years of experience with retail brands over to a new industry, and to provide a fresh perspective to help Groundworks achieve its ambitious business goals,” he said in a statement. “The company’s outstanding commitment to customers and employees, as well as its strong leadership and vision to reshape the home services industry were a huge draw for me.”

Mullican graduated from North Carolina State University with a bachelor’s in communications in 1997 and earned a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 2003.

Founded in 2016, Groundworks’ brands have 60 offices and more than 4,500 employees. The company has made the Inc. 5000, a list of the fastest growing private companies, for seven consecutive years.