Zachry Construction is a large construction company based in San Antonio, Texas. The company was founded in 1924 by John Zachry and has remained a family-owned business for over 95 years. Zachry Construction specializes in industrial projects, commercial buildings, transportation infrastructure, and more. The company has operations across the United States and has completed high-profile projects such as the Alamodome in San Antonio, the San Antonio River Walk, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Current CEO
The current CEO of Zachry Construction is Brian Luciano. Luciano was appointed CEO in 2018, taking over from former CEO Reggie Zachry who served as CEO for 18 years. Prior to becoming CEO, Luciano had a long career at Zachry Construction holding various leadership roles.
Brian Luciano’s Background
Brian Luciano earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University in 1984. After graduating, he immediately began working for Zachry Construction as a project engineer. Luciano spent over 30 years moving up through the ranks at Zachry and gaining experience in all aspects of the construction industry.
Some of the key roles Luciano held prior to becoming CEO include:
- Project Engineer – Early in his career, Luciano spent several years working as a project engineer on Zachry construction sites.
- Vice President of Operations – Oversaw all operational aspects for the company’s western US region.
- Senior Vice President – Responsible for civil construction operations nationwide.
- President & COO – Served as Zachry’s second-in-command overseeing daily operations before being promoted to CEO.
During his time in these critical leadership roles, Luciano gained extensive experience managing large construction projects, developing business relationships with clients, and navigating the financial aspects of the construction industry. These decades of experience prepared him well for the top executive role at Zachry Construction.
Major Projects Under Brian Luciano’s Leadership
As CEO, Brian Luciano has led Zachry Construction in completing several high-profile construction projects across the United States:
Golden 1 Center
This $500+ million basketball arena is home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Zachry Construction completed development of the center in late 2016.
California High-Speed Rail
Zachry Construction is part of a joint venture selected to build the first 119 miles of track for California’s high-speed rail project. This is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in the United States.
Ronald Reagan National Airport
Zachry oversaw major renovations of this busy airport in Washington D.C. including expansion of security checkpoints and parking garages.
Dell Medical School
Luciano led Zachry’s work on the $295 million medical education building at the University of Texas at Austin which opened in 2016.
In addition to these large projects, Zachry Construction has continued its work on hotels, office buildings, manufacturing plants, and public infrastructure under Luciano’s leadership.
Leadership Philosophy
As CEO, Brian Luciano has emphasized upholding Zachry Construction’s longstanding values and culture while also pushing innovation. Some key aspects of Luciano’s leadership philosophy include:
- Safety – Maintaining Zachry’s excellent safety record is Luciano’s top priority.
- Quality – Luciano insists on delivering top quality work and going “above and beyond” for clients.
- Company culture – Zachry Construction has a family-oriented culture tracing back to its roots. Luciano continues to promote this culture.
- Innovation – Luciano encourages innovation in construction techniques, technology, and sustainability practices.
- Growth – Under Luciano’s leadership, Zachry is expanding into new markets and project types.
Luciano has struck a balance between upholding Zachry’s traditions and adapting the company for the future. He understands the construction business well after his long career and provides stable, seasoned leadership even as Zachry takes on new challenges.
Professional Affiliations
As a recognized construction industry leader, Brian Luciano is involved with several professional and charitable organizations. Some of Luciano’s affiliations include:
- Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) – Luciano serves on the AGC’s Board of Directors and Highway & Transportation Division Executive Committee.
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Methodist Healthcare Ministries
- Advisory Board Member for Texas A&M’s Construction Science Department
- Board Member of the Cancer Therapy and Research Center
- Board Member of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation
Through involvement in these organizations, Luciano provides guidance and support on issues like construction safety, workforce development, medical care access, and job growth.
Awards and Recognition
Brian Luciano’s strong leadership of Zachry Construction has been recognized through several awards:
- ENR Award of Merit – Zachry received this prestigious industry award in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 for projects completed under Luciano.
- ASA Contractor of the Year – The American Subcontractors Association named Zachry their “Subcontractor of the Year” in 2018.
- World Safety Declaration Award – The World Economic Forum recognized Zachry’s safety programs led by Luciano in 2017.
- J.D. Power Award – Zachry was ranked “Best in Class” for customer satisfaction amongst large commercial builders by J.D. Power in 2018.
These awards highlight that Zachry Construction maintains its reputation as an industry leader under Luciano’s direction. The company’s continued excellence in safety, quality, and customer service is a direct reflection on Luciano’s leadership capabilities.
Personal Life
Although Luciano keeps busy leading a large construction company, he does find time for several personal interests including:
- Golf – He is an avid golfer when his schedule allows.
- Travel – Luciano enjoys taking trips with his wife.
- Houston Astros – He is a fan of the Houston professional baseball team.
- Texas Longhorns – Luciano follows his alma mater’s football team.
Luciano has two adult children and lives with his wife Nancy in San Antonio, Texas where Zachry Construction is headquartered. They are actively involved in philanthropic efforts for causes related to children’s health and medical research.
Conclusion
Brian Luciano’s long history with Zachry Construction prepared him to take over as the company’s CEO in 2018. He has continued the company’s success by upholding its values of safety, quality, and customer service. Luciano also positioned Zachry Construction for the future by adopting innovative construction methods and expanding into new markets. Under his leadership, the company has won awards and completed major projects across the United States. Luciano’s vision and direction as CEO ensures that Zachry remains a thriving construction business and trusted contractor.