BOSTON— Shawmut Design and Construction, a national construction management firm with annual revenue of $2.3 billion, has announced a sweeping growth strategy designed to more than double the company’s size and reach $5 billion in revenue through strategic acquisitions, new leadership roles, and expansion into new markets and sectors, including mission critical facilities.
The strategy, announced Tuesday, builds on Shawmut’s recent success delivering large, complex projects across the country and signals an accelerated phase of national expansion.
Les Hiscoe, who recently completed his 10th year as Shawmut’s chief executive officer, said the firm has a clear and disciplined roadmap for growth that prioritizes resilience, diversification, and long-term client partnerships.
“Our aggressive growth plan positions us for stability in any market,” Hiscoe said. “As we deepen our expertise in existing sectors and expand into new ones, we will continue to lead through the passion, energy, and dedication of our people while delivering exceptional service to our clients.”
Building on Large-Scale Project Success
Shawmut’s Large Project Division has rapidly expanded its national portfolio, which includes FM’s 17-acre research and development campus in Norwood, Massachusetts, St. John’s University’s Health Sciences Center in Queens, New York, and Walmart’s new home office in Bentonville, Arkansas. The Walmart project alone incorporates more than 1 million square feet of cross-laminated timber, reinforcing Shawmut’s leadership in mass timber construction.
The firm’s pivot in 2021 toward larger and more complex projects proved transformational, doubling annual revenue from under $1 billion to more than $2 billion in less than three years. More than 80% of Shawmut’s revenue now comes from repeat clients, underscoring strong long-term relationships.
New Leadership to Drive Growth
A central element of the growth strategy is the expansion of Shawmut’s leadership team.
Kathleen Abbott has joined the firm as its first-ever Chief Revenue Officer, charged with driving strategic growth across regions, sectors, and service lines. Abbott brings 23 years of experience at Arcadis, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, where she developed and executed growth strategies while building global client relationships.
Shawmut has also appointed Joel Nickel as Head of Mission Critical, a newly created role that will guide the firm’s entry into mission critical markets, particularly data centers. Nickel brings extensive experience in delivering and scaling complex mission critical facilities.
“Mission critical is the backbone of AI, cloud computing, and national infrastructure,” Hiscoe said. “Demand is accelerating, and clients are seeking trusted partners who can deliver at scale. This is a natural extension of Shawmut’s expertise in complex projects.”
Continued Investment in People, Technology, and M&A
The new appointments follow leadership advancements made in 2025. Paul DiMarino, Chief Information Officer, is accelerating the adoption of new technologies to enhance client experience and support growth. Michelle LaFleur, Chief People Officer, is focused on culture and talent development, while Marianne Monte, Chief of Staff and Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, is leading the firm’s inorganic growth strategy.
Geographic expansion is also underway. Shawmut announced the opening of a new San Diego office, establishing a permanent presence in a key U.S. market for life sciences, where the firm has been building projects since 2003.
“These moves reflect our momentum and our mission to build a stronger, more forward-looking organization,” Hiscoe said. “We are focused on rapid and sustainable growth that benefits our clients, our people, and the communities where we build.”
With strategic leadership hires, sector diversification, and national expansion, Shawmut Design and Construction is positioning itself for its next phase of growth—one that aims to reshape the firm’s footprint across the U.S. construction landscape.
