G. Smedes York

• Chairman of the Board
• 33 Years with McDonald York
• NC State University, B.S. Civil Engineering
• University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Master in Business Administration

A Raleigh native, Smedes has spent his adult life serving the needs of the Triangle region and its citizens. He is a highly respected businessman and has been instrumental in helping the Triangle area become one of the most desired places to live in the United States. He served as Raleigh Council Member from 1977-1979 and Mayor of Raleigh from 1979 to 1983. He has served in a leadership capacity for many civic organizations. Smedes has spent his entire professional career in real estate and construction. After completing his military service, Smedes joined York Construction in 1968 and became president in 1977.

John "Jack" M. McDonald, P.E.

• Chief Executive Officer
• 24 Years with McDonald York
• Merrimack College in North Andover, MA, B.S. in Civil Engineering

Jack is a Registered Professional Engineer and a seasoned construction executive with 42 years of experience. From 1966-1969, he served as an officer in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and received an Army Commendation Medal. In 1969, Jack began his career with B.G. Danis, a general contractor located in Dayton, Ohio. In 1977, he joined McCarthy and soon after joining the firm was named president of its Texas division.

In 1986, Jack joined Coleman and Wood, a general contractor in Rockville, Maryland, as president and part owner. In 1993, he led the formation of McDonald York when Coleman and Wood relocated its operations to Raleigh and merged with York Construction Company. Jack provides senior leadership, serves on the Board of Directors and heads the McDonald York Learning and Innovation Program.

Heather Denny

• President
• 17 Years with McDonald York
• NC State University, B.S. in Civil Engineering, Construction Option

A native of North Carolina, Heather has been with McDonald York since graduating from NC State. She provides vision and leadership for the company. She uses her problem solving capabilities; consensus team building skills and outstanding communication skills to provide the leadership necessary to maintain McDonald York's position as one of the Triangle's top construction companies. Heather is passionate about client relationship building and works on developing new business for the company.

Heather has received numerous awards including Engineering News Record 20 Under 40, Triangle Business Journal's 40 Under 40, CREW Network 20 Under 40, Triangle Business Journal's Women in Business and Business Leader Magazine's Women Extraordinaire. She is a member of and has held numerous leadership positions in ISPE, IFMA, ULI, CED, TCREW, GCAR, Capital City Club, American Heart Association Heart Ball, American Red Cross and Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce among several others.

Mike Kriston, LEED AP

• Vice President of Business Development
• 3 Years with McDonald York
• Catholic University in Washington DC, B.S. in Civil Engineering

With more than 9 years of construction experience, Mike brings a solid, first-hand understanding of the challenges our clients face and the solutions that McDonald York can provide. He is responsible for developing business in all McDonald York market sectors. Mike is an active member of ISPE, IFMA, CoreNet, NAIOP, Rotary Club of Raleigh, Morrisville Chamber of Commerce and the Durham Chamber of Commerce.

Cary Lail, LEED AP

• Vice President of Operations
• 13 Years with McDonald York
• NC State University, B.S. in Civil Engineering with Construction Option

Vice President, Client Executive Cary started his construction career by working in the field during the summers while a student. He worked for McDonald York as an intern and joined the company full-time after graduating from NC State in 1997. Cary has risen through the ranks beginning as a project engineer and advancing to Vice President, Client Executive. As a Client Executive he is the main point of contact for an assigned group of clients, acting as their advocate with the purpose of ensuring overall satisfaction.

Tanner Holland

• Vice President, Client Executive
• 16 years with McDonald York
• B.S. Environmental Science, NC State University

Tanner has over 16 years of experience in a wide-ranging background of corporate, commercial, healthcare and office construction experience. Tanner holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from North Carolina State University.

As the Chief Operating Officer he provides leadership and oversight of the daily operations of the company.

Pete McClintock, LEED AP

• Client Executive
• B.S. Civil Engineering, NC State University

Pete has over 15 years of experience in the construction industry and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from North Carolina State University. He is LEED AP (Accredited Professional) with the USGBC and has his General Contractors License. Pete brings a background in managing large and complex construction projects to McDonald York. As a Client Executive he is the main point of contact for an assigned group of clients, acting as their advocate with the purpose of ensuring overall satisfaction.

Braden Hoppen, LEED AP

• Vice President, Field Operations
• B.S., Iowa State University

Building rapport with the clients, subcontractors, architects, engineers, end users and adjacent occupants is the key to Braden’s success. Braden has over 8 years of proven leadership in the field on highly complex and sophisticated projects for our clients. He holds a Bachelors Degree from Iowa State University, is LEED AP and has achieved both OSHA-10-hour and 30-hour certification.