G. Smedes York

• Chairman of the Board
• 32 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.

• President and Chief Executive Officer
• 23 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 is responsible for providing leadership, vision and strategic direction.

Heather Denny

• Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
• 13 Years with McDonald York
• NC State University, B.S. in Civil Engineering, Construction Option

A native of North Carolina, Heather has been employed at McDonald York since graduating from NC State. She is the number two corporate officer and is responsible for a full range of day-to-day operations. She works with the president in developing a vision for the company and the enhancements to staff that is needed to bring the vision to reality. She uses her proven leadership and 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 leading construction companies.

Heather has received numerous awards including 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 holds numerous leadership positions in ISPE, IFMA, ULI, CED, TCREW, GCAR, and Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce.

Michael McDonald

• Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
• University of Maryland, B.S. in Computer Science

Michael serves as the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. He is responsible for overseeing functions that include estimating, accounting, human resources, information technology, risk management, bonding and legal affairs. In addition, he coordinates the services of outside corporate consultants.

Prior to his current position, Michael spent the last ten years as the Director of Engineering and as the senior executive of a 140-person company he cofounded in Baltimore and Chicago. He has extensive experience in the construction industry working in the field and office for construction companies such as McCarthy and Coleman and Wood.

Mike Kriston, LEED AP

• Vice President of Business Development
• 2 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 and the Durham Chamber of Commerce.

Cary Lail, LEED AP

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

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 of Operations. He is responsible for overall coordination and management of McDonald York projects. Cary has led the building of numerous high profile and complex projects and has consistently been recognized as a team leader and player - attributes he now brings to bear on his current role.