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Our People

Built by Experts.
Driven by Excellence.

Meet the dedicated professionals who make John Burns an industry leader in Texas. From field specialists to office leadership, our team delivers exceptional results.

500+

Texas Team Members

$1 Billion

Bonding Capcity

.69

EMR Safety Rating

120

Years Building Excellence
What Drives Us

Our Core Values

Our success is built on core values that every team member embodies every day

Love of the Game

We are passionate about building, brand, and our team
01

Champions of Change

We adapt to new markets, new roles, and new challenges
02

Persistent Problem Solvers

We identify the problems, own the problems, and solve the problems.
03
Skilled Trades
Master craftsmen with specialized expertise
Collaborative Culture
Working together to achieve excellence
Field Excellence
Precision execution on every job site

Meet Our Texas Team

Our experienced Texas team combines leadership expertise with field excellence to deliver outstanding results on every project.
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William O'Malley
CEO

William O’Malley, over 35 years of industry experience, currently serves as CEO of John Burns Construction Company, managing the operations of 1,000+ employees with annual revenues in excess of $300 million.

Bill’s credentials include a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona. Bill has extensive experience in estimating and managing underground utilities, telecommunications, electrical infrastructure, and general contracting projects.

Bill’s expertise includes:

  • Corporate leadership
  • General contracting
  • Construction and business management
  • Strategic planning
  • Industry relationships

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David Jones
COO

David Jones brings over 25 years of industry experience and has been with John Burns Construction Company of Texas since 2006. He is a proud Texas A&M University graduate, Class of 2001, holding a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.

Prior to joining John Burns, David built a diverse background working with the Texas Department of Transportation, a national engineering firm, and a regional Texas engineering firm. This breadth of experience gives him a well-rounded and practical perspective on project feasibility, constructability, and profitability across the Texas market. He has also continued to invest in his professional growth through a variety of leadership and management development programs over the years.

David’s technical expertise, combined with his commitment to continuous improvement, makes him a strong contributor to the organization. In addition, he is a driver of the company’s culture—leading by example, supporting the development of others, and reinforcing a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach that benefits both projects and people.

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Case Whitfield
Executive Vice President of Field Operations

Case has been in the construction industry since 1999, beginning his career as a plumber in the DFW area with his family business, Whitfield Plumbing. He earned his Master Plumbing License in 2008, building a strong technical foundation early in his career. In 2012, Case transitioned into a leadership role with an underground utility company, serving as a superintendent where he successfully managed multiple projects.

In 2016, he founded his own underground utility company and served as Chief Operating Officer until 2022, gaining extensive experience in operations, team leadership, and business development. Case’s deep understanding of the industry, combined with his strong problem-solving abilities, makes him a valuable asset to John Burns Construction. Beyond his operational contributions, he is a driver of the company’s culture—bringing passion for construction, a commitment to his teammates, and a focus on building strong relationships that positively impact the organization.

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Matt Leazer
Vice President of Preconstruction

Matt brings over 16 years of experience in the construction industry and currently serves as Vice President of Preconstruction at John Burns Construction Company of Texas. He is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree and developed the foundation for his career in construction.

Throughout his career, Matt has built a reputation for driving efficiency and delivering value through well-executed preconstruction strategies. He is passionate about improving processes, building strong teams, and developing the next generation of construction professionals. His leadership and collaborative approach help ensure projects are set up for success from the earliest stages.

Matt’s expertise includes:

  • Streamlining processes
  • Bid and proposal management
  • Team building and leadership
  • Development and mentorship of emerging professionals

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Drew Caraway
Director of Project Management

Drew Caraway began his career in the Oil and Gas industry after graduating from The University of Texas with a B.S. In Petroleum Engineering.  Drew worked as a Field Engineer throughout the Rocky Mountain region, before relocating back to Texas for an office-based engineering role.  In 2020, Drew joined the construction industry as a Project Manager at a local utility company, progressing to the position of Division Manager.  Drew joined John Burns Construction Company of Texas in 2025, and brought along his key skills in the areas of Problem Solving, Communication, Planning and Organization.

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Amy Welsch
Controller

Amy is an accounting leader with more than 14 years of experience streamlining financial processes and supporting large construction and real estate organizations. She focuses on improving the month‑end close, strengthening reporting, and helping teams work more efficiently.

Before joining John Burns, Amy held leadership roles at a national homebuilder and general contractor, where she managed multi‑division accounting teams, supported major business units, and led process improvements across operations.

Amy is a Certified Public Accountant with a BBA in Accounting from Texas A&M University. She’s passionate about building collaborative teams and creating smoother, more effective financial systems.

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Lisa Bell
Director of HR

With over 20 years of HR experience in the construction industry, Lisa Bell serves as Human Resources Manager, where she also oversees payroll operations. Throughout her career, she has developed a deep appreciation for the people behind the projects and the important role they play in every success.

Lisa believes that great companies are built by great people. She takes pride in being someone employees can rely on, whether it’s navigating benefits, understanding payroll, or simply having someone who listens. Her leadership style is grounded in service, growth, and genuine care for others. Lisa is passionate about creating a positive work environment where employees have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to succeed both on and off the jobsite.

For Lisa, construction isn’t just about building projects; it’s about building people, strong teams, and a culture that lasts.

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Patrick Conboy
Vice President, Director, Business & Market Development

Patrick Conboy brings a unique blend of Fortune 100 discipline and entrepreneurial agility to his leadership at John Burns, Texas. With a career rooted in building high-value customer relationships and accelerating enterprise growth, Patrick champions the firm’s strategic expansion across utilities, energy, mission-critical, telecom, and civil infrastructure markets throughout Texas and beyond.

Recognized nationally as an AdAge Power Player, an Internet Retailer Hot 100 honoree, and an Effie Award winner, Patrick has built his reputation on one core principle: keep the customer at the center of every decision. His ability to merge brand strategy, client experience, and market development has consistently delivered measurable value for partners and organizations alike.

In his role at John Burns, Patrick leads client engagement, drives new market penetration, and cultivates industry partnerships that strengthen the company’s long-term footprint in high-growth sectors. Patrick graduated cum laude from the University of Notre Dame with a BFA in Industrial Design and a second major in Business Administration.

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Taylor Shipman
Director of Safety

Taylor has built his career in the construction industry with nearly a decade of experience, focusing on safety leadership in underground utility operations. As Director of Safety, he oversees safety strategy, field execution, and team development across a diverse workforce and multiple complex projects throughout North Texas. He leads a high-performing safety team focused on supporting the field and driving results.

With hands-on experience supporting high-risk operations such as complex trench safety systems and underground utility installations, Taylor emphasizes a practical, field-driven approach to safety. He is known for bridging the gap between Safety and Operations through Extreme Ownership, Operational Awareness, and Driving Relationships at every level of the organization.

Taylor holds his Certified Safety Director credential and CHST certification, and is passionate about developing safety professionals, strengthening leadership accountability, and creating systems that empower crews to take ownership of their work. His leadership philosophy centers on the belief that safety and production go hand-in-hand, and that strong relationships are the foundation of a positive and sustainable safety culture.

Taylor’s expertise includes:

  • Leadership and Safety Culture Transformation
  • Excavation and Trench Safety
  • Safety Training and Development
  • Field safety coaching and mentorship

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Frank Benfer
General Superintendent

Frank is a seasoned construction professional with over 30 years of experience leading complex wet and dry utility operations. Raised in Central Pennsylvania, he began his career in 1989 and steadily advanced into leadership roles, earning a reputation for operational excellence, technical expertise, and delivering high-quality infrastructure projects.

In 2022, Frank relocated to Boyd, Texas and joined John Burns Construction of Texas as a Superintendent. Recognized for his leadership and impact, he was promoted to General Superintendent of all field operations in January 2025.

In his current role, Frank provides strategic oversight of field operations, driving performance, ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality, and leading teams to successfully execute projects across the organization

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Robert (Bob) Sears
General Superintendent

Bob brings nearly four decades of experience in the construction industry, with a diverse background in wet and dry utilities, heavy civil, excavation, and commercial construction, including school projects. He has successfully managed projects ranging from $500,000 to $54 million, demonstrating strong leadership, operational expertise, and a commitment to delivering quality results.

He joined John Burns Construction of Texas in 2025, where he continues to play a key role in supporting field operations and project success. Known for his hands-on approach and problemsolving mindset, Bob is a dependable leader who consistently steps in where needed and takes pride in being a persistent problem solver across all aspects of the field.

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