Visionary leadership. Retiring board member Randy Woelfel emphasized ‘people matter most’ in his closing comments to Black & Veatch employee-owners.
Independent Director Randy Woelfel, who joined the Black & Veatch board of directors in 2013, retired from the board on Dec. 31, 2025.
“Randy’s impact and legacy and what he has brought to our company since joining the board have been outstanding,” Chairman and CEO Mario Azar said. “He has been instrumental in guiding and supporting the company toward fulfilling our employee-owners’ common purpose and in achieving our strategic vision while protecting and growing shareholder value.”
Woelfel has been a member of many committees in his tenure on the Black & Veatch board, during which time he helped oversee the company’s global business growth at a time of tremendous opportunity in human critical infrastructure.
Words of wisdom
During a recent board strategy meeting, Woelfel shared some comments in advance of his departure to all Black & Veatch employee-owners.
"It has been my privilege to serve alongside three CEOs, fellow board members and many talented leaders and staff,” he said. “I have had a front row seat to enormous change and transformation and thankfully had a small voice and role to play along the way.”
Woelfel encouraged the team to “stay true to the vision and your mission. Nurture the culture every single day – feed it constantly. And remember, many things matter, but people really do matter most.”
The most remarkable process I have seen and been part of is watching the company go from the early days of partial employee ownership to delivering full ownership to the people who show up every day to make a difference. That is extraordinary by any standard."
A career of exemplary leadership
Woelfel was the chief executive officer and director of NOVA Chemicals from 2009 to 2014. He brought 38 years of extensive industry experience to the Black & Veatch board, beginning his career with Shell Oil Company in 1977. While at Shell Oil, he was a key member of the teams that helped create Montell and subsequently Basell Polyolefins — today part of Lyondell Basell.
“Randy’s leadership drew on decades of experience at worldclass companies, and he consistently translated that perspective into practical advice for our board and our teams,” Azar said. “He helped us sharpen strategy, strengthen governance and stay true to a people-first culture. Those contributions don’t end with his retirement; they live on in how our employee-owners make decisions, mentor each other and pursue our common purpose. Future generations will benefit from the standards Randy set — integrity, clarity and a deep respect for the people who make Black & Veatch what it is.”
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