Detroit, Mich. (Jan. 12, 2021) – Walbridge, a full-service construction company headquartered in Detroit, Mich., today announced the appointment of John Rakolta III as president. In addition to the promotion, he will continue his role as chief administrative officer.
“JR has a proven ability to deliver high levels of sustained results and we are excited about the future,” Walbridge CEO Mike Haller said. “He is the right person, at the right time, to lead the Walbridge team into this new era.”
Throughout JR’s tenure, he has played a major role in the company’s market diversity, growth and financial performance by leading the firm into the hyperscale data center and brownfield redevelopment markets. JR led the organization’s expansion into West Michigan and the revitalization of Florida operations. In addition, JR is advancing his father’s lifelong commitment of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion by championing distinct initiatives within Walbridge and the community.
As the first family member to serve as president in nearly three decades, JR is proud of his third-generation status. The achievements made under the leadership of JR’s late grandfather, John Rakolta Sr., and JR’s father, John Rakolta Jr., have motivated him to advance and expand upon Walbridge’s legacy.
“A couple of the things my father instilled in me are loyalty and reliability,” JR said. “In a world where the idea of normal is rapidly changing, it’s important for our customers, suppliers, and team members to know there is security in Walbridge’s consistency. This organization will build upon our legacy of hard work, safety, and making a positive difference in the communities where we live and work.”
JR holds a B.S. in Building Construction Management from Purdue University, an M.S. in Real Estate Finance & Investment from New York University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Executive Leadership Development program.
Empowered To Grow
Though Walbridge and construction are in his DNA, JR’s journey began in New York where he started his professional career with a Manhattan-based real estate development firm working on projects in New York, New Jersey, and Nevada.
He ultimately returned to Detroit to an entry-level business development role at Walbridge, working under now Group Vice President Mark McClelland. He was expected to make an immediate impact helping to diversify the company into new markets and geographies.
“We all knew that JR was the son of the owner. But at no time did he ask, nor did we treat him any differently than any new hire,” McClelland said. “In fact, we had higher expectations as it related to the quality of workmanship and knowledge of the industry and, at no time, did JR take his last name for granted.”
JR grew in his business development role, eventually transitioning into operations and working within the mobility business unit. The opportunity to work on projects for Ford Motor Company and General Motors enabled JR to be on the front lines and appreciate the intensity and high expectations both customers demand and expect from Walbridge.
“Working on the operational side of the business helped me to develop qualities important to both my personal and professional life,” JR said. “I became a much better listener, clearer in my expectations and communications with others and, most importantly, began to build confidence.”
One of JR’s many mentors includes current CEO Mike Haller.
“I take great pride in having mentored JR in the challenges of being an executive,” Haller said. “I consider John Rakolta Sr. to be like a father to me and worked alongside John Rakolta Jr. for more than 45 years. I remember sitting down with JR early on in his career and helping him find his own direction. Over time he took the best of his father’s and grandfather’s approach and developed his own style of leadership.”
Implementing Lessons Learned
Soon after his projects were completed, JR was promoted to the role of chief financial officer and became the executive responsible for Florida’s operations.
Craig Vincent, project director, said JR had conversations with the entire Florida team to better assess how the group could grow in the market.
“The Florida team was in a transitional period, where we needed a strong executive presence,” Vincent said. “JR stepped into the gap, listened to our team, evaluated our strengths in the market and, in the end, really helped this team maximize our success.”
JR’s guidance was also instrumental in the growth of Walbridge becoming an Engineering News-Record recognized builder of hyperscale data centers.
Assistant Vice President Kirk Schwab was on-site for one of Walbridge’s first large-scale data center projects when JR held a meeting to discuss the future of both the project and the company’s efforts in the market.
“When I first met JR on a project in Virginia, he asked ‘Who do we intend to be?'” Schwab said. “We were about to embark on a massive project in a new market for Walbridge and there was certainly a lot of anxiety and nervousness on-site. JR pushed us past those paradigms, brought the team together and empowered us to execute.”
Reflecting on that meeting, Schwab said JR helped the team to “adopt a growth mindset.”
Dedicated to Walbridge and the Community
Having worked with numerous senior leaders and having opportunities to learn alongside others, JR was named chief administrative officer and executive vice president in 2016.
“JR inspires creative thinking and an excitement for the future of the company – and jokingly, he’s known around the office as someone who enjoys quick wit, a good laugh, and for his sweet tooth,” Haller said.
JR is dedicated to serving the community and routinely volunteers at the United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM), where he serves on the Board of Directors.
“We know firsthand his passion for people, the community, and business,” Dr. Darienne Driver Hudson, president, and CEO of UWSEM, said. “His service as a member on our Board of Directors and his participation on both our Governance/Nominating and Revenue Committee shaped our strategic direction and helped us set many families on a path to financial stability.”
As Walbridge looks toward its 105th anniversary on March 11th, JR said, “It is truly an honor to follow in the footsteps of my family and other amazing leaders as the president of Walbridge. I’m privileged to be surrounded by our hard-working and loyal teammates and I am ready to continue the tradition of delivering world-class facilities and related services for our customers’ success.”