To comprehend the sheer scale of the American skyline, one must understand the invisible networks of trust, legality, and ethics that hold it all together. Richard Kennedy is not a man who merely looks at skyscrapers and marvels at the glass. He looks at them and sees the intricate web of human collaboration, risk management, and steadfast integrity required to push those structures into the clouds.
With a sweeping 30 years of construction-industry experience, he has cultivated a career that relies just as heavily on the strength of a contract as it does on the strength of a steel beam.
The Counsel of Construction
Before he was directing the physical construction of cities, Richard was deeply embedded in the legal architecture that makes such construction possible. His journey into executive leadership began at Washington Group International in Princeton, New Jersey.
There, from December 1998 to April 2004, he served as Associate General Counsel. He learned how to navigate the complex, high-stakes environment of large-scale engineering law. He learned that a project does not simply stand on a foundation of concrete, but on a foundation of airtight agreements.
In April 2004, he brought this meticulous legal framework to Skanska, a company that would define the next two decades of his life. For just over five years, up until May 2009, he served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel in the Metro New York Region.
In May 2009, he moved into operations, becoming Chief Operating Officer for Skanska USA Building’s Metro New York operations. New York is a city that does not forgive mistakes, and he thrived in its relentless pace. He managed the risk, supported operational delivery, and ensured that the operational machinery of the company moved with absolute legal precision.
Guiding the National Blueprint
The transition from legal counsel to operational master is a rare and difficult pivot, but Richard made that transition over the following seven years. In May 2009, he stepped into the role of Chief Operating Officer for Skanska USA Building’s Metro New York & New Jersey operations.
He spent more than seven years in this position until November 2016. During this period, Richard learned the visceral realities of building in one of the most densely populated, demanding regions on the planet. He saw how policies impacted the tradespeople on the ground.
By November 2016, his profound understanding of both the legal and physical aspects of construction earned him the title of President and CEO of Skanska USA Building. He assumed the role on November 16, 2016, succeeding William Flemming.
A Vision for the Ethical Builder
In January 2018, Richard took on a broader Group leadership role, becoming Executive Vice President of Skanska AB with responsibility for Skanska USA Building, Skanska USA Civil, and Skanska Infrastructure Development. He continued as President and CEO of Skanska USA.
Skanska is widely recognized as one of the largest construction and development companies in the country, with expertise spanning construction, civil infrastructure, and commercial development. Skanska USA generated $8.7 billion in revenue in 2025 and has more than 6,500 employees across the country. He also serves as a member of Skanska’s eight-person Group Leadership Team, which supports the company’s global construction and development operations.
Yet, when you look closely at his leadership, it is not just about financial soundness or staggering revenue. He is deeply committed to serving a broad range of customers with unwavering honesty. Above all, he is fiercely dedicated to promoting an ethical, transparent, and inclusive workplace for his employees.
Skanska describes his leadership approach as centered on collaboration with customers and an ethical, transparent, and inclusive culture that enables employees to do their best work. For Richard, building a better world means building a better environment for the people who swing the hammers, pour the concrete, and draft the plans.
Also Read – Visionary Leaders Transforming Construction, Project Management & Infrastructure Excellence in 2026
