NEW ORLEANS, LA Barriere Construction Co., LLC announces the implementation of its leadership succession plan and the transition of several other employees to new management roles.

Effective Jan. 1, 2016, company President and CEO George H. Wilson, Jr. has transitioned to Chairman of the Board of Directors, with Peter A. Wilson assuming the role of President and CEO, and Bertrand A. Wilson moving into the role of President of Asphalt and Materials Operations overseeing the North Shore, South Shore and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, asphalt plants, as well as all mining operations. These promotions are central to the company's succession plan as approved by the Barriere Board of Directors.

George H. Wilson, Jr. joined the company in 1975 and has served in several management capacities becoming President and CEO in 1990. Peter A. Wilson most recently served as President of North Shore Asphalt and Materials Operations while Bert A. Wilson has transitioned from his position as President of South Shore Asphalt and will maintain his focus on the Baton Rouge Group and the completion of its new asphalt plant in March.

Additionally, James "Jim" Breland, Jr. and Matthew Woods have been named company Vice-Presidents and members of the Senior Executive Committee. Breland has assumed responsibilities for leading the company's Asphalt Operations in the greater New Orleans and North Shore areas. Woods has transitioned to leading Barriere's Heavy Civil and Industrial Construction Operations, as well as responsibilities for Estimating resources. Breland joined Barriere in 2002, while Woods has been with the company since 1999.

In line with the execution of Barriere's long-term succession plan, Brian J. Cooney will be retiring effective March 31st. Cooney joined Barriere in 1988 and has served in various positions of leadership, namely as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), leading up to his current position as Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration. Cooney has played an integral role in the success of the Company and is regarded as a friend and industry leader whose rigor and guidance helped manage the growth of the business over the last three decades. Following his retirement, Cooney will continue to serve in a consulting capacity at Barriere.

Cooney's primary responsibilities will be transitioned to three well-respected Company leaders: Heath Wahden (CFO), Chris Williams (Director of Administration and Employee Development), and Paul Albrecht (Safety Director). Along with Breland and Woods, Wahden and Williams were appointed to Barriere's Senior Executive Committee where they will be instrumental in helping to execute the long-range corporate strategy.

"Today's announcements are central to the company's strategic plan which calls for the streamlining of services and management to maximize efficiencies and coordinate resources throughout the Barriere organization," said Peter A. Wilson. "Further, these announcements validate to our customers that Barriere will continue to operate with our long-established tradition of safety, service, and value, while demonstrating to our employees that meaningful opportunities exist for career advancement and upward mobility within our expanding organization."