PLAINVIEW, NY EW Howell Construction Group, one of the region's leading education, government, cultural and healthcare builders, announces the promotion of several key employees.

Paul O'Rourke has been named Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, Daniel Williams has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer, Michael Johneas to Executive Vice President, Denise Orlando to Marketing Director, and Michelle Pressley has been named Office Manager.  

EW Howell Construction Group's five construction teams -- Arts & Culture, Education, Healthcare, Retail and Special Projects - have been hard at work on many of the region's notable projects, including the expansion of Lord & Taylor in Manhasset, Benchmark Assisted Living in Smithtown, Stony Brook Medical and Research Translation (MART), and The New York Botanical Garden Edible Academy.

"Paul, Daniel, Michael, Denise and Michelle are essential to our operations. Their hard work and dedication to the company provides the necessary support that EW Howell needs to "˜Build Simply.' This includes management of all financials at the firm, the crafting and implementing marketing and public relations efforts, and office operations," said Howard Rowland, President of EW Howell Construction Group.

Paul O'Rourke has been with EW Howell since 1988, when he joined as an assistant project manager. Over the years, his high level of performance and dedication have proven to be valuable assets in overseeing the construction of the firm's extensive project base in the New York Metropolitan region.  

As Chief Operating Officer, O'Rourke is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company - implementing plans and policies to achieve overall corporate objectives and maximizing operating results. He holds a bachelor's degree in architecture from the New York Institute of Technology.  O'Rourke is also one of the co-founders of the John Bergin Benefit for a Friend, a charitable organization that helps local families in need.

Daniel Williams began his career at EW Howell in 2007 as the firm's Controller, and was recently promoted to Chief Financial Officer. With more than 25 years of accounting experience, Dan oversees all accounting activity firm-wide. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the Rochester Institute of Technology.

Michael Johneas joined EW Howell's Plainview office in 1992, and was recently promoted to Executive Vice President from Project Executive. He has more than 35 years of experience in the construction industry, and has managed a diverse range of construction projects from inception through completion. During his time at EW Howell, Johneas became involved with the Target Store Program in 1997, when the firm started construction on its first Long Island store. He has since led all the company's projects for Target, Lowe's, Walmart and Costco. Johneas holds a bachelor's degree in construction technology from SUNY Farmingdale.

In her new role as Marketing Director, Denise Orlando is responsible for overseeing all the marketing activities of EW Howell Construction Group, including public relations, branding, proposals, graphic design, social media and event planning. She joined EW Howell's Plainview office in 2004 as a Marketing Associate, becoming a Marketing Coordinator in 2013. Orlando holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Hofstra University. 

Michelle Pressley has been named Office Manager at EW Howell Construction Group, rising to the role from Project Assistant. She joined the firm as in 2003. Pressley is responsible for organizing office procedures and operations in EW Howell's Plainview office.