KANSAS CITY, MO. — CRB announced the appointment of Vahid Ownjazayeri as its new president and chief executive officer. 

With more than 40 years of experience in design, construction and the management of complex infrastructure projects, Ownjazayeri brings a strong track record of driving growth and leading high-performing teams. He joins CRB from Global Infrastructure Solutions Inc., where he served as managing director and played a key role in the firm’s strategic growth, mergers and acquisitions, and global expansion efforts. Prior to that, he held several key leadership positions at AECOM, including chief strategy and growth officer. 

“CRB is a world-class services provider built over 40-plus years by highly skilled, talented and hardworking professionals who take immense pride in delivering great work for clients,” said Jeff Biskup, CRB co-founder, who now serves as executive chairman of the board of directors. “With this incredible group alongside him, we’re confident Vahid will keep pushing the company forward and setting new standards for success.”

Ownjazayeri earned both his master’s in structural engineering and bachelor’s in civil engineering from Northeastern University. A licensed Professional Engineer, he is actively involved in industry organizations and sits on several boards. 

“Across our core markets, change is confronting our clients at an unprecedented pace,” Ownjazayeri said. “Companies need highly skilled, knowledgeable partners who can efficiently scale their ideas and products — from R&D to the consumer — while ensuring profitability and safety. I am grateful to join CRB’s highly capable project teams, and together we will seize this chance to turn those challenges into opportunities.”

Ownjazayeri succeeds Lee Emel, who served as interim president and CEO following the retirement of Ryan Schroeder in 2024.

“This is really an unprecedented time in our organization’s history, and I am excited about the opportunity to learn and grow through my partnership with Vahid in leading CRB into the future,” Emel said.

Read more about personnel changes throughout the industry.