Baker Group has made a pair of key promotions that align with a continued commitment to developing internal talent. The promotions include: 

• Joel Bartlett, P.E., Appointed as VP of Design Engineering
• Brandon Hummel Promoted to Executive VP of Pre-Construction

Brandon Hummel has nearly two decades of experience as a member of the Baker Group team. His unique mix of conceptual estimating, pre-construction expertise, and leadership skills have been pivotal in securing and executing major projects across various market sectors.  

Hummel is moving into a newly created position that focuses on how Baker Group sets up projects for success for our clients and for our teams. The changes will bring greater efficiency to the entire pre-construction process, to include design engineering. 

Joel Bartlett has been with Baker Group for 20 years and brings a wealth of experience in design-build project leadership.  He has played a crucial role in many of Baker Group's most complex projects, and his deep understanding of the industry and commitment to innovation position him well to lead the engineering team into the future. 

Bartlett will assume his new position as former VP of Engineering, Jim Cooper, P.E. transitions to a Senior Engineer role. Cooper's distinguished career spans 39 years, 35 of which were with Baker Group. His extensive experience in mechanical design and his leadership have been instrumental in delivering numerous successful specialized projects throughout the Midwest. 

Gary Bridgewater, CEO of Baker Group, says Cooper has been a key piece of the organization's growth during his more than three decades of service. 

"Jim has been an integral part of Baker Group's success during the past 35 years," Bridgewater says. "His leadership and expertise have played a key role in shaping our engineering team and delivering exceptional results for our clients. We are incredibly grateful for his dedicated service, and we look forward to his continued contributions as a Senior Engineer." 

Bridgewater is confident Hummel and Bartlett will excel in their new positions. 

"Our strategy of developing talent internally has always been a cornerstone of our success. With Joel and Brandon stepping into their new roles, we are confident that Baker Group will continue to advance as one of the premier multi-specialty contractors in the Midwest," Bridgewater says. "Their expertise and leadership will undoubtedly contribute to our mission of delivering exceptional value and quality to our clients." 

These leadership changes reflect Baker Group's ongoing commitment to excellence and its focus on fostering a dynamic and skilled workforce capable of tackling the most challenging projects. 

For more information about Baker Group and our services, please visit www.thebakergroup.com.