ST. LOUIS, Mo. — After a year-long search, S. M. Wilson & Co. has named Michael Yazbec as the next president of the St. Louis-based construction management firm. Yazbec brings more than 35 years of operations and management experience in the architecture, engineering and construction industry and joined the team on July 8.
Yazbec was selected for the successful leadership and interpersonal qualities that he has exhibited throughout his career. As president, he directs and shapes operations and builds the firm’s client base while retaining S. M. Wilson’s position as a top contractor in the St. Louis region. He will guide the 100-person firm through its 2028 strategic plan and beyond.
S. M. Wilson’s new president most recently served as executive managing director of project and development services for Chicago-based commercial real estate and property investment firm Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), where he oversaw the Central U.S. division, which included in excess of 300 team members. He is known to be a relationship builder and man of his word, characterized by integrity, confidence and open-mindedness. He is known for setting and managing team expectations with a direct communication style.
“I am eager and excited to step into the role of president of S. M. Wilson’s impressive team,” Yazbec said. “I look forward to immersing myself with all aspects of the company, venturing out to the field to get to know our operations team, working alongside our office staff, mentoring where I am needed most and giving back to the community and industry.”
Yazbec has lived and worked in Chicago for the majority of his career, and will be relocating to St. Louis. He earned a Bachelor of Urban Planning and Master in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1988.
S. M. Wilson’s core leadership team, established in 2019, will remain in place. Interim president Rebecca Cornatzer will continue her role as chief human resources officer. In addition to Cornatzer, the firm will be led and managed by executive committee members Mark Cochran, chief operating officer; Mike Mangiore, chief financial officer; Steve Meeks, VP of pre-construction and estimating and Amanda Bohnert, chief marketing officer.
Founded in 1921, S. M. Wilson & Co. is a 100 percent employee-owned construction management, design/build and general contracting firm with offices in St. Louis, Mo. and Edwardsville, Ill.