Forgen Announces Transition in Chief Executive Leadership
December 15, 2025
“We thrive when we exceed expectations for our customers, our partners, and each other.”
— John Dudasch, CEO
Forgen announced today that John Dudasch has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, following the retirement of Chris Shea, who concluded a decade of exceptional leadership.
During Chris’s tenure, Forgen transformed into a national leader in the civil infrastructure market. His accomplishments include guiding the company through a transition from public to private ownership, spearheading a successful rebrand, fostering a best-in-class safety culture, and driving growth by entering new markets and securing a diverse customer base.
Throughout his tenure, Chris played an instrumental role in shaping a culture grounded in collaboration, operational excellence, and a commitment to doing what is right. His steady leadership has left a lasting impact on the organization and all our people.
The transition has been underway for several months and will be completed at the end of the year. Chris remains connected as needed during this period, and his experience and perspective are greatly appreciated.
Driving the Next Phase of Growth
As Chief Operating Officer, John has been instrumental in enhancing operational efficiency, building scalable systems, and positioning Forgen for sustainable long-term growth across its core markets. He brings decades of industry experience, a servant-leadership mindset, and a disciplined strategic approach to his new role as CEO.
John’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that leadership isn’t defined by titles — it’s defined by impact. Known for his commitment to integrity, accountability, and empowering others, he focuses on doing what is right rather than what is easy, and on maintaining clarity around organizational capacity and capability to ensure excellence for Forgen’s clients and partners.
“Forgen thrives when we exceed expectations for our customers, our partners, and each other,” John said. “That often requires making difficult decisions and being honest about what we can deliver. Our responsibility is to stay focused, disciplined, and aligned, so we continue to deliver exceptional results across every project and every market we serve.”
A People-Centered Approach to Leadership
John’s perspective on leadership has been shaped by the many teams, mentors, and colleagues he has worked alongside throughout his career. He credits pivotal experiences where people came together to support one another and deliver excellence under challenging circumstances, reinforcing his belief in the power of teamwork, humility, and respect.
Looking ahead, John is focused on strengthening operational agility, championing disciplined growth, and navigating evolving economic conditions with thoughtful rigor.
“The market continues to change rapidly in both our public and private sector markets, both of which present tremendous opportunities for our company,” John noted. “Staying nimble and strategic is essential, and I am confident in the strength of our team and the opportunities ahead.”
Positioned for the Future
Forgen leadership expresses strong confidence in John’s vision and capabilities, noting that he has been a key architect of many foundational improvements that will continue to support the organization’s performance and growth.
Chris reflected on his time with the company, saying, “It has been the honor of my career to lead Forgen and work alongside such a dedicated and talented team. I have complete confidence in John and know he will continue to build on the strong foundation we have created together.”
