Helbling & Associates Assists STO Building Group in CHRO Search

September 29, 2020 – Wexford, PA-based Helbling & Associates has assisted in the placement of Claudia Healy as chief human resources officer (CHRO) at STO Building Group, a family of construction management companies headquartered in New York City. The search firm launched the assignment at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Through constant contact, innovative screening and presentation methods Helbling & Associates was able to meet and exceed the needs of STO Building Group and conclude the search 45 days prior to the target completion,” said Greg Dunkle, the organization’s chief administrative officer.

Ms. Healy joins STO after spending over two decades at Verizon in nearly every human resources role, including leading programs in talent acquisition, labor relations, training and development, diversity & inclusion, and workforce transformation, among others. In her most recent position, she was responsible for establishing the HR transformation office, accountable for enabling a world-class HR function underpinned by digital HR, people analytics and process excellence. Over the course of her career, she has also helped manage the integration, onboarding and retention processes of mergers and acquisitions.

“As a growing global organization, Claudia’s background and experience across the HR spectrum is a perfect fit for us,” said STO Building Group CEO Bob Mullen. “Her understanding of the HR complexities of a large international company will certainly be helpful to our organization as we continue to grow.”

The Assignment

Helbling & Associates began the search in February. “The selection of the new leader for HR was critical to the continued success of the company and to our future as our current merger partners and those soon to join the group will necessitate a plan for the company to embrace and acclimate new merger partners and their employees in the coming years,” said Mr. Dunkle.

Critically important was finding the unique candidate with the proper culture, experience and deep appreciation for embracing the diversity, he said. “Helbling & Associates embraced the task and were very proactive to solve complex problems which were presented by the pandemic. The engagement with the candidates and the STO group was fluid and produced opportunities for both parts of the equation.” Equally important, he added: the quality of the slate of interviewees was diverse in geography, experience and across multiple industries. “This broad spectrum allowed the interview team to consider varied options which proved to be our path to success,” said Mr. Dunkle.

Helbling & Associates also placed Mr. Dunkle, who started with STO Building Group at the end of 2018.

A Special Culture

With STO, Ms. Healy will oversee the organization’s global HR program, as well as serve as a key advisor to STO’s executive management team on a number of initiatives, ranging from mergers and acquisitions to diversity and inclusion. Ms. Healy will also be an executive participant in the STO Building Group board of directors and a member of its HR and compensation committee.

“Our people are the key to our success,” said STO’s Mr. Dunkle. “With her extensive background in HR and experience in a dynamic, technology-driven industry, we know Claudia will bring valuable insights that will help our employees grow while continuing to foster what is a truly special culture here at STO.”

Ms. Healy earned an MBA and undergraduate degree in business administration and human resources from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She is an executive advisory council member for Seton Hall University’s Stillman School of Business Leadership Development Program and serves on the senior HR executive council for the Conference Board.

Respected Recruiters

The STO Building Group — Structure Tone, LF Driscoll, Structure Tone Southwest, Pavarini Construction Co., Pavarini McGovern, Govan Brown, Ajax Building Co., BCCI Construction Co. and Layton Construction — includes over 3,300 employees located in offices throughout the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Ireland. STO provides a complete range of construction management services, from site selection analysis, design constructability review, and aesthetic enhancements to interior fit-outs, new building construction, and building infrastructure upgrades and modernization. The company, which continues to grow, is on track to surpass $8 Billion in revenue.

Helbling & Associates is an executive search firm specializing exclusively in facilities management, construction, engineering and real estate development. It represents higher education, healthcare and cultural institutions; leading architecture, engineering and construction firms; real estate developers; and public agencies and corporations with significant real estate assets.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor  – Hunt Scanlon Media