Lincicome is the 11th person to lead the firm, which was founded 92 years ago in St. Paul, Minn. The company, which offers integrated architecture, engineering and construction services to its clients, today employs more than 800. The firm is preparing to open its 12th location in February in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Lincicome, who makes his home in Washington, D.C., has been with Ellerbe Becket for more than 20 years. He has served as president since 1998. Prior to that he served as president of architecture and director of the firm’s Washington, D.C., and New York locations. A graduate of the University of Illinois School of Architecture, Lincicome later taught architecture at the school. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Greater Washington, D.C., Board of Trade.
His initial focus will be to make the firm synonymous with high design and high value for clients. “We have the individual creativity and innovating mind-set well in hand,” he said. “What I believe we need to emphasize today is a systemic culture of creative collaboration across all disciplines. Creativity is the preeminent cultural imperative at Ellerbe Becket.”
The leader of the firm’s Board of Directors agrees. “We have made enormous strides,” said Board Chair Steven Sjoblad. “The new leadership will infuse an even greater sense of creativity and innovation into the firm’s offerings.” Sjoblad, who serves as non-executive chair, led Fallon McElligott, one of the world’s most renowned creative advertising agencies. He now leads a corporate strategy practice.
“Living In The Future”
So why switch horses when the firm just completed a record financial year and its global presence continues to grow? The company has projects underway on nearly every continent and is well known for its expertise in hospitals and ambulatory clinics, sports stadiums and arenas, central heating and cooling plants and mission critical facilities that ensure 24/7 reliability for e-commerce companies.
Nevertheless, Degenhardt and Lincicome sat down at the end of 2000 to discuss the state of the firm and how to dramatically accelerate its rate of success.
“As Rick had taken on more and more responsibility, I had started spending more time living in the future,” said Degenhardt. “We decided that this was a good direction and that I should spend most, if not all, of my energy and time positioning the firm five years out.”
Sjoblad points to the tremendous progress the company has made in its business model, its marketing strategy and its global approach. “The transition is appropriate right now to take advantage of all the things we’ve accomplished under Bob’s leadership.”
In his new role, Degenhardt will focus on long-range strategic planning and building Ellerbe Becket’s brand recognition globally. He will chair Ellerbe Becket’s strategic planning committee. His goal is the same as the firm’s: to dramatically accelerate the firm’s high design/high value offering by building more of what it designs worldwide.
During Degenhardt’s tenure as CEO, he oversaw the transition of Ellerbe Becket to a fully-integrated firm – one offering the disciplines of architecture, engineering and construction management under one roof. He has been the industry champion for truly integrated teams bringing a much higher value offering to customers.
An innovator since its founding in 1909, Ellerbe Becket is a leader in the design and construction industry with locations worldwide.
