Gulf Island Fabrication Inc. has new leadership.
Richard Heo has been named president and CEO, replacing Kirk Meche, who annnounced in October he was retiring. Heo will also serve as a director of the company, which has operating facilities in Houma, Jennings and Lake Charles.
Heo brings over 20 years of engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction industry experience to Gulf Island. Most recently, he served as senior vice president of North, Central and South America for McDermott International Inc. Richard previously served as Executive Vice President of Fabrication Services for Chicago Bridge & Iron and president of CB&I’s Engineered Products business unit. Prior to joining CB&I, he served in various senior leadership positions at KBR Inc.
“Richard has extensive industry knowledge and is a proven business leader with a track record of building highly functional sales and operations teams and successfully converting new ideas into sustainable and profitable revenue growth,” says Gulf Island Chairman Jack Laborde. “Richard understands the risks and opportunities inherent in our business and the board is confident he is the right leader for the company as we move forward.”
Laborde also plans to step down as chairman—a position he has held since 2013—following the company’s 2020 annual shareholders’ meeting. The Gulf Island Fabrication Board of Directors also plans to reduce its size by two members immediately following that same meeting.
Gulf Island fabricates complex steel structures, modules and marine vessels used in energy extraction and production, petrochemical and industrial facilities, power generation, alternative energy and shipping and marine transportation operations. Its corporate headquarters are in Houston.
