McKissack Named New CEO to Drive Growth Strategy
The construction firm appointed Albert Odjidja as CEO to oversee its transition from an entrepreneurial model.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in People
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McKissack, the oldest Black-owned construction firm in the United States, appointed Albert Odjidja as its new CEO in January 2026. The move follows a multi-year succession search conducted by long-time leader Cheryl McKissack Daniel.
Why it matters
The leadership change marks a strategic pivot for the 100-year-old company as it shifts from an entrepreneurial foundation to a scalable, sustainable business model. Owners of multi-generational firms often face similar pressure to professionalize management as they seek to hit growth targets.
The firm reported $87 million in revenue in 2025 and is projected to reach $118 million in 2026. The transition follows the 25-year tenure of former CEO Cheryl McKissack Daniel.
The players
Albert Odjidja
The current CEO tasked with leading the construction firm through a transition toward a sustainable, scalable business model.
Cheryl McKissack Daniel
The Chair of the Board and former CEO who served for 25 years and led the firm's multi-year search for a successor.
McKissack
The oldest Black-owned construction firm in the United States with over a century of experience in large-scale projects.
JPMorgan Chase
A global financial services institution that utilized the firm to construct its headquarters' trading floors.
The details
Albert Odjidja assumed leadership as the firm looks to institutionalize processes after a century of operation. Cheryl McKissack Daniel, who led the firm for 25 years, remains on as Chair of the Board to assist in the transition. This shift is intended to move the organization, which constructed the trading floors at JPMorgan Chase headquarters in New York, into a new stage of corporate sustainability.
Timeline
January 2026 marked the start of Albert Odjidja's tenure as CEO.
2025 served as the baseline year with $87 million in reported revenue.
2026 is the target year for achieving $118 million in projected revenue.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition follows the established pattern of multi-generational firms professionalizing management to reach higher revenue tiers. The move reflects the broader industry trend of scaling long-standing private firms for long-term survival.
Operators planning their own succession should focus on aligning the incoming leadership team with clear revenue growth milestones. Managing the shift from an entrepreneurial stage to a sustainable business requires formalizing reporting structures and long-term financial forecasting.
The takeaway
Succession is not just about replacing a person but about readying a firm to hit the next major revenue milestone. Operators should audit their current growth trajectory against their ten-year plan to ensure the leadership structure can support the projected scale.
Further reading
For more on industry leadership trends, see the People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Forbes.
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