Growing up in a large family of modest means in Oxford, Ohio, Dan Baker worked hard to help support his family. At age 15, he began working as a residential masonry laborer for his grandfather, Elmer Baker, after school and during summer breaks. He continued working as a concrete finisher to fund his college education at Miami University (Ohio). At 20, faced with a wage cut he and his brothers could ill afford, Dan took a major risk and went into business for himself, convincing his brothers to join him.
In the early days, Dan worked in every imaginable facet of the concrete business while juggling college classes. Most of the day, he worked “in the trenches,” placing and finishing concrete alongside his brothers and co-workers. He spent the remainder of his time building relationships with contractors, personally recruiting all new hires, scheduling work and crews, estimating new jobs, and managing the company’s finances.
While Dan was still earning his bachelor’s degree, Baker Concrete Construction earned a reputation for hard work, high customer satisfaction, exacting quality, and the ability to meet demanding schedules. That reputation powered Baker’s first expansion into the light commercial and light industrial markets in the Dayton and Cincinnati areas, paving the way for future growth in project size and scope.
Dan’s commitment to the construction industry has been evident throughout his career as both a member and leader of multiple trade organizations. He has served on the boards of Allied Construction Industries (ACI), the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), Construction Business Review (CBR), and the Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT).
Dan still takes time to keep up with old friends, spend quality time with family, and enjoy his favorite pastime: hunting.
Brad Wucherpfennig served as CEO of Baker Construction Enterprises until 2023 and now provides strategic oversight and governance as Executive Chairman of the Board.
Brad first joined Baker in 2010 as a member of the Advisory Board while serving as CEO of Phillips-Medisize, a global leader in drug delivery and medical diagnostic manufacturing. At Phillips-Medisize, Brad spent more than a decade driving international growth, operational excellence, and innovation. His experience includes scaling complex manufacturing operations, advancing technology, and building high-performing leadership teams.
Earlier in his career, Brad served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Schwing America, a leading manufacturer of concrete pumping equipment. There, he gained deep insight into the construction industry while leading financial strategy and operations. It was during his time at Schwing that he met Dan Baker — a relationship that ultimately brought him to Baker.
Brad began his career with Ernst & Young and later served as Director of International Finance for SnyderGeneral Corporation.
Brad holds degrees in finance and accounting from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from the University of Minnesota. He has also served on numerous boards across the construction, manufacturing, and medical technology industries.
Dan T. Baker began working in concrete construction during summer breaks in high school. He graduated from Miami University (Ohio) in 2003 and returned to construction as an ironworker with Titan Reinforcing. He spent 10 years with Titan, eventually serving as General Manager.
Dan rejoined Baker Concrete as a Board Member in 2018. In April 2021, he was named Vice President of Baker Construction Enterprises. Committed to leading the company into the next generation, he assumed the roles of Executive Vice Chair of the Board and President in June 2023. His unwavering dedication ensures a seamless leadership transition and sets the stage for continued success and growth.
Dan resides in Florida with his wife, Brooke, son, Luke, and daughter, Vivian.
Karl Watson has dedicated his career to the construction materials industry and served on the Baker Construction Enterprises Board of Directors for two years prior to being named CEO in June 2023. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Palm Beach Atlantic University and an MBA from Rice University’s Jones Graduate School of Business.
During the past 35 years, Karl has served in senior executive roles for some of the biggest names in the construction materials industry, including Forterra, Inc., Summit Materials, Inc., Martin Marietta, Inc., CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V., and Rinker Group Ltd. He currently serves as Chairman of the Concrete Industry Management National Steering Committee. Previously, he served as Chairman of the National Ready Mix Concrete Association and the Florida Concrete & Products Association, and as Vice Chairman of the Portland Cement Association. He has also served on the executive committees of the National Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association; Cement, Concrete & Aggregates Australia; and the American Concrete Pipe Association.
Karl now lives in Houston. He and his wife, Michele, have five adult children and one grandchild.
As the Chief Operating Officer of Baker Construction Enterprises, Gary Benson oversees project management, monitors safety performance, leads proposals and negotiations for new contracts, and coordinates the manpower and equipment necessary to ensure all client obligations are met.
Gary has worked in the construction industry since 1979 and joined Baker Concrete Construction in 1981. He earned bachelor’s degrees in mining engineering and geological engineering from Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology and holds an associate degree in geology from Flathead Valley Community College.
Gary’s analytical, managerial, and problem-solving abilities are key to directing the daily operations of Baker Construction Enterprises. He is also an avid hunter and outdoorsman.
Norman Fornella is the former Chief Financial Officer of Baker Construction Enterprises. He began his career as a Certified Public Accountant in Pittsburgh before joining one of his clients as its Chief Financial Officer.
Norm spent more than 30 years in New York serving as CFO and COO for various international general construction companies before joining Baker Concrete in 2013. Since then, he has led Baker’s finance function, guiding internal auditing, risk assessment, fiscal controls, and revenue growth. He also oversees all financial, regulatory compliance, and management reporting to the Board.
Norm is a Certified Public Accountant, a Chartered Global Management Accountant, and a member of both the Pennsylvania and American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. He is a veteran of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and past President of the Construction Financial Management Association’s New York City chapter.
Norm grew up in Pennsylvania where he earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Duquesne University.
Neal Allread brings a well-rounded perspective on finance and operations to the Baker Construction Enterprises Advisory Board. Neal launched his career on the finance team at Kurz-Kasch, a leading manufacturer of electromagnetic coils and composite components. In 1986, he was named President and CEO, a role he held until 2006.
Over the past two decades, Neal has held several advisory board positions, including roles with the Wright State University Foundation, the Schulte Corporation (an aerospace component manufacturer), and S&L Plastics (a private manufacturing firm acquired by Airlite Plastics).
Ron Magnus is Founder of FMI’s Leadership and Organizational Development practice and the creator of its highly acclaimed Leadership Institute, which boasts over 10,000 alumni worldwide.
A renowned expert in guiding executive teams and boards globally, Ron received the prestigious Top Global Consultant for Influence Award from Consulting Magazine in 2018. Prior to his consulting career, Ron completed a distinguished 12-year military career, which included flying as a fighter pilot, pioneering space and missile training, and instructing leadership at West Point.
Thomas Johnson brings 40 years of experience serving enterprise clients across the construction, real estate, manufacturing, services, and distribution sectors. Before retiring in 2024, he served as the Office Tax Managing Partner in the Tax Services Practice of Deloitte’s Cincinnati office, covering Midwest U.S. markets.
Prior to his time at Deloitte, Thomas was a partner at Arthur Andersen, working with privately held businesses as well as the families and private groups that owned them. Thomas earned a bachelor of science degree in accounting from the University of Kentucky and is a Certified Public Accountant. He serves on the boards of several private companies and foundations.
Gregory OD Smith brings more than four decades of executive leadership experience in the global nuclear energy industry. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles including Chairman and CEO of Urenco USA, Chairman of the Board for Urenco UK, and Senior Vice President of Ontario Power Generation, where he led major nuclear operations, new build initiatives, and large-scale capital construction projects.
Gregory has served on numerous boards and advisory committees, including Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington Construction Review Board, Southern Company’s Vogtle Construction Review Board, and SHINE Technologies. He also spent more than 20 years as an instructor in the Institute of Nuclear Power Operation’s Senior Management Training Program.
Gregory earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, a master’s degree from Mississippi College, and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He is an extreme sports enthusiast and an avid world traveler.
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