PEARL RIVER, NY — Holt Construction reported on Oct. 22 the appointment of Adam Canosa, CPA, MBA, as President of Holt Construction, effective immediately. Canosa brings nearly 20 years of experience spanning construction operations, public accounting, financial management, strategic advisory and executive leadership. Earlier in the month, the company announced the promotion of Joseph Martinez, LEED AP, to Chief Operating Officer.

Mr. Canosa joins Holt with a unique understanding of the construction industry that extends well beyond financial management. Throughout his career, he has worked closely with contractors, specialty trades, owners and executive leadership teams, helping organizations strengthen operations, improve financial performance, manage risk and position themselves for sustainable growth. His experience as both an advisor and an operating executive gives him a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges that construction companies face every day.

Most recently, he served as a Principal and Construction Advisory Practice Leader at Grassi, where he advised construction companies and their leadership teams on strategy, profitability, cash flow, project performance, organizational structure, risk management, bonding, capital planning and growth. Prior to joining Grassi, he led a general contracting firm, where he was directly involved in enterprise strategy, operations, financial performance, customer relationships and long-term business planning.

His experience includes successfully leading a general contracting company through periods of financial and operational complexity, strengthening internal processes, diversifying revenue opportunities, improving project oversight and making decisions focused on the long-term health of the organization. This firsthand experience as an owner and operator provides Mr. Canosa with an appreciation for the people, relationships, accountability and teamwork that are essential to a successful construction company, Holt officials stated.

Mr. Canosa’s background also includes significant involvement in the broader construction industry. He has served as a technical reviewer for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ guide for Construction Contractors and has been a featured speaker at national construction conferences and seminars, including programs for the Construction Financial Management Association and the National Association of Surety Bond Producers. He previously served on the Board of the Associated General Contractors of Connecticut Young Contractors Council and currently serves on the Town of North Branford Permanent Projects Building Committee.

As President, Mr. Canosa will work closely with Holt’s leadership and employees across the company’s offices and teams, with a focus on building upon the company’s longstanding reputation, strengthening operational performance, supporting the Holt family and continuing to develop the client and trade partner relationships that have been central to Holt’s success.

“Adam brings an uncommon combination of construction experience, financial expertise, operational leadership, and a genuine understanding of what it takes to run a successful contracting business,” said Patricia Zugibe, CEO of Holt Construction. “He understands the business from multiple perspectives, but just as importantly, he understands that a strong company is built around strong people. We are excited to have Adam join the Holt team and believe his experience and leadership will be an important part of our continued growth.”

On Oct. 8, Holt Construction announced the promotion of Mr. Martinez, LEED AP, to Chief Operating Officer. He previously served as Holt’s Vice President of Construction Services and Executive Director of Preconstruction and has been an integral member of the company’s leadership team since joining Holt in 2020.

In his new role, Mr. Martinez will oversee Holt’s operations and estimating functions, working closely with Project Executives, Project Directors, estimating and other members of the company’s construction and corporate teams. He will be responsible for helping ensure consistency and excellence across project delivery, from preconstruction and estimating through construction and closeout, while supporting the company’s continued growth and operational objectives.

“Joseph brings an exceptional depth of construction knowledge and firsthand experience to this role,” said CEO Zugibe. “Over the past six years at Holt, he has demonstrated his ability to understand the complexities of our projects, our clients and our people. His more than four decades of experience in the construction industry, combined with his knowledge of estimating, preconstruction and field operations, makes him an outstanding choice to lead these critical areas of our business.”

As COO, Mr. Martinez will help establish and maintain operational standards across Holt’s projects while supporting teams in managing schedules, budgets, contracts, safety, quality, risk and client expectations. He will also oversee the estimating function, helping ensure that projects are approached with accurate budgets, thorough bid document reviews, effective value engineering and a clear understanding of project risks and opportunities before construction begins.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering and a Management Certification from Cornell University. He is also a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP), reflecting his commitment to sustainable building practices and responsible construction.

Mr. Martinez’s promotion comes as Holt continues to expand its construction operations across the markets it serves. In his new position, he will work closely with Holt’s Executive Leadership and Department Heads to advance operational efficiencies, strengthen project delivery and support the company’s long-term strategic goals while maintaining the high standards of quality, safety and integrity that have defined Holt for more than a century, Holt officials said.

Founded in 1919, Holt Construction is a third-generation, family-owned construction management and general contracting firm providing services across a broad range of markets, including aviation, commercial and industrial, corporate interiors, education, entertainment, hospitality, health sciences, mission critical, retail, and transportation and infrastructure.