According to Skanska USA Building Inc., headquartered in Parsippany, N.J., Richard Kennedy was promoted to chief operating officer from his previous role as senior vice president - general counsel. Kennedy's promotion marks the latest addition to Skanska's national leadership team. In his role as Metro New York area COO, Kennedy will oversee operations in the N.Y. and N.J. region for the U.S. arm of one of the world's leading development and construction groups. He will continue to report directly to Bill Flemming, Skanska USA Building's president and chief executive officer. A 13-year veteran of the construction industry, Kennedy joined Skanska in 2004 as SVP - general counsel. During his tenure in this position, he negotiated some of the firm's largest contract awards in recent years, including the New Meadowlands Stadium and United Nations headquarters renovation projects. "For the past four years, Skanska has focused on succession planning, developing a strong leadership bench and preserving our culture by promoting new leaders from within our organization," said Flemming. "With Richard's outstanding track record, I am confident he will excel in furthering Skanska's business." Kennedy holds a bachelor of arts degree from Rutgers University; a juris doctor degree from Seton Hall School of Law; and a master of laws degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science.