HDR Appoints Erin Hunt President, COO

HDR has named Erin Hunt as the company's next president and chief operating officer, replacing Neil Graff, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Hunt will oversee daily global operations of the largest 100% employee-owned firm in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry.

“Erin's leadership has made an incredible impact in every position she's stepped into, and her deep understanding of our business, commitment to our people, and proven ability to deliver results make her the ideal choice to serve as president and COO,” said Chairman and CEO John Henderson.

After earning an environmental engineering degree at the University of Florida, Hunt joined HDR and has held various leadership positions at the firm, from project manager to operations manager for Florida, Alabama and Mississippi. She most recently served as president of the company’s water practice, overseeing its 2,300 professionals, and continues to serve on HDR’s board of directors. 

Hunt’s teams have grown market sectors in the Midwest and enhanced water supply for southwest Florida. “Together, we expanded our influence in the water industry and, most importantly, made a meaningful difference in the communities we serve,” Hunt said. “I am honored to continue serving our employee-owners as COO and excited to join our more than 15,000 employees in building the future together.”

Hunt will transition to her new role in January 2027, after Graff steps down after 35 years with HDR. He served with the company as a regional operations director before overseeing U.S. operations and then North American operations, and became president and COO in 2024.

About HDR

HDR is a 100% employee-owned professional services firm. Founded over a century ago to bring electricity to a changing world, we are now a global company specializing in architecture, engineering, environmental and construction services. Our success in built and natural environments continues as we collaborate to solve our clients’ and communities’ most complex challenges.