AECOM has named John M. Dionisio chairman of its board of directors, effective Oct. 1. He joined the company in 1971 and has served as president and chief executive officer since 2005; he will also continue to serve as CEO.

Dionisio succeeds Richard G. Newman, founder and chairman emeritus of AECOM, to become the third chairman in the company’s 21-year history. Newman will continue working with the board and management team as vice chairman and board member.

“AECOM is well positioned to capitalize on the significant change that we are seeing in our markets as we pursue new growth opportunities across our end markets and around the world,” said Dionisio. “I am honored to be appointed chairman, and I look forward to continuing to work with the board, and our management team, to advance our global growth strategy.”

In addition, AECOM appointed Jane A. Chmielinski chief operating officer and president of the Americas and Frederick W. Werner president, corporate development.

Chmielinski joined the company in 1993 and has served as executive vice president in charge of Americas operations, and chief corporate officer, since 2009. In her new post, she will be responsible for all AECOM operations while continuing to oversee AECOM’s business in the Americas.

Werner will take the lead client-facing role for the firm as it looks to seize new opportunities associated with large, multi-national clients, new mega projects, and evolving changes in procurement and delivery of projects globally.