Leadership
Team SUCCESS BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF DRIVEN LEADERS

LEADING WITH EXCELLENCEGreat Southwestern’s culture reflects our strong leadership team

We strive for greatness by keeping our mission, vision, values, and operating principles at the center of everything we do. Our experienced leadership team promotes this attitude of excellence as they guide the company forward. By providing strategic insight, industry knowledge, and client satisfaction, they are advancing our legacy and empowering others to perpetually raise the bar.

BRANDON LARK

President, Great Southwestern | Group Vice President, EPC

Brandon was appointed president of Great Southwestern in May 2014 and is responsible for formulating and leading the company’s overall growth and operational strategy. He was named MYR Group vice president, EPC, in 2024, overseeing EPC for transmission, substation, and distribution nationwide. Brandon joined GSWC in 2000 as a substation superintendent and rose through the ranks to become project manager, project developer, senior project manager, and vice president. Brandon also serves on MYR Group’s Executive Management Committee, where he develops and executes business strategy while managing enterprise risk.

He credits his nearly 25 years of hands-on field and management experience to his ability to develop and lead teams that regularly produce effective, on-time, and efficient project execution. His extensive industry experience includes transmission, substation, and wind farm electrical construction projects throughout the nation. These projects have included traditional bid build, long-term MSA as well as full EPC contracts for utilities, COOPs, developers, and private entities.

Brandon holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in project management. He also earned an Associate of Science Degree in civil engineering technology and is a Certified Project Management Specialist (CPMS). Brandon continued his education through the MIT Sloan Executive Education, The Center for Creative Leadership, and Academy Leadership programs as well as many safety and in-house training programs encompassing both technical and leadership curriculums.

TRAVIS MARTINEZ

Vice President

Travis has served as vice president of preconstruction since November 2019. As such, he is responsible for the successful development and oversight of all preconstruction services including strategic team and resource alignment to ensure constructability, and efficient, cost-effective project outcomes. Travis began his career with GSWC in 2009 as a project developer before moving on to lead business development for MYR Group, where he focused on developing project opportunities for Transmission and Distribution. In 2018, he was promoted to regional manager for the western U.S. where he oversaw project operations. Travis truly believes in Great Southwestern’s mission, vision, and values and strives to improve brand value with new and existing clients throughout the T&D market. 

With nearly 20 years of industry experience, Travis is highly skilled at project estimation, budget administration, resource negotiations, and building strong client relations. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado and holds a certificate in construction management from Colorado State University. Travis has also attended the Center for Creative Leadership and Academy Leadership programs.

MARK HAMMONS

Regional Vice President

Mark came to GSWC in 2014 and spent five years as an operations manager overseeing the operations of all substation, transmission, and distribution work. In 2019 he was promoted to regional vice president responsible for the overall strategic growth and well-being of all operations, project management, safety, and customer relations. Prior to joining GSWC, Mark spent 20 years at various electrical construction companies in the roles of apprentice, substation technician, lineman, safety project coordinator, general foreman, superintendent, and operations manager.

In his nearly 30 years of electrical construction experience, Mark has developed a reputable background in substation management and direct client relationships with major utilities, engineers, and government entities. Supporting his comprehensive management training, he completed Northwest Lineman College and has high-voltage electrical licenses in New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Utah. He also holds certifications in high voltage terminations, energized hot sticking, and crane and forklift operations.

HEATH FERRELL

Regional Manager, Region 3

Heath, who was promoted to Great Southwestern’s regional manager in 2018, works on organically developing the company’s market presence throughout the eastern and southeastern U.S. He oversees all operations, safety compliance, as well as the strategic growth and stability of these markets. Heath began his career with Great Southwestern in 1999 as a transmission groundsman and worked his way up through the ranks as a journeyman lineman, foreman, general foreman, superintendent, operations manager, and now regional manager.

Throughout his tenure, Heath has demonstrated his leadership skills and commitment to quality managing a diverse range of transmission, substation, and distribution projects for utility and renewable energy clients. Supporting his more than 20 years of industry experience, Heath is a graduate of the Great Southwestern Construction Department of Labor certified apprenticeship program. He also holds numerous certifications in electrical processes, safety, and equipment operations.

RYAN LITTLE

Regional Manager, Region 2

In 2020, Ryan was promoted to Great Southwestern’s regional manager. As such, he is responsible for strategic planning and execution, as well as ensuring continuous improvement and operational efficiency to achieve financial and productivity goals across Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri. He believes in and prioritizes mentorship and employee development, as well as building excellent customer relations in accordance with GSW’s prominent safety culture. Ryan came to Great Southwestern in 2018 as a senior operations manager responsible for all aspects of transmission line operations. 

Prior to joining Great Southwestern, Ryan worked with the Davis H. Elliot Co. for nearly 25 years, rising through the ranks as a lineman, foreman, superintendent, and operations manager for transmission and substation projects. With more than 30 years of industry experience, Ryan has vast expertise in transmission, distribution, and substation construction and operations. He is a proud U.S. Army veteran who served in Kuwait, Desert Storm, and at the US Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He also holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Kentucky.

JOSH WHITELAW

Project Development

Josh has supported all aspects of project development since December 2016. In this role, he is responsible for managing cross-functional teams for EPC project requests, ensuring proposals are thorough, accurate, and presented on time. Additionally, Josh grows GSWC’s market presence by cultivating vendor and client relationships through a variety of channels such as meetings, events, and social media. He began his career with GSWC in 2013 as a substation groundsman apprentice in Colorado, working on multiple substation projects for Xcel Energy. In 2016, he worked as a transmission line apprentice, becoming a skilled wireman with expertise in heavy equipment operations and line construction. 

Supporting his more than ten years of industry experience, Josh completed GSWC’s substation technician-accredited apprenticeship program through Northwest Lineman College. He is a member of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) and holds certifications in electrical safety, leadership development, and heavy equipment operations.