ST. LOUIS, MO. (Oct. 27, 2026) — NewGround, a leading design-build firm headquartered in downtown Clayton, has announced the appointment of its new executive leadership team. Paul Courter has been named President and Chief Executive Officer, Pat Williams has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, and Mike Crane will serve as Chief Operating Officer. Together, the three leaders operate as partners and owners of NewGround, bringing a unified vision for the company’s future growth and success.
The leadership transition marks a significant milestone in NewGround’s 113-year history. “As we move forward, our priority is to strengthen the way we work together, invest in our people and continue delivering meaningful results for our clients,” Paul continued. “I’m excited about what we can accomplish together.”
Paul brings extensive financial and strategic leadership experience to his new role. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer and now President and CEO. A St. Louis native, Paul earned degrees from Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Notre Dame. Before joining NewGround, he spent 14 years at Ernst & Young, developing expertise in financial management and strategic decision-making.
As Chief Financial Officer, Pat Williams brings experience in financial strategy, business transformation, and operational improvement. He holds a Master of Accountancy from the University of Missouri, Columbia, and began his career at Ernst & Young, where he first met Paul. Pat later supported strategic initiatives and business transformation at Centene Corporation. Since joining NewGround, he has helped build and strengthen the company’s financial foundation, most recently as Senior Vice President of Finance.
As Chief Operating Officer, Mike Crane brings extensive experience in project management, operations, and leadership. Before joining NewGround, 6 years ago, he served as Senior Vice President of Project Development at JLL. He earned degrees from the United States Military Academy at West Point and the University of Illinois Chicago. Mike also served as a Captain in the U.S. Army. Drawing on his background in project delivery, he will focus on strengthening collaboration across NewGround’s strategy, design, interiors, and build departments while delivering a consistent client experience.
Together, the executive leadership team will prioritize organizational efficiency, explore emerging technologies, and continue their investment in NewGround’s people.
About NewGround
NewGround is a design-build firm specializing in strategy, design, construction, and interiors. Since 1913, NewGround has partnered with financial institutions to create environments that connect people, place, and culture. With an integrated team and more than a century of experience, NewGround helps clients build better spaces for their community.