Baxter & Woodman selects new leader after president/CEO plans retirement

CRYSTAL LAKE – Steve Larson, president and CEO of Crystal Lake-based Baxter & Woodman Consulting Engineers, plans to retire in mid-April.

Larson, a professional engineer who has worked with the firm for 42 years, was named president and CEO in 2009. Before that, he held several top positions at the company, including vice president and chief marketing officer. He was elected to Baxter & Woodman's board of directors in 1994. He is credited with mentoring key staff members, helping to grow the firm's client base and helping the company expand with an office in Will County, according to a news release.

Larson, 65, will be succeeded by John Ambrose. Ambrose serves on the firm's board and is treasurer of the corporation. He also is the regional manager responsible for business development for Baxter & Woodman's Chicago office.

"John is a relationship builder focused on making a positive difference through innovative engineering solutions," Larson said in a statement. "I'm confident that John will be a strong leader for Baxter & Woodman, and I look forward to working with him to transition the CEO role and to plan Baxter & Woodman's future."

Larson, who lived in Crystal Lake for 25 years, told the Northwest Herald "it was time to pass the baton." The company, he said, had been working on a transition plan for some time and he expected it to go smoothly.

"The company focus will not change when John takes over," he said. "The level of service we provide will stay the same."

Larson lives in Frankfurt.

Baxter & Woodman specializes in municipal engineering, transportation services, water and wastewater management, construction services and stormwater management. The company has served many of the municipal governments in McHenry County.