Our Team | Burke & Company, LLC

ELIZABETH M. BURKE

President/CEO

Elizabeth (Liz) Burke is responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of Burke & Company, LLC, overseeing fiscal performance, operations, and long-term planning. As the key driving force behind the company’s growth and innovation, Liz became majority owner in 2019 and has been instrumental in fostering a culture rooted in integrity and excellence.

With over 30 years of leadership experience in finance, accounting, risk management, and operations, Liz joined the company in 2011 as General Manager of McCarl’s Preferred Services. Her strategic vision and collaborative leadership style led to a series of promotions, culminating in her current role as President.

Liz is passionate about inclusive leadership, workplace safety, and empowering her team to succeed. She actively mentors women in the mechanical industry and champions initiatives that foster inclusivity and continuous improvement. In addition to her professional achievements, Liz serves on multiple industry boards, volunteers with The Greg and Kathy Griffith Family Foundation, and sits on the Kish Bank Blair County Regional Advisory Board. She also supports and sponsors numerous charitable organizations, encouraging her employees to engage in community service.

Liz lives in Altoona with her husband, Josh, and has four children.

SHAWN P. MCCARL

Minority Owner

Shawn purchased the Altoona Division of McCarl’s, Inc. in 1996, continuing the legacy his father began when he founded the business in 1946. A licensed plumber with over 40 years of experience in the mechanical contracting industry, Shawn brought deep knowledge of all aspects of the business, including field operations. His leadership and perspective were instrumental in shaping the organization. Though he has since moved on from day-to-day involvement, Shawn remains a valued minority owner, and his influence continues to be felt throughout the company.

JOE TERZA

Vice President of Construction Operations/QAQC

Joe Terza leads the construction field, shops, and service operations for Burke & Company. He also manages purchasing and serves as QAQC Manager for the company’s ASME code operations. With more than 30 years of experience across every area of the mechanical construction industry, Joe has been part of S. P. McCarl since its inception, contributing his expertise in purchasing, estimating, planning, and management.

Joe is a graduate of Penn State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Art Education with a minor in Art History. He has continued his professional development through various leadership programs, ASME Code certifications, and the MCAA Project Managers Institute.

Known for fostering teamwork, integrity, and passion, Joe sets the standard for excellence across his teams. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his family and supporting Penn State Men’s and Women’s Volleyball as well as the Pittsburgh Penguins.

JENNIFER GREGORY

CPA, Controller

Jennifer is a Certified Public Accountant and a graduate of West Virginia University who has 8 years experience in public accounting and 25 years experience in the private sector with a concentration in Construction Accounting. Jennifer leads our Accounting department and successfully meets the demands of our outside auditors, banking, and bonding requirements. Jennifer makes continuing education a priority to ensure the best outcomes for the company. She gives freely of her time to charitable organizations and most recently has been an integral part of the Griffith Family Foundation’s Sideline Cancer Golf outing. She also currently serves as treasurer for MCA of Western PA Women in the Mechanical Industry.

DAVID DODSON

Safety Director

David came to S.P. McCarl & Company with a diverse background in safety as well as operations. He is a Penn State University graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice. He holds several industry certifications including Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Project Management Professional (PMP). To stay up to date with safety trends, he likes to attend various conferences, webinars, and is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Professionals. David enjoys being active in the community and is a past board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair county and of Jaffa Shriners where he remains active and is a proud supporter of Shriners Children’s. David is a lifelong resident of Blair County and currently resides in Duncansville with his wife Traci and daughter Alexis.

DAVE HESS II

State College Branch Manager

Dave Hess has been involved in Scouting for 55 years, beginning as a Cub Scout and continuing throughout his adult life by serving the community through Scouting America in various roles. While raising four children, Dave has also prioritized continuing education to stay at the forefront of his field.

With more than 45 years of experience in the plumbing and HVAC industry, Dave has witnessed significant technological advancements over the course of his career. He is a Master Plumber for both the City of Altoona and the State of West Virginia. Before joining the McCarl team, he co-owned a plumbing and HVAC service business for 20 years.

Dave has successfully led the service division and, perhaps most notably, has served as a mentor to many throughout his career. He currently works as a Senior Project Manager in the JOC department for Penn State University through the State College office. In addition to his professional work, Dave serves on the local district Eagle Scout Board of Review, the Code Board of Review for the City of Altoona, and remains active in his church.

Kevin Laird

Director of Business Development

Kevin is the Director of Business Development, bringing a focus on building lasting relationships, identifying strategic partnerships, and driving growth opportunities. He works closely with clients to discover challenges they are facing and establishes solutions that the company can offer. He is a Penn State University graduate with a Bachelor of Communications degree. Kevin is active in the community with over 10 years of basketball officiating experience, youth baseball coaching, a member of Kiwanis of Blair County, Leadership Blair County, Special Olympics Central PA, and others. He resides in Altoona with his wife, son, and two dogs.

Chris McCarl

Preconstruction Director

Chris leads the estimating department and is responsible for making bid/no-bid determinations, managing the bid schedule, ensuring quality and competitive estimates are submitted, and procuring work for the company. He has been in the industry for over 10 years and has experience as an estimator, project engineer, and project manager. Chris is a proud graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He serves as a management trustee on the Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 354 Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee. He is also a graduate of MCAA’s Institute for Project Management and Dale Carnegie’s leadership course. Outside of work, Chris enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and learning to speak Haitian Creole. He lives in the Pittsburgh area with his wife Jess.