McCownGordon Construction Hires DEI Leader

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (October 21, 2020) – Willy F. Pegues IV joins McCownGordon today as the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion leader, bringing seasoned leadership to the company’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Pegues most recently led the Diversity and Inclusion efforts of a major local hospital for nearly five years. While he was in that role, the organization earned DiversityInc’s 2017 Top 12 Most Diverse Hospitals, KC Chamber 2020 Champion of Diversity Award, and the 2018, 2019 and 2020 Health Equity Index Leaders Designation.

“We’ve always been committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and hiring Willy allows us to take our initiatives to the next level and to engage more proactively with the community in advancing the region’s efforts in this area,” said Ramin Cherafat, chief executive officer of McCownGordon. “In addition to building on our existing initiatives, Willy will help us expand our efforts in both the civic and trade partner communities. We’re really excited about strengthening our capabilities and engaging more fully in this area.”   

As the Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Pegues will lead McCownGordon’s inclusion efforts both internally with associates and in the community. He’ll play an instrumental role in McCownGordon’s workforce development programs and focus on minority partner engagement, working with the M/WBE trade partners and organizations.

In addition to his background leading the diversity and inclusion efforts, Pegues’ experience includes leading operations for women’s health services and primary medicine for the hospital. He also brings a strong background in information technology and project management operations. Pegues serves in the United States Army National Guard, where he has nearly 30 years of service, beginning as a Private and now serving as Colonel and Brigade Commander. He’s earned a Bronze Star Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, Army Accommodation Medal and eight Army Reserve Components Achievements Medals for his outstanding service.

Pegues serves on the Boards of Nurture KC and Gilda’s House of Kansas City. He’s served as a KC Chamber Power Connections mentor and a consultant for High Aspirations. He was also named by the Kansas City Business Journal as a NextGen leader.