Mario Azar leads Black & Veatch as its Chairman and CEO, bringing decades of hands-on experience to make big infrastructure projects smoother and faster. His story shows how steady leadership and smart ideas can transform tough engineering challenges into real successes for clients around the world.
Mario Azar started his career with a solid foundation in electrical engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1989. Right after, he joined Westinghouse Electric, where he spent 18 years in roles covering manufacturing, engineering, projects, and management across the USA, China, and Germany.
This time, he built his practical know-how in power systems and heavy industry. He later moved to Siemens, climbing to high roles like Executive Vice President for Power Generation Energy Solutions in the Americas. By 2013, he became Business Unit CEO for Oil & Gas and Marine at Siemens, leading teams in over 21 countries.
Path to Black & Veatch
In 2016, Mario stepped out to start his own firm, Citadel Business Management Consulting & Services, based in Orlando, Florida. He advised on energy and heavy industry for about two years. In late 2018, Black & Veatch brought him on as President of the Global Power Division.
He quickly joined the company’s Board and advanced through leadership roles. By 2021, he became President of Energy & Process Industries, then Chairman and CEO in August 2022. His move came at a key time, as the firm shifted focus to renewables and grid upgrades.
Leadership Style
Mario leads with a collaborative touch, always putting the client’s needs first. He focuses on building strong teams and fostering open talks to solve problems fast. His style mixes bold vision with everyday practicality, drawing from years on job sites and in boardrooms.
He pushes for innovation that fits real-world demands, like faster project delivery through better tech and teamwork. Colleagues note his calm approach during tough market shifts, keeping everyone aimed at shared goals. Mario speaks English, Arabic, French, and some German, which helps him connect globally.
Key Achievements
Under Mario’s watch, Black & Veatch has grown its reach in clean energy and resilient infrastructure. He spearheaded the power business’s pivot to renewables, grid modernization, and reliable systems that cut downtime. This has made projects more efficient, helping clients meet rising demands without waste.
His past wins include leading Siemens’ global oil, gas, and marine units across 21+ countries, where he streamlined operations. At Black & Veatch, he’s grown partnerships in power, mining, and process industries, boosting the firm’s role in megatrends like sustainability. These efforts have delivered faster builds and lower costs for vital projects worldwide.
| Power Division | Shift to renewables and grid tech | Faster growth in clean energy projects https://www.bv.com/about-us/leadership/mario-azar |
| Global Operations | Led teams in 21+ countries at Siemens | Streamlined engineering for complex sites https://www.linkedin.com/in/marioazar |
| Company Growth | Repositioned for megatrends | Stronger client ties and efficiency gains https://www.3blmedia.com/news/black-veatch-selects-mario-azar-new-chairman-and-ceo |
Personal Approach and Future
Mario stays grounded, valuing hard work and lifelong learning through programs at Babson College and NC State. He sees leadership as serving others, often crediting his teams for wins. Outside work, his multilingual skills and global travels shape a warm, inclusive view.
Looking ahead, Mario aims to keep Black & Veatch at the forefront of infrastructure that powers a better world. He plans deeper pushes into sustainable tech and partnerships that make projects quicker and greener. His focus remains on practical steps that ease construction challenges for generations.
