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Bedminster-based SOCO Construction is heading into its next chapter with new leadership at the helm.

The employee-owned commercial contractor announced a shift in roles for Matthew Lorenzo, Seth Levy and Bradley Smith May 23. Over more than 20 years the trio has built the former Sordoni Construction Co. from a small team into a regional construction management firm.

Moving forward, Lorenzo – who has held leadership roles since SOCO’s founding – will transition to senior advisor and board member. Levy will now serve as president and CEO, while Smith becomes executive vice president and COO.

According to the company’s announcement, the changes reflect on ongoing transition as well as ongoing team alignment. “We’re still who we are,” commented Levy. “We’re going to continue doing exactly what we’ve been doing.”

When the business transitioned to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Lorenzo saw development as a natural turning point for further evolution. Identifying establishing SOCO as an ESOP as an early goal, he commented, “Once we established the ESOP and saw it working the way we hoped, it felt like the right time for the next step.”

‘New energy’

The shift to employee ownership has also affected the team outside of its leadership ranks.

“It works for both the employees and the clients,” Smith said. “When people feel ownership, they are more invested. That changes how we work together and how we deliver.”

Looking ahead, Levy and Smith will continue to focus on consistency and forward momentum, according to SOCO. The company noted that the guidance of the trio helped forge that path ahead. Before these updates, Lorenzo served as president and CEO; Levy as COO and executive vice president; and Smith as senior vice president.

Describing SOCO’s future in one word, Smith offered “opportunity,” Levy said “partnership,” and Lorenzo chose “entrepreneurial,” the company said.

Lorenzo added the leadership transition serves as an extension of what has defined SOCO over the years. “It keeps who we are. It maintains the integrity of what we’ve built over the last several decades,” he said. “With Seth and Brad stepping into these roles, there’s new energy that will carry us forward.”