EUA names new CEO

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EUA, which has an office in Green Bay, announced that Kristin Dufek will become CEO, effective Aug. 1 as part of a planned leadership transition.

She currently serves as president and will hold both the CEO and president titles during the transition.

Current CEO Rich Tennessen will remain active as board chair as he moves into retirement at the end of 2027.

A 22-year veteran of EUA, Dufek brings nearly three decades of AEC industry experience and more than 15 years in leadership roles.

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“Kristin has been instrumental in shaping who we are today,” said Tennessen. “She leads with empathy, clarity and conviction, and I can’t think of a better person to guide EUA into its next chapter.”

Since joining the firm in 2003 as a healthcare architect and planner, Dufek has played a central role in EUA’s evolution. She helped establish and expand the firm’s healthcare practice and has since taken on firmwide leadership roles, including healthcare studio director, vice president and president. Dufek has helped grow EUA’s presence across all markets and geographies, working closely with leaders in each office to build strong teams and client relationships, and actively serves on several community boards.

“It’s an honor to step into this role and lead a firm I care deeply about,” said Dufek. “We’ve built something special at EUA—an environment rooted in a shared purpose to elevate people’s potential. I’m committed to growing our incredible talent across all five offices, deepening our expertise, and continuing to evolve to meet the needs of our clients and communities.”

Tennessen joined EUA in 1998, holding numerous leadership and business development roles before becoming president in 2011 and CEO in 2021. As board chair, Tennessen will remain actively engaged in shaping EUA’s strategic direction alongside Dufek and continuing to serve key clients and community partners. He will also remain involved in firmwide initiatives, such as EUA’s annual Beyond Design Bike Tour fundraiser for the Eppstein Uhen Tennessen Foundation.

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Under Tennessen’s tenure as CEO, EUA experienced significant growth, including a merger with Performa, Inc., which expanded EUA’s integrated engineering services and added new offices in Green Bay and Atlanta. He also served as a client executive on flagship projects across the firm’s portfolio and championed EUA’s presence in civic and community initiatives.

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