MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Barr Engineering Co. announces that Nick Nelson, a Vice President and Senior Environmental Consultant at Barr, has assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO), succeeding Greg Keil, who stepped down from the position following 37 years with the company.

Nelson brings to the COO position more than 20 years of experience with Barr. “Barr will benefit from Nick’s experience and leadership as our new COO,” said President and CEO Ward Swanson. “Nick deeply understands our company and will help us remain efficient and effective as we work together to solve our clients’ complex challenges.”

At Barr, Nelson has worked across all business units and held a range of leadership roles, while also serving as an advisor to numerous clients. He has been a member of Barr’s board of directors and is stepping down from the board as he becomes COO.

Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering from Notre Dame and a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law. His external leadership roles include serving on the board of directors for SharePoint Credit Union and for Summit Dental.

Keil, who has been working with Nelson since August to support the transition, plans to remain with Barr, working on client projects and serving as a member of the board of directors. “Greg leaves the COO position with a powerful legacy of good governance, strong financial management, and fine-tuned systems and processes," Swanson said. "I can’t thank Greg enough for his leadership, and I’m looking forward to working with Nick in his new role.”