Granite Construction Names Chief Operating Officer

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) — Granite Construction Inc. said Monday that its chief operating officer was retiring and would be replaced by a longtime company manager.

Mark E. Boitano retired effective Monday after 32 years with the company. He will be replaced Tuesday by James H. Roberts, who will also become executive vice president.

Roberts, 52, joined Granite in 1981 and has been an estimator, project, branch and regional manager. He was named senior vice president in 2004.

Granite, a civil contractor and producer of construction materials, also said it would reorganize its branch and regional operations under three operating groups, with functions including engineering falling under a fourth group. The company expects to complete the changes by Jan. 1.

Shares of Watsonville-based Granite fell 87 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $32.10.