Meet the Team

I began my building enclosure career in the early nineties. Prior to settling in Texas, I worked on projects of all sizes in California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Illinois, and Michigan. I started my career in the field as an apprentice and gradually worked my way from the field through almost every management position in the construction industry. Having been exposed to numerous different management styles and strategies on how to run a job, I always hoped for an opportunity to be in the driver’s seat myself.

That opportunity came in 2014 when I was approached by Alec McDougall to partner with him and form Engineered Wall Systems Texas. Since that day, we have grown EWS Texas from a small 3-man shop to a multimillion-dollar company with projects in multiple states. When I’m not staring at shop drawings, I try to spend my free time with my wife Jessica or our children Travis, Caleb, and Taylor. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and watching my daughter play volleyball.

After serving in the US Army during Desert Shield and Desert Storm, I followed in my father’s footsteps and joined the United Association of Plumbers and Steamfitters. Having worked in the MEP trades as an installer, inspector, and superintendent, I decided to hang up my hard hat and wear a suit and tie instead. I decided to use the network of friends and coworkers that I developed while traveling across the world for over 25 years and get into the world of Business Development.

I was the 1st employee at Engineered Wall Systems Texas and have been integral in helping the team grow to over 65 full-time team members. I was recently promoted to Vice President of Sales and continue to help the company grow. When I am not hunting, you can find me on my small farm in Decatur with my wife Ange and our kids Bleu and Cian.

Upon graduating from high school in Florida, I decided to pack my bags and move to Texas to attend the University of Texas at Arlington. While enrolled in college, I began working in the building enclosure industry as a project coordinator and QA/QC inspector. While in college, I played for the school’s hockey team and was an active member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

After graduating from college with a Bachelor’s degree, I was promoted to the project manager position where I managed projects varying in size from $100k to $4 million. I was then promoted to Operations Manager where I oversaw the ongoing daily activities involved with our manpower and operations.

In 2019, I was promoted to Vice President where I utilize all the experience from previous roles and responsibilities to ensure that Engineered Wall Systems Texas continues to be a leading building enclosure subcontractor. When I am able to get away from EWS Texas, I enjoy spending time riding and racing my dirt bike around the state.

Alec McDougall started at John W. McDougall Company in 1988 and has worked almost every job imaginable in the organization. Through the mentoring from his dad and his uncle, he learned from experience and hard work what it took to be successful. Through the years he has taken opportunities to start up additional architectural enclosure companies with operational partners in Houston (2007), Dallas (2014), Salt Lake City (2003), Chicago (2015), and New York (2017)*(Atlanta was already in place in 1983).

He was able to leverage McDougall’s experience, technology, software, and back office to support to enable and to build these families of companies and become aggregately one of the largest architectural contractors in the country. He is currently CEO of these six companies and primarily works with each company on strategy, capital allocations, and brand building.

Shawn started his career working in the field as an apprentice and over the years has worked his way through just about every position possible. He has installed panels, run crews as a foreman, and projects as a superintendent. He moved to project management several years ago. He brings a wealth of practical hands-on experience from his many years of working in the field. This experience is shared with the project managers that work with him and the superintendents on our many projects, making all of us better at what we do.

As Director of Field Operations, Shawn oversees our project management team and is actively involved with all of our projects. More importantly, he becomes intimately involved with problem-solving on our more difficult and complicated work. Shawn’s extensive knowledge of our panel systems and his ability to look at things from a field perspective gives us a better ability to look ahead and avoid problems before they become serious challenges. His willingness to get his hands dirty and wade into a problem helps us more quickly resolve issues that we do encounter.

I joined the Army in 1986, straight out of high school, and retired in 2012 as a Master Sergeant. During my 26 years of service, I served as a Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and First Sergeant. I had multiple combat deployments totaling 30 months with duty stations all over the world. I served as a safety NCO for several different platforms of helicopters. In 2018 I became the Safety Manager for EWS Texas.

I am OSHA certified and a certified instructor for OSHA 10/30. I am also a Certified Safety Manager, through the National Association of Safety Professionals. I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health/Construction Safety. I am a member of The National Society of Leadership and Success. My future goal is to attend Georgia Tech and receive a master’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health/Construction Safety. Keeping everyone safe and teaching them to think safely is a great passion of mine. During my off time I enjoy exploring lakes in our boat with my wife of 13 years, Kristen, and spending time with my family, along with our two dogs, Harley and Tito.

I first came to EWS Texas in 2020 as the Procurement Manager, and in 2022, I accepted the position of HR Manager. Most recently I have been promoted to my current position as the Director of Administration.

My career background, which spans 22 years, consists primarily of Purchasing and HR Management in the oil and gas industry. My previous experience allows me to think strategically about the goals for our company, streamline processes, and effectively communicate with employees.

I am passionate about helping people in any way I can, celebrating their accomplishments, and encouraging them to be their best. I also strive to facilitate an environment that is welcoming and comfortable, so that each employee knows they are appreciated and necessary in order for our company to operate.

Outside of work, you can find me spending time together with my family and friends. If I’m not in the stands at one of my children’s sporting events, I’m either at the gym, listening to live music, or baking.