Guy Templeton has been named president and chief operating officer (COO) of the Asia/Australia-Pacific/Southern Africa operating company of Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global strategic consulting, engineering and program/construction management organization.
Templeton succeeds Chuck Kohler, who was appointed to the position in July 2011 on an interim basis. Kohler has been appointed group director of Operational Delivery for Balfour Beatty, Parsons Brinckerhoff's parent company.
In his new role, Templeton will oversee approximately 5,000 employees who work on hundreds of transportation, power, mining, water/wastewater and community development projects throughout Asia, the Australia-Pacific region, and southern Africa. He will be based in Sydney.
"Guy Templeton has demonstrated a consistent history of achievement and performance improvement across a number of industries, markets and countries," said George J. Pierson, president and chief executive officer of Parsons Brinckerhoff, in announcing Templeton's appointment. "His strong leadership capabilities and considerable management experience in the Asia/Australia-Pacific region will enable Parsons Brinckerhoff to continue to be a leading presence in these critical markets."
Templeton said: "I believe Parsons Brinckerhoff is a leader in its field. I look forward to working with my colleagues to help the company reach its full potential in this very exciting and diverse region."
Prior to joining Parsons Brinckerhoff, Templeton operated his own consulting firm, helping organizations in Australia and Asia improve their performance. He served as an advisor to WorleyParsons Ltd, a 35,000-person provider of services to the energy, resources, and complex process industries, leading simplification of the company's operations.
Templeton previously served as chief executive of Minter Ellison Lawyers, the largest law firm in the Asia Pacific region, whose specializations include infrastructure, energy and resources industries. He was a managing partner at PA Consulting Group, serving as global leader for the telecommunications and media practice, and as joint worldwide leader of the firm's private sector and strategy practices, from a base in Asia. He also held management and engineering positions at TNT and NEC and with an electricity utility and a telecommunications carrier.
Templeton received a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Technology, Sydney, and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of New South Wales. He has completed INSEAD's Advanced Management Program. He is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a former member of the Business Council of Australia, and contributes to several not-for-profit organizations focused on education.
