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Kirk Kistner: A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation in the AEC Industry

With a remarkable career spanning over 40 years in the AEC industry, Kirk Kistner stands as a beacon of expertise and leadership. His vast experience encompasses ownership succession, strategic planning, marketing, business development, and client-centric innovation planning. Kirk’s journey began in the very heart of the AEC world, growing up immersed in the industry. This deep-rooted connection laid the foundation for his influential role at Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, one of the largest commercial building contractors in Texas, where he ascended to the C-Suite and served on the board of directors for both the construction company and its employee-owned holding companies.

 

Kirk's impact at Bartlett Cocke has been profound. He has masterfully guided the company through three major management successions, orchestrating seamless transitions at the President, CEO, and Chairman levels. His strategic vision also shaped the succession planning for the Bartlett Cocke Holding Company Board of Managers and the Bartlett Cocke General Contractors Board of Directors, while spearheading the leadership succession and reorganization of the Marketing and Business Development Department leading up to his retirement.

 

Beyond his corporate achievements, Kirk has been a dynamic leader in industry associations. His leadership roles include serving on boards of the Associated Builders and Contractors South Texas Chapter, Central Texas Chapter, and Texas Chapter, as well as the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) Austin and San Antonio Chapters, and the A4LE Southern Region.

 

Kirk’s commitment to his community is equally impressive. He has contributed his expertise to the City of New Braunfels 4B Economic Development Board, the River Activities Committee, the Comal Independent School District Bond Advisory Committee, the Texas A&M University-San Antonio Foundation Board, the Alamo Colleges Foundation Mosaico Planning Committee, the North San Antonio Chamber Board of Directors, and the Greater San Antonio Chamber Board of Directors.

 

Kirk Kistner’s legacy is one of visionary leadership, strategic innovation, and unwavering dedication to both the AEC industry and his community. His story is not just about professional success; it's about a lifelong commitment to making a lasting impact on the people and organizations he has served.

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Kirk has attained a bachelor’s degree in building construction from Texas A&M University, has achieved his Certification in Professional Services Marketing (CPSM), and is American Concrete Institute Level 1 Concrete Testing Certified.

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Geoff Westmoreland, CPA

gwestmoreland@aecpathfinders.com

Fractional CFO | Financial Operations Strategist | Accounting Department Transformation Leader

At AEC Pathfinders, we believe strong financial leadership is one of the most overlooked drivers of firm value in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. That’s why we are excited to welcome Geoff Westmoreland, CPA, as our newest Fractional CFO and Financial Operations Advisor.

 

With more than 25 years of executive financial leadership experience, Geoff brings a unique combination of strategic insight, operational discipline, and hands-on accounting leadership specifically aligned with the needs of growing AEC firms.

 

What Geoff Helps AEC Firms Achieve

Many AEC firms reach a critical point where growth begins to outpace their internal financial systems.

 

Owners and executives often find themselves asking:

  • Can we trust our numbers?

  • Why does month-end reporting take so long?

  • Are our project financials helping us make better decisions?

  • Is our accounting department structured for growth?

  • Are we building enterprise value — or just generating revenue?

 

Geoff specializes in helping firms answer those questions with clarity and confidence.

His work focuses on transforming accounting departments from transactional back-office functions into strategic business units that improve decision-making, strengthen cash flow, reduce risk, and increase long-term firm value.

Geoff’s Areas of Expertise

Financial Leadership & CFO Advisory

Geoff serves as a trusted financial advisor to owners, CEOs, Presidents, and Boards of Directors by providing:

  • Strategic financial planning

  • Cash flow forecasting

  • Budgeting and forecasting systems

  • Banking and lender relationships

  • Internal financial reporting

  • KPI dashboards and management reporting

  • Risk management and internal controls

  • M&A and ownership transition support

 

Accounting Department Transformation

Geoff helps AEC firms organize and elevate their accounting operations through:

  • Accounting department assessments

  • Organizational restructuring 

  • Process improvement

  • Financial close acceleration

  • Job cost accounting improvements

  • Internal control development

  • Accounts payable and receivable optimization

  • Payroll process oversight

  • Staffing structure and team development

 

Enterprise Value Creation

Geoff understands that sophisticated financial operations directly impact valuation, succession readiness, and ownership transition success.
 

He assists firms in:

  • Building clean, reliable financial reporting

  • Increasing operational transparency

  • Improving profitability visibility

  • Enhancing lender and surety confidence

  • Creating scalable financial systems

  • Preparing firms for transition, acquisition, or recapitalization

 

 

Proven Executive Experience

Geoff has served as CFO, Controller, and senior financial executive for private equity-backed companies, construction-related businesses, and multi-location organizations. His experience includes:

  • CFO leadership for national construction and landscaping operations

  • Financial oversight for multi-state and multinational organizations

  • Financial statement cleanup and restructuring initiatives

  • Due diligence and acquisition integration

  • Building and leading high-performing accounting teams

  • Supporting successful company sales and ownership transitions

 

In addition, to his executive leadership roles, Geoff spent over 10 years with Ernst & Young, including international experience supporting U.S.-based companies operating in Mexico.

Why This Matters for AEC Firms

In today’s market, AEC firms cannot rely solely on backlog and relationships to create lasting value.

 

The firms that will thrive over the next decade are the ones that:

  • Produce accurate and timely financial information

  • Understand project profitability in real time

  • Create disciplined operational systems

  • Develop leadership accountability

  • Build organizations that are not dependent on one owner

 

Geoff helps firms build that financial foundation.

 

AEC Pathfinders + Geoff Westmoreland

Together, AEC Pathfinders and Geoff Westmoreland provide executive leadership teams with a powerful combination of:

  • Strategic growth advisory

  • Succession and ownership transition planning

  • Governance and board development

  • Executive coaching

  • Financial leadership and accounting transformation

 

The result is a stronger, more valuable, more sustainable AEC firm.

Who We Are

AEC Pathfinders is committed to building resilience, guiding our clients towards a bold, future-oriented vision, and providing insightful guidance through uncertainty. Our mission is to equip AEC firms with the tools to embrace adaptability and innovation, providing creative strategies and forward-thinking solutions that pave the way for generations to come. We are more than consultants; we are partners in building a resilient, adaptable, and visionary AEC community in Texas.

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