Idaho-based North Wind Group recently announced the death of its President and CEO Richard Driggs followed by the appointment of an interim CEO, John Bukowski.
“It is with profound sadness that North Wind Group shares the passing of our President and CEO, Rich Driggs,” North Wind Group announced online Aug. 18.
“Rich was a valued colleague and friend who had a meaningful impact on North Wind and the people who had the privilege of working alongside him,” the company said. “His contributions will not be forgotten.”
“Rich will be greatly missed,” North Wind said. “Our deepest condolences go to Rich’s family, friends, and loved ones. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts during this difficult time.”
The news release did not list Driggs age, or cause of death. Driggs became North Wind CEO less than three years ago, coming to the company after serving as chief operating officer of Michael Baker International, a civil engineering company.
Driggs succeeded Christopher Leichtweis, who had spent more than a decade as North Wind CEO.
Bukowski, who is being appointed acting president and CEO, has most recently been chief operating officer at North Wind Group, according to his online bio.
“John brings more than 32 years of industry experience and has been a valued leader within North Wind Group for over 26 years,” North Wind said in a Wednesday news release. “His deep knowledge of our business, commitment to our mission, and steady leadership will help provide continuity and stability as we move forward together.”
Before joining North Wind, Bukowski was a senior scientist at Parsons Corp.
North wind is a subsidiary of Cook Inland Region Inc., an Alaskan Native regional corporation, and is a frequently-used contractor around the Department of Energy’s nuclear complex.
North Wind does remediation work at the Moab uranium mill tailings project in Utah, the DOE’s Energy Technology Engineering Center Site in Southern California, among other projects, according to a contract summary for DOE’s Office of Environmental Management.
