John R. Hewitt was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Company in May 2011. Mr. Hewitt has spent his entire career in the engineering, procurement, and construction industry. Prior to joining Matrix in May 2011, Mr. Hewitt worked for approximately 25 years for various operating businesses of Aker Solutions ASA (“Aker”) and its predecessor companies, which provide engineering and construction services, technology products, and integrated solutions to the energy and process industries worldwide. Up until his appointment with the Company, Mr. Hewitt served as Vice President of Aker Solutions, where he was responsible for providing executive oversight on major capital projects in the power and liquefied natural gas industries. He also served as President, United States Operations at Aker Solutions E&C US, Inc. from 2007 to 2009 where he was responsible for managing all construction services in North America. Prior to that, he served as President of Aker Construction Inc. where he had full profit and loss responsibility for a multi-disciplined direct hire industrial construction business operating throughout North America. Mr. Hewitt holds a finance degree from Stetson University and an engineering degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. Mr. Hewitt is a member of the board of directors of Junior Achievement of Oklahoma, the Tulsa Area United Way, the Tulsa Area Salvation Army and the Philbrook Museum of Art. Mr. Hewitt also serves as an executive board member of the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.
As the current President and CEO of the Company, Mr. Hewitt provides a management representative on the Board with extensive knowledge of day-to-day operations. As a result, he can facilitate the Board’s access to timely and relevant information and its oversight of management’s strategy, planning and performance. In addition, Mr. Hewitt brings to the Board considerable management and leadership experience, extensive knowledge of the energy industry and our business, and significant experience with mergers and acquisitions.
Kevin S. Cavanah
Chief Financial Officer
Kevin S. Cavanah has served as Chief Financial Officer since December, 2010. Mr. Cavanah served as Vice President, Accounting and Financial Reporting from August 2007 to December 2010 and as Controller from April 2003 to August 2007. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Cavanah served as an Accounting Manager for Williams Communications from 2001 to 2003 and as an Accounting Manager for The Williams Companies from 1998 to 2001. Prior to joining Williams Companies, Mr. Cavanah served as an Audit Manager for Ernst & Young LLP. Mr. Cavanah has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in Accounting from the University of Arkansas.
Shawn P. Payne
Chief Operating Officer
Shawn P. Payne was appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company in February 2026. He will assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer effective July 1, 2026.
Prior to these appointments, Mr. Payne, 53, was the President Engineering & Construction, Matrix Service Company. He previously served as President, Matrix Service Inc. Before that, he served in other leadership roles for Matrix Service including as Senior Vice President, Operations, Senior Vice President of Finance and Business Services, and Vice President of Business Services. Mr. Payne joined the Company in 2012 as the Division Manager in Tucson, AZ, leading the Company’s entry into the minerals and mining business. Prior to joining Matrix, Mr. Payne held leadership roles in operations, finance and project controls with Aker Solutions/Kvaerner, and Jacobs. Mr. Payne holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, in Finance, from the University of Arizona.
Nancy E. Austin
Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer
Nancy E. Austin is Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for Matrix Service Company, with responsibility for leading our Human Resources, Training and Development, and Corporate Marketing divisions. She previously served as Vice President, Strategic Services and Administration, with responsibility for these same areas.
Mrs. Austin served as Vice President, Human Resources, from January 2006 to August 2016 and as Director of Human Resources from September 2000 to January 2006. Prior to joining the Company, Mrs. Austin worked for TV Guide, Samson Resources and Villareal & Associates specializing in human resource management, employee relations, and consulting.
Mrs. Austin holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Oklahoma State University and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). She is also a member of the Society for Human Resources Management, World-at-Work and Tulsa Area Human Resources Association.
Justin D. Sheets
Vice President, Legal and Operations Services
Justin Sheets serves as Vice President, Legal and Operations Services. Prior to his current role, Mr. Sheets served as Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from October 2019 to July 2025 and as Vice President, Legal and Risk Management, from October 2014 to September 2019. Since joining Matrix Service Company in 2010, Mr. Sheets has served as Sr. Director, Legal and Risk Management; Director, Risk Management; and Sr. Counsel. Prior to Matrix Service Company, Mr. Sheets worked with Conway, McKenzie and Dunleavy in New York consulting with construction clients with a primary focus on mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and liquidations. Mr. Sheets holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health and Safety Sciences from Indiana State University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tulsa. Mr. Sheets has received his Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist certification. He is a member of the New Jersey Bar Association, Association of Corporate Counsel and the International Risk Management Institute.
