Robert Knochenhauer recently retired from McCarthy Building Companies as senior vice president of the Water Services team after serving the company for four decades. He was responsible for all aspects of the Southwest division’s water/wastewater treatment plant projects and served as team lead on some of the largest and most complex projects in Arizona and beyond.

Under Knochenhauer’s leadership, the Water Services team won numerous awards for its work, including the prestigious 2008 National Design-Build Award from the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) in the “water/wastewater over $15 million” category for the Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant in Phoenix. His vast project experience has garnered him the nickname of “Big Job Bob.” His project highlights include:

  • Lake Pleasant Water Treatment Plant, Phoenix: $215M, 80 mgd water treatment plant
  • Greenfield Water Reclamation Plant, Gilbert: $148.4M, sewage treatment plant expansion
  • ADOA 4,000 Public Prison Beds, Phoenix, Tucson and Yuma: $175M, new 4,000 bed prison expansion at Perryville, Tucson and Yuma prison facilities

As a third-generation Knochenhauer in the construction industry, he followed in his grandfather and father’s footsteps. His father, the late Lloyd Knochenhauer, started TGK Construction Co. in New York in 1944, then moved it to Phoenix in 1950. Bob joined TGK in 1972 as a carpenter, moving his way up to superintendent and project manager after McCarthy bought the company.

Knochenhauer worked closely with Frank Scopetti prior to his departure at McCarthy. Scopetti is now the new senior vice president of the Water Services team and has three decades of experience working in the industrial mechanical construction field. He previously served as vice president of mechanical services at McCarthy.