Rob Larry
Vice President, Contract Management

Motto: “Choose the type of work you love to do with people you enjoy being with and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Purdue University and furthered my education by earning an MBA with a specialization in finance from the University of Chicago. My academic background paved the way for a successful career in finance and accounting. Beginning my professional journey at a prominent public accounting firm, I progressively advanced to the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Sims Metal Management Inc., where I dedicated 18 years of service until 2014. In 2015, I seized the opportunity to join Sterling as CFO, drawn to the prospect of leveraging my expertise in finance and accounting in support of Sterling’s aspiration for significant growth while exploring new avenues for me within the organization. Seeking a shift from the traditional CFO role, I embarked on a journey to expand my scope and contribute to various aspects of the business beyond finance and accounting. By 2019, Sterling appointed a new CFO, affording me the opportunity to transition my focus toward managing contracts for our commercial and construction operations and oversight for billing team. Over the past five years, I have played a pivotal role in streamlining and professionalizing these aspects of the business, driving integration efforts, and contributing to its growth and maturity.

My leadership philosophy revolves around establishing clear objectives through a collaborative team approach, ensuring alignment toward a common goal. It is imperative to cultivate a culture where every team member understands the collective nature of our efforts and acknowledges that success is contingent upon unified action. Furthermore, I emphasize transparency and accountability within the team, encouraging open communication and constructive feedback. Mistakes are inevitable, and rather than concealing or disregarding them, I advocate for addressing them promptly, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and learning.

I believe Sterling is strategically positioned in the current landscape, poised to capitalize on the very important energy transition. The imperative shift towards sustainable energy sources is gaining widespread recognition, necessitating extensive construction efforts to facilitate the transition from fossil fuel-based energy to electricity, and eventually, to green electricity. This monumental undertaking will require significant financial investment and extensive construction activities, many of which will rely on the products and services provided by our company. I am confident that Sterling’s offerings are aligned with the demands of this transformative period, and the company’s contributions are increasingly acknowledged within the industry.