LB CEO Role to Transition From Stephan to Rupe

Denver, Colorado-headquartered technical consulting firm Lerch Bates Inc. (LB) announced on October 13 current LB President Eric Rupe will succeed Bart Stephan as CEO. The news comes after Stephan announced in a companywide meeting earlier this month that he is retiring, effective January 1, 2024, after 19 years at LB. He has led the company since 2004, when he was named CEO by his predecessor, Chuck Olsen. After an extensive internal and external search, LB Board of Directors (BoD) unanimously selected Rupe, observing he has worked closely with Stephan and Chief Financial Officer John Arther in various roles in the organization. Rupe will be only the fifth CEO in the company’s 75-year history. Thanking Stephan for his industry contributions and leadership, BoD spokesman Don Evans said his “impact will endure for many years to come.” Of Rupe, Evans said: “Much like his predecessors — Charles Lerch, V. Quentin Bates, Chuck Olsen and Bart Stephan — [his] name is synonymous with the LB legacy of unparalleled client service and trusted technical expertise.”