PBN Leaders & Achievers Awards 2026
GORDON ZANIOL
Shawmut Design and Construction project executive
Since 2014, Gordon Zaniol has played a critical role in the success of Shawmut Design and Construction in Providence, where he oversees some of Rhode Island’s most significant educational and community-focused construction work.
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Zaniol is especially proud of his role in helping to establish Shawmut as a leader in K-12 construction, explaining “that growth didn’t happen because we pursued projects – it happened because we consistently delivered for our clients and communities.”
During his tenure, Zaniol has played a central part in expanding Shawmut’s K-12 portfolio, which now spans seven school districts across 16 individual school projects, impacting thousands of students, teachers, families and communities across the state.
Demonstrating credibility is a critical component of Zaniol’s performance as a leader and achiever.
“When people know you care about doing the right thing and delivering on your commitments, they’re willing to work together and consistently deliver exceptional results,” he said.
One of Zaniol’s core strengths is leading large, multidisciplinary teams and delivering complex projects in highly sensitive, occupied environments. His approach is “to create an environment where people feel supported, valued and motivated to perform at their highest level.”
That strategy even applies to including input from students most impacted by their school’s construction. While implementing a project at Elizabeth Baldwin Elementary School in Pawtucket, Zaniol asked students to illustrate how they saw their future school. The results contributed to the planning process and were displayed around the construction site.
Zaniol also believes strongly in discussing career opportunities in construction and the trade industry with students.
“Every school we build gives us a chance to engage students, introduce them to careers in construction and show them how these projects are improving their own communities,” he said. “That’s something I’m passionate about because investing in education isn’t just about the buildings we leave behind – it’s about investing in the people who will shape Rhode Island’s future.”
