Gold Mechanical plans leadership transition for start of 2027

The current president at Gold Mechanical Inc. says he will exit his role by year’s end.

Ron Bogart, who has worked at the Springfield-based mechanical contracting company since 2012, said Andrew Arthur, currently its vice president of service, will become president on Jan. 1, 2027. It’s a decision Bogart said was announced internally at the company earlier this year. Bogart, who also serves as CEO, said Arthur will initially begin as president only.

“He’s going to start out at the presidential role and then we’re going to allow him to earn the CEO title, and it’ll probably happen pretty quick,” said Bogart, adding that retirement is not in his plans and will he will chair Gold Mechanical’s Board of Directors for “at least probably the next five years.”

Arthur, who started with Gold Mechanical in 2015 and has been in his current role since 2024, said he’s excited about the leadership opportunity.

“I like challenges. I’ve got a military background, and I kind of like different changes,” he said, adding he was in the Missouri Air National Guard from 2006-18.

Arthur said the next few months will be a gradual transition to additional leadership responsibilities for him within the company.

“I’m still running the service department, but then, of course, Ron’s handoff is kind of day to day, different responsibilities and getting much more involved with the construction side,” he said.

Bogart, who became company president in 2014, said it was roughly a year-long process to make the leadership transition decision, along with board involvement. One of the motivators in the decision for Bogart was a health scare last year.

“A little over a year ago, I had open heart surgery,” he said. “When you come out of something like that, it kind of changes your view.”

Bogart said in that same year – 2025 – company revenue grew almost $10 million, an accomplishment for which he is quick to give credit to his employees.

“Now, having a team that can cover the business for you while you’re not there is one thing,” he said. “Having a team that can continue to grow the business while you’re not there, that’s a whole different level. So, I would put them up against anybody.”

Additionally, Bogart remains involved as a co-owner in his family’s business, natural skin care provider Jordan Essentials, which his wife, Nancy, founded.

“So, I’ve kind of got that going on too. I’m looking at all the whole landscape of this, and add into that, that Gold probably needs a kind of leadership different than what I’ve got,” he said, noting the leadership transition is what’s best for the company.

Bogart led the effort in 2014 to transition Gold Mechanical from a sole proprietorship to an employee stock ownership plan, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. 

Bogart said Arthur has been a direct report to him for the past five years, adding he’s been impressed by what he’s seen.

“During that period of time, his department has had the best retention, the best growth and the best profitability. That’s a pretty good resume,” Bogart said. “When you’re already working for the company and your department is killing it on every level, wouldn’t you want more of that on the whole organization?

“So, it’s kind of one of those ‘duh’ moments that we’re like, ‘Well, we’ve had the guy here all along,’” he added.

Gold Mechanical has been in growth mode in recent years, as officials say its revenue reached $69.7 million in 2025, a nearly 35% increase since 2023. Over that time span, the company’s staff size has also grown, finishing 2025 at 220 employees – a 64% jump from 2023. Gold Mechanical is among companies to be honored May 14 at Springfield Business Journal’s 2026 Dynamic Dozen ceremony, which recognizes the 12 fastest-growing companies in the Ozarks. At the ceremony, Bogart is also set to receive an individual honor, the Visionary Award. 

Arthur said he doesn’t anticipate the company’s rapid growth rate to continue in the short term.

“We grew really, really fast over the last few years, but specifically the last couple years,” he said. “I don’t think we need to get any bigger right now. We need to focus on the culture of the people and bringing the pieces together after that rapid growth to get as efficient as possible.”

That said, Arthur doesn’t expect the company is done hiring, as it currently has at least five openings it seeks to fill.

“We can always use more in the field,” he said. “Manpower is an up and down thing in this industry.”