-->

Garney Appoints Mark Garrett as Firm’s First Chief People Officer

Garney chief people officer, Mark Garrett. Photo credit: Garney.

Posted May 21, 2025

Garney has named longtime Kansas City executive Mark Garrett as its first chief people officer.

Garrett brings decades of leadership experience in human resources and operations to his new role. He has held senior roles at Hallmark Cards, Farmland Foods, Smithfield Foods, and most recently, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.

Garrett will oversee Garney’s human resources, recruiting, employee relations, and training and development functions, according to a release Wednesday.

“I’m honored to join Garney as its first chief people officer,” Garrett said in the release. “This is a company with a clear sense of purpose and a strong foundation built by its employee-owners. I’m excited to support the people who make Garney what it is and to help shape the next chapter of its impact on the water industry.”

Garrett earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Kansas and an MBA from Baker University. He served on the boards of The Police Foundation of Kansas City, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, and the Kansas City Home Ownership Initiative. Garrett is also a former board chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.

Based in North Kansas City, Garney is a water and wastewater infrastructure firm that specializes in self-performing construction services. Founded in 1961, Garney is a wholly employee-owned company with 18 offices and 2,500 employee-owners nationwide.