Southland Industries Names Three Business Development Vice Presidents and a New Philadelphia Division Leader

DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Southland Industries today named Justin Herzing, Jake Popkin, and Mohammed Yassin vice presidents of business development. The company also named Sean Brooks Philadelphia division leader. The appointments took effect in early October.

In their new roles, Herzing, Popkin, and Yassin will lead business development and work acquisition for Southland Industries in their respective regions and vertical markets. Their responsibilities include growing existing client relationships, pursuing new projects, and building Southland’s presence in priority markets.

• Justin Herzing will lead business development for the east region, working closely with partners to solve complex engineering and construction challenges while also supporting Southland’s national strategy in the mission critical market. With 16 years of experience spanning design engineering, project management, preconstruction, and business development, he has held roles including design engineer, project manager, and preconstruction executive.
• Jake Popkin will lead business development for the central region while also supporting Southland's national strategy in healthcare and other markets that shape local communities, including airports, sports and entertainment, higher education, and federal markets. Popkin has 11 years of experience in engineering, preconstruction, and business development and first joined Southland as an intern.
• Mohammed Yassin will lead business development for the west region and also guide the company’s national strategy in the manufacturing market. Yassin spent the first 17 years of his career in operations, progressing from project engineer all the way to project executive and previously led Southland’s life sciences market strategy.

Brooks will oversee Southland Industries’ operations and business in the Greater Philadelphia area. He joined Southland Industries in 2017 and has more than 20 years of experience in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry in the Philadelphia region.

The appointments come as Southland Industries expands its capabilities and geographic reach across priority sectors like healthcare, data centers, and manufacturing. These leadership appointments will build upon the company’s established approach while supporting the quality, consistency, and client experience that Southland is known for.

“As our clients take on more complicated projects across markets, having leaders who understand both their regional needs and the broader national resources available to them is increasingly important,” said Tim Michael, Regional President. “These individuals bring the experience and perspective to anticipate those needs and create new opportunities for our business.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Southland Industries’ new vice presidents of business development?

Southland Industries appointed Justin Herzing, Jake Popkin, and Mohammed Yassin as vice presidents of business development. They lead business development and work acquisition efforts in their regions, with Herzing leading the east region, Popkin leading the central region, and Yassin leading the west region.

Who is the Philadelphia Division Leader for Southland Industries?

Sean Brooks is Southland Industries’ Philadelphia division leader. He joined the company in 2017, has more than 20 years of AEC industry experience in the Philadelphia region, and oversees Southland Industries’ operations and business in the Greater Philadelphia area.

About Southland

As an MEP building systems expert, Southland Industries provides integrated, full lifecycle solutions that optimize the design, construction, operation, and efficiency of buildings. Through collaborative partnerships with our clients and the collective expertise of our people, we create premier built environments and future-ready spaces where communities and businesses can thrive.