Sandman named CEO of Buckner HeavyLift Cranes

Buckner HeavyLift Cranes has appointed Christopher Sandman as Chief Executive Officer, marking a pivotal step as the company enters its next phase of strategic growth, the company said.

A seasoned senior executive with leadership experience in the industrials sector, Sandman brings a proven track record in driving strategic transformation, innovation, and organizational growth, according to a Buckner press release. His leadership experience spans operational excellence, strategy, engineering, and sustainability, making him uniquely qualified to lead Buckner – building on the company’s legacy and strengthening its position as the go-to partner for heavy lift solutions.

Christopher Sandman, Chief Executive Officer, Buckner HeavyLift

 “What drew me to Buckner is the people – the depth of knowledge, tenure, and grit across this team,” said Sandman. “There’s a passion here that’s rare in any industry. It’s clear this is more than a company, it’s a family. And now, we’re sharpening our strategy and laying the groundwork for our next chapter as the heavy lift industry leader.”

Sandman holds an engineering degree from Stanford University and an MBA from Emory University, combining technical insight with strategic vision. Under Sandman’s leadership, Buckner is aligning operational strategy with a forward-looking vision – continuing to enhance fleet capabilities and reinforcing its position as an industry leader in uptime, safety, and fleet quality to meet the demands of complex, large-scale projects across key sectors.

 For decades, Buckner HeavyLift Cranes has set the standard for excellence in the crane and rigging industry, earning a reputation built on complex lifts, mission-critical projects, and one of the largest fleets of crawler cranes in North America, the company said. From stadiums to wind, Buckner is the trusted partner behind some of the most iconic and technically demanding builds in the world.

 “I am confident that Christopher’s leadership of our talented Buckner Team sets us up for another long stretch of high-level performance and industry leadership,” said Doug Williams, Chairman of Buckner HeavyLift Cranes.

 Sandman officially began his role in July and is working alongside leadership to drive key strategic initiatives and reinforce Buckner’s position as an industry leader.

With over 75 years of experience, Buckner HeavyLift Cranes is a national leader in crane and rigging services, trusted for its expertise, people-first culture, and proven ability to execute the most challenging heavy lift projects. As a partner to the infrastructure, energy, industrial, and space sectors, Buckner delivers with precision, safety, and strength, the company said.