On November 22, 2019, AECOM announced that Burke would retire as chairman and CEO. The change was announced to be effective after either the next annual meeting or completion of the search for a replacement. At the same time, AECOM said that the board of directors would be expanded to include representatives of activist-shareholder Starboard Value, the fifth largest shareholder. Amid market speculation that AECOM would be acquired by WSP Global, AECOM announced the selection of W. Troy Rudd to be CEO. The change will be effective . Before his appointment as CEO, Rudd served as CFO for the company. The announcement included naming Lara Poloni as the new president. The announcement resulted in the resignation of the Starboard Value board member in protest over the selection.