KBR, a global provider of differentiated professional services and technologies, has appointed Mark Sopp as the new chief financial officer (CFO) starting from the first quarter of 2017.

He will replace Brian Ferraioli, who has decided to retire to spend more time with family. Ferraioli and Sopp will work closely together to ensure a managed and smooth transition for KBR's financial organization.

Sopp brings many years of financial leadership experience to KBR. From 2005 to 2015, he served as CFO and Executive Vice President for Leidos Holdings, previously called SAIC, which is one of the largest publicly traded government contractors in the US and also has significant technically-focused commercial professional services operations, including serving energy markets.

Previously, Sopp served in various executive positions with Titan Corporation, also involved in government contracting and commercial business areas.

He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting from New Mexico State University and completed the executive program from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA.

Welcoming Sopp into the fold, Stuart Bradie, KBR president and CEO, said: "We look forward to his joining KBR. Along with his extensive financial and capital markets expertise, Sopp's long-time experience in the government contracting sector, including knowledge of the government services investment community, will be immensely helpful as KBR expands our government services segment to achieve better balance between our government and hydrocarbons businesses."

"The addition of KBRwyle has brought a large number of reimbursable professional services contracts to our portfolio and we are seeing continued expansion of existing government contracts and task orders for the U.S. and UK. governments. To that end, I am confident that with Mark on our team we will achieve further shareholder value and financial success going forward," added Bradie.