CMiC Team Member Spotlight: Layne Black

At Keeley, we are driven by our mission and core values and these core values guide every decision. Each value has its own meaning for everyone, but this common ground allows us to come together and foster a culture of support, safety, well-being, and family. We sat down with Ron Roellig, Executive Vice President of Civil, to discuss our core values and how he sees them lived out every day amongst his team. PEOPLE – Don Recar exemplifies People in the way he goes above and beyond for his team members. When he saw a team member personally struggling, he put business aside and showed empathy by reaching out and connecting him with those that could help and provide the proper resources. This team member even expressed gratitude about how Keeley (and Don) goes above and beyond for Keeley’ns. RESPECT – At August’s Civil STP, the entire Civil Day Two team had open and honest dialogue while still showing respect to each other when asking tough questions and challenging each other. This was the first STP with new leadership in place and it was collaborative, open-minded day. Everyone provided strategic, constructive criticism which only allows for growth. If we fail to give constructive criticism, we are failing our team members and ourselves. Throughout the day, everyone listened intently and respected opinions and differing perspectives. Everyone left with clear APs, excitement for what’s to come, and a renewed energy. After the STP, we had a record-breaking month of August and I truly believe this STP set the tone for this new chapter of Keeley Civil. INTEGRITY – Jason Forney and the team at the Coffeen Solar Farm were facing adversity with a team member who experienced an injury on the project. Jason followed Keeley’s protocol and immediately got the team member the care he needed. However, our client indicated that we had not followed their protocol for notification. Jason, as the Keeley onsite Supervisor, owned the failure and committed to improvement moving forward doing Whatever It Takes for Safety. DISCIPLINE – The Estimating Team had been feeling extreme pressure in the first and second quarters of 2024 to find and secure new projects after experiencing a slow third and fourth quarter for bidding in 2023. They dealt with this pressure phenomenally and didn’t let bid declines get them down. The team stayed disciplined and continued to put forth their best effort. By remaining steadfast and avoiding panic buying, they have set up a successful path for the end of 2024 into 2025. Because of their hard work, we have a record-breaking year of backlog going into 2025! EMPOWERMENT – Our first example of Empowerment is Tim Eagan. Tim and his entire solar farm project teams developed solid work plans outlining personnel, equipment, and strategy for exemplary execution of work on multiple solar farm projects, including additional opportunities with a new client. They have achieved tremendous success in this market and we now have more resources on these jobs than any other project. This focus on growth in the solar farm market allows us to gain more experience and bid more work across the nation. Our second example of Empowerment is John Stackpole. With very little guidance or oversight, John continues to execute and deliver impactful results, thus opening up doors for emerging markets and new clients. What he has done for Civil Infrastructure by kicking down doors, fostering meaningful conversations, and attacking opportunities with an open mind is invaluable. He always goes above and beyond for our team, is quick to get in front of clients, and quick to resolve issues. PRIDE – Earlier this year, Devon Swan was asked to take over a difficult project in Emporia, KS that had fallen behind schedule and budget. Without hesitation, Devon accepted the challenges and went on the road. Facing a monumental task, Devon took over the project and implemented important changes regarding the direction of the project and the mindset of the client. Devon led his team and ultimately recovered almost three weeks of schedule delays while still keeping the team safe during extended days and weeks – working seven days a week and sometimes 14-16 hour days. Grueling schedules such as this can cause fatigue and stress, but Devon prioritize safety and kept every single team member safe. We are proud of every single member of the Keeley Civil Infrastructure team for living out our core values and exceeding expectations!

Here at Keeley, when we think of the word leadership, it is synonymous with Mike Rupinski. Since joining the Keeley family in 1997, his...