Ellingson
Travis Vander Wert was named president of ECI Contracting, taking on day-to-day leadership responsibilities for ECI Contracting’s trenchless and distribution operations. He brings not only industry insight but also a people-first approach to leadership.
Vander Wert possesses a wealth of experience with over 25 years in the trenchless and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry, paired with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and values rooted in integrity and relationships. He will oversee ECI Contracting’s two core divisions, continuing to build “a very developed and talented team in the industry.”
“This is more than just a new position for me. This is the right place at the right time,” said Vander Wert. “ECI Contracting has built a reputation for excellence, and I’m excited to work with a team that shares my passion for strategic growth, operational discipline, and building authentic relationships with both our people and our clients.”
Vander Wert was previously the co-owner of MaxHDD, one of the largest privately owned HDD contractors in the nation. Prior to that, he held operational sales management positions with Vermeer, where he began his career while still in high school.
After years of leading high-performing teams across the southern U.S., Vander Wert made the decision to return to the Midwest to settle down with his family. He is also the co-owner of Iron Eagle Welding Academy, reflecting his commitment to workforce development and his entrepreneurial drive.
“Integrity is everything,” Vander Wert said. “If you lead with integrity, whether in business or in life, everything else tends to fall into place. That’s how I operate, and that’s the culture we’ll continue to cultivate here at ECI Contracting.”
HEI Civil
HEI Civil, a national heavy civil construction company, appointed Richard Kirkman as its Southeast's Regional President. Kirkman brings over 30 years of extensive experience in heavy-highway, bridge and infrastructure development to his new role.
As regional president, Kirkman will oversee HEI Civil's operations throughout the Southeast region, driving strategic growth and ensuring the successful execution of complex civil projects.
"Richard's proven track record of leadership and his deep understanding of the civil construction industry make him an invaluable asset,” said Leo Denslow, CEO of HEI Civil. “His expertise in managing large-scale infrastructure projects and his commitment to excellence align perfectly with HEI Civil's mission to attract and build the best people, teams and projects."
Most recently, Kirkman was Regional Manager for the Carolinas at MasTec Civil, LLC. He spearheaded major civil projects in this role, focusing on operational efficiency, strategic planning and execution. His leadership was instrumental in ensuring the successful delivery of critical infrastructure developments.
Kirkman's extensive experience in project management, engineering and executive leadership positions him as a key driver of infrastructure growth and innovation in the region. His hands-on approach and strategic vision will be instrumental in advancing HEI Civil's presence and impact in the Southeast.
Felling Trailers
Felling Trailers Inc., a leading manufacturer of industrial and commercial trailers, made strategic changes to its sales leadership team. The changes reflect the company’s commitment to recognizing talent and fostering growth within the organization, while positioning it for continued success in the competitive trailer manufacturing industry.
Nathan Uphus, a 25-year veteran of Felling Trailers, was appointed as director of Sales. He now focuses on expanding the company's presence in fleet markets while overseeing key customer relationships.
Throughout his 21-year tenure in trailer sales, Uphus has developed an extensive network of industry connections built on his reputation for exceptional customer service.
"Nathan brings the perfect combination of industry knowledge, customer relationships, and strategic vision to grow Felling's footprint in the fleet markets," said Patrick Jennissen, VP of Sales and Marketing. "His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to meet and exceed the expectations of both new prospects and existing partners."
Jake Meyer, who has been with Felling's inside sales team since 2015, steps into the Sales Manager role, overseeing daily team operations, implementing training programs for new sales team members, and managing cross-departmental inquiries.
"His dedication and proven track record in driving results make him an ideal fit for this role,” said Uphus. “I’m confident he will continue to make a significant impact as he takes on this new opportunity.”
Uphus and Meyer have built a strong foundation during their years with Felling Trailers. Both started on the production floor, learning the various aspects of the production process before transitioning to parts sales and eventually moving into trailer sales.
PPI
Mike Casavant joined the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) as the new chair of the Hydrostatic Stress Board (HSB), a technical-based group of voluntary industry experts.
Formed 70 years ago, HSB develops, writes and provides the policies and recommendations for minimum strength characteristics for plastic pipe used in North America in gas, municipal water, wastewater, sewer industrial water plus building and construction system projects. Listing a product in the HSB program does not require PPI membership, as the program is a service to the entire plastics industry that is hosted and managed by PPI.
“Mike brings more than two decades of technical leadership and innovation to his new role with us,” stated David M. Fink, president of PPI. “His background is in product and process optimization, data acquisition systems, and PEX piping technology, as well as direct involvement with the PPI HSB, serving on numerous committees and task groups. His knowledge coupled with already being part of PPI for many years will well serve our association and the industry.”
From 2019 to 2024, Casavant played a leadership role within PPI, serving as the chair of both the Technical Committee and the Technical Steering Committee.
“We want to make sure that the end users, the specifying engineers, the municipalities – anyone using these products – know that there is an industry-wide, peer-reviewed standard to be met, and that they can feel comfortable that the products they are purchasing have gone through the rigorous process that the HSB provides,” said Casavant.
Casavant is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, holds several patents and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from the University of Alberta.
Founded in 1950 and now with nearly 200 members, PPI has five divisions: Building & Construction, Energy Piping Systems, Drainage, Municipal & Industrial, plus Power & Construction.
Garney
Mark Garrett joined Garney as its first Chief People Officer. The addition of this role reflects Garney’s commitment to strengthening the systems that support its employee-owners and sustain the culture behind its long-term success.
“Mark’s role reinforces something that’s always been true at Garney – our people are our greatest strength,” said David Burkhart, CEO of Garney. “As we take on more complex challenges across the country, his leadership will help us stay rooted in that belief and continue investing in the culture that sets Garney apart.”
Garrett brings decades of leadership experience in human resources and operations, having held senior roles at Hallmark Cards, Farmland Foods, Smithfield Foods, and most recently, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City.
In this new role, he will oversee Garney’s human resources, recruiting, employee relations, and training and development functions. His leadership will support the company’s people-first approach and its ongoing mission to deliver safe, reliable water and wastewater infrastructure nationwide.
A Kansas City native, Garrett earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Kansas and an MBA from Baker University. He has long demonstrated a commitment to community service. He serves as board chair for Phoenix Family Housing and Rose Brooks Center, and on boards of The Police Foundation of Kansas City, the YMCA of Greater Kansas City, and the Kansas City Home Ownership Initiative. Garrett is also a former board chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce.
Primoris
Primoris Services Corporation (Primoris) announced appointed Brad Smith as chief human resources officer (CHRO). With over 25 years of human resources experience across the industrial, engineering, and construction sectors, Smith brings a deep understanding of what it takes to foster high-performing teams in support of a company’s strategic objectives.
“Brad recognizes the unique opportunities and challenges of our industry and his focus on action and partnership will serve our employees and clients well,” said David King, Primoris’ interim president and CEO. “I’m confident he will drive meaningful engagement across our organization, as we continue to invest in a workplace where everyone can thrive.”
As CHRO, Smith oversees the full lifecycle human resources function across Primoris, including total rewards, talent management, learning and development, policies and procedures, and business-specific functions, ensuring alignment to advance growth, innovation, and employee success.
“I admire Primoris’ employee-centric culture and commitment to creating an environment where our people are supported, appreciated, and empowered,” Smith said. “I look forward to working alongside a talented and passionate HR team to build on this momentum, leading people-focused solutions that reflect our values and support our workforce at every level.”
He has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Texas at Austin and is a graduate of the Institute Européen d'Administration des Affaires’ Management Skills for International Business program and Rice University’s Global Leadership Development program. UI