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Local Leader to Continue Emery Sapp Legacy
We’re excited to announce that Brian Burks, P.E. has been named Vice President of Emery Sapp & Sons’ (ESS’) Columbia operations team.
In the role of Vice President, Burks will be responsible for pursuing and managing work within the Mid-Missouri market. Building on the firm’s 50-year legacy within the Columbia, Missouri market, Burks will lead a team of more than 180 local employee-owners.
Reporting to Burks, Curtis Shuman will continue to serve as Assistant Vice President for ESS’ Columbia operations.
Under Burks’ leadership, ESS will continue to expand its capabilities in the region, strengthen its relationships with its business partners, and maintain its commitment to the local community.
Burks has more than 10 years of experience with ESS. He got his start as an estimating and project management intern in the summer of 2012. He quickly moved into a full-time role as an estimator and maintained that position until 2017. He then served as a senior estimator for two years before stepping into a project management role. Burks maintained his position as a project manager until 2021 when he was promoted to his most recent role as Assistant Vice President.
With 10 years of infrastructure experience, Burks has helped grow ESS’ capabilities and expanded project and client management efforts. Through his career, Burks has managed keynote projects such as the Potterfield Group’s Midway USA warehouse project, Nifong Boulevard Improvements project for the City of Columbia, Missouri as well as multiple projects for Columbia Regional Airport. He has also had the opportunity to work with many of ESS’ legacy clients to help bring their private developments to life.
Burks shared, “I’m proud to continue the Legacy of Emery Sapp & Sons in Columbia. We have a team of bad*ss people. From our skilled craft professionals in the field to the project managers and estimators in the office – each and everyone one of our people own what they do. I consider it a privilege to lead this team. I was given an amazing opportunity to grow my career here at Sapp and I’m excited to pass that same opportunity on to the next generation. The future really is just beginning and I’m stoked to see what’s next.”
Tim Paulson, Co-CEO shared, “I had the privilege of watching both Brian Burks and Curtis Shuman hone their skills as leaders under former executive vice president of operations, Justin Gay. Since Justin’s passing in February of 2021, the Columbia team has banded together to continue delivering great projects for their clients. Helping support the Columbia team through this challenging time, Brian has sharpened both his operational expertise and leadership skills. Justin had great aspirations for the Columbia team. I have no doubt Brian and the Columbia leadership team will drive towards this vision and continue to build upon his legacy. I couldn’t be more proud. Congratulations, Brian!”