Guiding the Way

Years of Experience: 33 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 21 years (2026)

As Co-Chief Executive Officer, Tim is focused on operational excellence, team growth, and best-in-class client experience. He provides strategic leadership across the Emery Sapp Construction family of companies including the ESS Foundation. Tim is an energized leader who is constantly keeping abreast of industry trends and technology. He has been involved in all ESS market expansions since 2005 and has developed key partnerships across the region. Tim’s passion is people and he is an advocate for professional development and training.

Years of Experience: 28 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 8 years (2026)

As Co-Chief Executive Officer, Robert provides strategic leadership and ensures the ESS Companies family of companies are focused on meeting the evolving needs of both our clients and employee-owners. Over the course of his career, Robert has led many heavy civil infrastructure projects throughout the Midwest and Southwest regions including self-perform scopes across a broad spectrum of customers, size, complexity, and delivery type. Robert has led the team through significant growth including diversifying project delivery types, markets served, services provided, and geographic footprint. This diversification includes mergers and acquisitions, organic growth, and joint-venture opportunities.

Years of Experience: 36 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 36 years (2026)

Shawn has spent more than 35 years at ESS Companies growing our formidable equipment fleet and capabilities. As Executive Vice President of Midwest Operations, he is equal parts strategist and facilitator, managing the adoption, implementation, and operational impact of our heavy equipment fleet. Shawn is instrumental in project pursuit and execution, leveraging the tools and expertise of ESS to deliver for our clients. As an equipment expert, he plays a critical role in managing our market-leading equipment fleet.

Years of Experience: 30 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 20 years (2026)

As Senior Executive Vice President, Jason holds company-wide responsibility for all ESS operations. He is an accomplished leader with nearly three decades of experience in the heavy civil construction industry. Since joining ESS in 2006, he has held roles in estimating, project management, and operations — most recently leading ESS’ Springfield region. In his role as Senior Executive Vice President, he focuses on driving performance and supporting the success of teams across the company, Jason remains deeply committed to supporting employee-owners, serving partners, and strengthening the regions ESS calls home.

Years of Experience: 39 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 16 years (2026)

With nearly 40 years in the civil construction industry, Bob brings extensive experience across multiple regions, disciplines, and full project lifecycles. As Executive Vice President of Operations, he takes on all responsibility for commercial operations for ESS and leverages his broad operational background to lead major asset management. He ensures ESS resources are positioned for long-term performance and efficiency. Bob is passionate about workforce development, championing training and development efforts that equip the next generation of builders with the skills and support they need to succeed.

Years of Experience: 21 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 21 years (2026)

In his role as Executive Vice President of Operations, Josh plays a key role in guiding the strategy and vision for our heavy highway team. With more than two decades of experience managing complex infrastructure work, including bridge construction and rehabilitation, concrete paving, mass grading, and full-scale highway projects, he brings deep technical and operational expertise to the organization. Josh strengthens the connection between estimating and operations, shaping win strategies and ensuring ESS delivers innovative, value-driven solutions for clients. His leadership supports the continued growth of ESS, consistent performance, and commitment to building high-quality infrastructure across the regions we serve.

Years of Experience: 30 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 2 years (2026)

With three decades of experience in heavy civil construction, Paul plays a pivotal role in driving operational excellence and supporting ESS NWA operations. As Executive Vice President of Operations, Paul serves on the ESSC Executive Management Team, helping guide expansion into new and emerging markets while strengthening leadership across the organization. Known for his steady leadership and deep operational expertise, Paul is focused on building strong teams, maintaining continuity through growth, and positioning the company for long-term success. 

Years of Experience: 28 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 14 years (2026)

Brandon has more than 25 years of experience in the aggregate and asphalt industry. As Executive Vice President of Operations, Brandon oversees asphalt operations including aggregate and asphalt production, base rock installation, highway, commercial, and residential paving, and chip seal and pavement maintenance. He is passionate about advancing innovation and sustainable practices within asphalt production and maintenance and is an industry leader in the adoption and integration of automated intelligence.

Years of Experience: 23 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 8 years (2026)

Clayton Hicklin serves as Executive Vice President of Technology & Innovation for Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS), leading companywide technology and risk management in support of safe, efficient, and scalable business outcomes. He works closely with operations and executive leadership to ensure systems, controls, and processes support how work actually gets done in the field—focusing less on tools and more on outcomes like clarity, resilience, and operational confidence.

In addition to his ESS role, Clayton holds an executive leadership position at ESS Companies, helping guide technology and business innovation strategy across the broader family of operating companies. Known for his tech-forward, people-first approach, he brings a pragmatic, strategic mindset to growth—bridging technology and leadership to help the organization scale responsibly while staying grounded in real-world execution.

Years of Experience: 14 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 10 years (2026)

Caitlyn Cook serves as Executive Vice President of Marketing & Employee-Owner Experience (EOX) for Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS), leading marketing, human resources, and talent development. Her focus is shaping the employee-owner experience from hire to retire—aligning brand, culture, leadership development, and workforce strategy with the realities of the field. She works closely with operations and executive leadership to attract great people, build strong leaders, and ensure the ESS story reflects the work, the teams behind it, and the ownership mindset that sets the company apart.

In addition to her ESS role, Caitlyn also serves at ESS Companies, helping guide marketing and employee-owner experience strategy across the broader family of operating companies. Known for pairing strategic clarity with creative edge, she brings a people-first, ownership-driven approach to her work—grounded in the belief that strong culture, clear communication, and empowered employee-owners are what truly move the business forward.

Years of Experience: 37 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 5 years (2026)

Dennis has more than 35 years of experience in the highway and heavy civil construction industry. His diverse background with project delivery method and life-cycle knowledge is invaluable and a key component to his success. Dennis oversees processes, provides practical solutions to field challenges, and prepares our crews for ultimate success when it comes to everyday responsibilities. With decades of experience managing mega projects, he is key to forecasting the workforce, equipment and support needed for project success.

Years of Experience: 25 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 10 years (2026)

With over two decades of experience in the construction industry, Andy has gained a diverse wealth of knowledge that spans many scopes of civil construction road work including asphalt paving, milling, concrete paving, chip and seal, and underground utilities. Andy helps lead the asphalt branch in all aspects from estimating to operations. He also has experience as a Senior Estimator. He managed quantity take-offs, cost estimates, bid package development, negotiations with material suppliers, and budget reviews. His unique experience in construction estimating, quality control, and operations management has helped him become an integral part of the overall operation.

Years of Experience: 21 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 4 years (2026)

Shaun is an engaging leader with two decades of experience in the heavy equipment industry. Before joining ESS, he served as a general manager for several equipment companies before spending more than a decade in Las Vegas, Nevada leading a large sales and rental operation. As Vice President of Equipment, Shaun is responsible for managing all equipment, maintenance, and transportation operations for one of the region’s largest heavy equipment and truck fleets — an integral part of the company’s competitive advantage.

Years of Experience: 14 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 14 years (2026)

Brian joined Emery Sapp & Sons upon graduating with his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He has worked with private developers and their engineers from initial site selection to project completion. His approach, from beginning to finish, is to help the developer and their engineer budget, design, and build the most cost-effective site. He has worked on both public and private projects to find value and methods for ESS to be successful. His experience encompasses underground utilities, concrete paving, grading, and excavating.

Years of Experience: 24 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 4 years (2026)

With more than 23 years of experience in equipment operations, Chris is a proven leader in fleet management, organizational efficiency and ensuring ESS abides by all safety and regulatory standards. As Assistant Vice President of Equipment, Chris is responsible for developing cost-effective budgets, implementing communication initiatives and streamlining processes through new software tools. He is committed to constantly improving equipment operations by investing in training and mentorship programs.

Years of Experience: 19 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 9 years (2026)

Tyson Collins has more than 18 years of experience in the heavy civil construction and asphalt industry. As Assistant Vice President, Tyson oversees all aspects of our asphalt operations including estimating and preconstruction activities, planning, scheduling, traffic control management, permanent plant operations, quality assurance, mix testing, cold milling operations, project management, and client management.

Years of Experience: 18 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 9 years (2026)

Laser-focused on client advocacy and operational excellence, Jason sets the tone for the firm’s Springdale, Arkansas office and hundreds of local employee-owners. In his 17-year career, Jason has spent a number of years in the Northwest Arkansas market working for some of the country’s largest general and civil contractors managing projects in both the public and private sectors. His diverse experience spans municipal, DOT, higher education, private development, railway, and logistic center clients.

Years of Experience: 29 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 1 year (2026)

As Vice President of Alternative Delivery, Dan leads the strategic development and implementation of innovative construction delivery methods, including Design-Build (DB), Progressive Design-Build (PDB), Design-Bid-Build (DBB) and Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR). Throughout his nearly 30-year career, Dan has dedicated himself to transforming project delivery, improving client satisfaction and driving cost-effective solutions without compromising quality. He works closely with internal stakeholders, clients and external partners to identify the best-fit approach for each project, ensuring timely and on-budget completion.

Years of Experience: 10 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 5 years (2026)

Chris Fitzpatrick serves as Assistant Vice President of Operations, where he leads strategic oversight and performance excellence across ESS’ asphalt paving and pavement preservation services. With deep roots in the industry and experience advancing through project and operational roles, Chris brings a strong mix of technical expertise and leadership to one of the company’s core business lines. Since joining ESS in 2021, Chris has played a pivotal role in developing asphalt production, diamond grinding, and broader pavement preservation operations — building capable teams, optimizing field execution, and supporting the company’s growth initiatives. His background in project management and commitment to quality and safety help ensure ESS delivers durable, cost-effective asphalt solutions that keep communities moving.

Years of Experience: 26 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 22 years (2026)

With more than 25 years of civil construction experience, Jesse brings deep expertise in heavy highway work, including grading, underground utilities, concrete paving, and structural projects. As Vice President of Operations, he oversees project management and field execution across Heavy Highway, aligning people, equipment, and resources to deliver strong, predictable outcomes. A proven driver of innovation and operational discipline, Jesse understands the ESS way of building work and plays a key role in advancing performance, consistency, and excellence across the division.

Years of Experience: 36 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 27 years (2026)

Chip has more than 35 years of experience in the heavy construction industry, with experience working for and with the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). His knowledge and leadership on MoDOT projects has won multiple awards from the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America’s Build America Award for Highway and Transportation Renovation. As EVP of Operations, Chip provides strategic leadership for heavy highway projects and oversees the development of safety and culture-based initiatives.

Years of Experience: 34 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 19 years (2026)

With more than 30 years of experience, Chris is known for his proactive and collaborative team approach. He is responsible for all business development, client relations, and preconstruction activities for operations in the southern Missouri and Ozarks region. Leaning on his extensive project management experience, Chris helps ensure our teams deliver impressive results that exceed expectations for our clients. 

Years of Experience: 25+ (2026)

Years with ESS: 1 year (2026)

Travis serves as Vice President of Operations, where he supports field operations and project execution across Northwest Arkansas. Travis brings more than 20 years of heavy civil construction experience, leading large-scale infrastructure projects across the United States. Prior to joining ESS, he spent two decades with Ames Construction, where he progressed from project engineer to senior leadership roles overseeing complex transportation work. He is passionate about developing the next generation of leaders and strengthening the long-term growth of employee-owners within the company.

Years of Experience: 22 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 18 years (2026)

As Vice President of Operations for Springfield, Paul Moody serves as the senior operational leader for the region, guiding strategy, execution, and performance across a diverse portfolio of work. A data-driven and relationship-focused leader, Paul is known for transforming complex insights into clear decisions that strengthen outcomes for clients and crews alike. He partners closely with field leaders, project teams, and ESS leadership to drive operational discipline, team development, and long-term growth—ensuring Springfield remains a high-performing market for ESS and its employee-owners.

Years of Experience: 22 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 15 years (2026)

As Vice President of Operations for Kansas City, Tyler leads ESS’ commercial strategy and project execution across one of the our fastest-growing markets. A long-time employee-owner who built his career in the field, Tyler is known for accountability, innovation, and a relentless focus on delivering safe, high-quality work. In this role, he partners closely with crews, clients, and ESS leadership to strengthen our regional presence and support a sustainable pipeline of work that benefits our people and the communities we serve.

Years of Experience: 27 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 20 years (2026)

With more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Curtis plays a key role in all of Columbia’s preconstruction services. His responsibilities include quantity take-offs, cost estimates, and negotiations with material suppliers. Curtis oversees our project estimators and is heavily involved in project pursuits, contracts, and business development. His leadership skills help ESS deliver best-in-class service.

Years of Experience: 29 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 13 years (2026)

As Assistant Vice President, Barry is responsible for pursuing and managing work within our Asphalt operations in Southern Missouri and Arkansas in both private and public sectors. With more than 15 years of experience under his belt working as an asphalt superintendent and paving operations manager, Barry is an invaluable resource.

Years of Experience: 25 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 18 years (2026)

Billy brings more than 20 years of construction industry experience to his role as Vice President of Northwest Arkansas Operations, where he provides strategic leadership for all project execution across the region. He has been instrumental in expanding ESS’ estimating strength and operational capabilities in Northwest Arkansas, helping position the region for sustained growth. With a deep background in field operations and preconstruction, Billy leads teams through complex, high-risk infrastructure work while driving consistency, accountability, and performance. Known for his people-first leadership style and commitment to strong client and partner relationships, Billy plays a key role in delivering quality results and building teams that are prepared for what’s next.

Years of Experience: 21 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 4 years (2026)

Sean brings more than 20 years of construction experience and extensive knowledge of the Kansas City market to the ESS team. As Assistant Vice President of the Kansas City team, Sean focuses on the direction, management, and support of all preconstruction activities. This includes managing estimating activities and leading daily sourcing initiatives across all of our various service lines offered by our Kansas City operations.

Years of Experience: 19 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 8 years (2026)

Nathan brings over 18 years of construction accounting experience to his role as Vice President of Finance. He oversees all financial accounting and reporting functions, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and strong fiscal management across the organization. Nathan and his team play a critical role in supporting strategic initiatives and driving the financial performance that enables the continued growth and success of ESS.

Years of Experience: 21 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 21 years (2026)

Tyler brings more than 20 years of experience at ESS to his role as Director of Talent Development. Since joining ESS in 2005, Tyler has played a key role in advancing both operations and workforce development, including helping establish the company’s stringless paving program, which advanced how we leverage technology in the field. In his current role, he is focused on building workforce development efforts across ESS, by creating craft and leadership training programs, developing career pathways, supporting emerging leaders, and strengthening our talent pipeline through outreach, education partnerships, and internal development.

Years of Experience: 15 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 7 years (2026)

In his role as Director of Technology, Paul leads the strategy and development of technology solutions that support employee-owners across ESS. With more than a decade of experience in heavy civil construction, including project engineering and project management roles, he brings a practical understanding of field operations and project execution to the organization. Paul has been instrumental in advancing technology initiatives at ESS, including helping lead the early adoption of GIS technology within ESS — efforts that laid the foundation for today’s GIS solutions across ESS Companies. His leadership focuses on improving efficiency, creating clear processes, and equipping teams with the technology and support they need to succeed.

Years of Experience: 11 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 5 years (2026)

Since entering the A/E/C industry nine years ago, Haylee has been a catalyst for marketing solutions. Driving the firm’s corporate initiatives, she is responsible for leading the marketing team through marketing strategy, creative approach and communications. Haylee collaborates with teams across the company to identify opportunities and implement marketing efforts to support the firm nationally, as well as our family of brands.

Years of Experience: 21 years (2026)

Years with ESS: <1 year (2026)

As Vice President of Health & Safety, Michael brings extensive experience leading safety programs across multi-state heavy civil and industrial operations. Known for his proactive, people-first approach, Michael has a strong track record of building systems, training, and cultures that reduce risk and strengthen organizational performance. Michael focuses on innovation, prevention, and the overall wellbeing of our employee-owners. His leadership reinforces the commitment at ESS to creating safe, consistent, high-standard work environments across all regions and disciplines.

Years of Experience: 18 years (2026)

Years with ESS: 3 years (2026)

Crystal serves as Director of Human Resources for Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS), leading companywide HR and recruitment teams. With nearly two decades of HR leadership experience, she works closely with leaders and employee-owners to support career growth, strengthen workplace culture, and ensure people practices work in the field—not just on paper.

A collaborative, people-first leader, Crystal helps steward ESS’ responsibilities as an employee-owned company by building strong teams, supporting consistent leadership, and reinforcing the employee-owner experience. Her practical approach and deep HR expertise help strengthen ESS’ culture and support long-term success.