A Veterans Day Special: Giving Thanks to Our Vets

Giving credit where credit is due is something that we here at Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) are proud to carry out. In honor of Veterans Day on November 11th, we want to take the time to honor our employee-owners who have served for the United States. These extraordinary individuals have made significant sacrifices to protect our country and their dedication certainly doesn’t go unnoticed. In uniform or in PPE, these veterans have shown tremendous hard work, dependability and resilience.

To say we’re proud would be an understatement. It’s employee-owners like these individuals who not only do things the #ESSWay, but also the American Way. In the wise words of Willie Nelson, “America, to me, is freedom”. And that’s all thanks to our heroic veterans. Let’s give it up for the ESS Vets!

Now, who’s ready to meet a few of our brave veterans?! 🇺🇸

Operator
Kansas City

What branch did you serve and for how long?
United States Army. 4 years

What was your role?
I was a machine gunner and team leader.

What has been the proudest moment or most rewarding aspect of your military career? 
I got to be a big part of the exfiltration of troops out of Iraq.

Do you have a motto, personal mantra or favorite quote? 
Never take life for granted, live each day to the fullest, succeed the best you can and always give 110%.

What are you most likely to become famous for?
My ability to shape the Mona Lisa with dirt and some rock.

Assistant Operations Manager
Springfield

What branch did you serve and for how long?
United States Marine Corps. 6 years

What were your roles?
+ Amphibious Assault Vehicle Crew Chief
+ Amphibious Assault Instructor
+ Primary Marksmanship Instructor

What has been the proudest moment/most rewarding aspect of working at ESS?
My proudest accomplishment at ESS was working on Joplin Replacement Hospital.
My most rewarding aspect of working at ESS is looking back through the years and seeing what we have been a part of building and also seeing someone you’ve mentored step into a new role and succeed.

What are you most likely to become famous for?
Saddle maker I suppose, it’s probably the only chance I’ve got left. My goal is to have a contestant ride one of my saddles at the National Finals Rodeo. I don’t know if that makes me famous but in the Western/Equine industry that’s a pretty cool deal.

Low-Boy Driver
Equipment

What branch did you serve and for how long?
United States Army. 3 years

What was your role? 
Heavy mechanics and towing operator.

What has been the proudest moment or most rewarding aspect of your military career?
Learning how to protect myself and others, and serving my country.

What has been the proudest moment or most rewarding aspect of working at ESS? 
It is great to be part of a team that strives to reach the same goal.

What is something most people don’t know about you? 
I love 80’s music.

Estimator
Heavy Highway/DOT

What branch did you serve and for how long? 
United States Marine Corps. 4 years

What was your role? 
I got out as a Sergeant. My specialty was being a heavy equipment operator in a combat engineer unit.

What aspects of your military career helped you prepare for a successful career in construction? 
Teaching myself to operate cranes paid off in a big way because that is how I got my start in this industry. Being a leader came natural to me so as time progressed, I worked my way up the ladder. I have worked every single position and held every job title from laborer up to foreman to project manager and now estimator.

Where can we find you on the weekends? 
If I am not spending time with my family you will most likely not find me because I will be out fly fishing on a remote stream down south.

Estimator
Achen-Gardner

What branch did you serve and for how long?
United States Marine Corps. 17 years

What was your role?
I held the ranks of Private through Captain

What aspects of your military career helped you prepare for a successful career in construction?
Understanding that the guys and gals in the field are the main effort, and everything we are doing is supporting them so we are all successful.

What has been the proudest moment or most rewarding aspect of your military career?
Seeing my Marines get promoted or awarded for all their hard work.

What is something most people don’t know about you?
I sing Katy Perry songs loudly and badly in the car (with my 5 yr old daughter).

Stringless Paving Technician
GPS/Survey

What branch did you serve and for how long?
United States Marine Corps. 5 years

What was your role?
Sergeant

What made you decide to join the military?
My decision to join the military came from the events of 9/11. I had options upon graduating, but in the end my final decision was based on my family’s past military experience. Both my father and brother were marines so I decided to follow suit and join as well.

Do you have a motto or personal mantra? 
I really enjoy seeing a quote or message that gives you the feeling you could run through a wall and concur the world. A quote I keep in the back of my mind that hits home and keeps me motivated is, “Live in such a way that if someone spoke badly of you no one would believe it.”

If you are a current member of the armed forces and ready to transition into the civil workforce, ask a recruiter about the Army’s Career Skills Program. Retiring or separating service members have the opportunity to participate in pre-employment programs within the last six months before separation from the service at a company of their choosing. This program also allows individuals to build on their previous experiences and skills obtained during their time of service in order to create careers in the civilian sector.

Contact workforce@emerysapp.com to learn more!