Strengthening Our Leadership Bench

We’re excited to share that our Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) team has strengthened our leadership ranks. We’ve promoted two and added four new employee-owners to our bench of operations and corporate resources talent.

“At ESS, there’s no doubt our hardworking employee-owners deliver great projects. This level of performance requires a strong infrastructure of leadership that provides the essential support required for our people, projects, and partners to be successful,” says Robert Gillis, Co-Chief Executive Officer. 

“The growth and longevity of ESS require that we continually evaluate, promote, and bring on leaders that strengthen our operations today and in the future. Join me in welcoming and congratulating these leaders as they take on their new roles. Together, this group will help us prepare for the future and maintain our place as one of the best in the business.”

Scott Zepp
Vice President, Equipment Operations

Scott has been with ESS for nearly two decades. His knowledge of the construction industry along with his ability to manage vendor relationships has allowed ESS to grow its equipment fleet to more than 941 pieces. As the new Vice President of Equipment Operations, Scott will increase our capacity to provide a best-in-class equipment fleet as well as improve our maintenance efficiency and equipment uptime.

“I am honored to serve as the new Vice President of Equipment Operations. I look forward to continuing my work with the incredible employee-owners of ESS, maintaining strong relationships with our vendors, and keeping our equipment fleet best-in-class,” says Scott.

Shaun Brown
Vice President, Equipment Assets 

Before joining ESS, Shaun spent more than a decade in Las Vegas, NV honing his knowledge of the sales and rental industry. He worked as a general manager for several equipment companies before serving as vice president in his final role. Shaun’s background in heavy equipment sales and fleet management is well-rounded to say the least!

“Shaun will support the team as we seek to improve the capacity and efficiency of the equipment fleet. He brings a new perspective and leadership capacity to compliment the equipment department’s existing leadership,” says Robert Gillis, Co-Chief Executive Officer.

Shaun shared, “I am humbly grateful for the opportunity to fulfill the position of VP of Equipment Assets for ESS. I look forward to bringing my years of experience and relationships to aid in the continued growth and success of the company. I am also excited to learn individually and professionally as a team. I look forward to working with the equipment team to take our efficiency and productivity to the next level in all aspects of what we do.”

Sean Washatka
Assistant Vice President 

As the newest Assistant Vice President on the Kansas City team, Sean focuses on leading, managing, and supporting all preconstruction activities. This includes managing estimating activities and driving day-to-day pursuit efforts across our different service lines delivered by Kansas City Operations.

Sean brings 18 years of construction experience and deep knowledge of the Kansas City market to the ESS team. Prior to joining the ESS team, Sean worked at Kissick Construction as an estimator and at Bettis Asphalt & Construction as a Grading Division Manager/Estimator where he gained extensive experience in grading, underground utilities, asphalt paving, concrete paving, and more.

Sean shared, “I am most excited about joining a passionate, employee-owned company that prides itself on performance and its ownership culture. ESS provides a multitude of opportunities — a company that provides innovative solutions on complex projects and invests in its people through individual professional growth.”

Barry Spires
Assistant Vice President 

With more than 15 years of experience under his belt working as an asphalt superintendent and paving operations manager, Barry is already serving as an invaluable resource to his fellow employee-owners. In his new role as Assistant Vice President, Barry will be responsible for pursuing and managing work within our Asphalt operations in Southern Missouri and Arkansas in both private and public sectors.

“It is an honor to have been selected for this new position and I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that this presents,” says Barry. “I have the utmost respect for each and every one of our employee-owners and look forward to continued success for our company.”

Jon Phillips
Vice President, Human Resources 

Jon Phillips joined the ESS team in November as the Vice President of Human Resources. As the head of human resources, Jon partners with our operations leaders and executive management team to lead a wide range of HR disciplines including: training and development, benefits, HR management, employee relations, and more. Jon has more than two decades of human resources experience within the construction industry. Serving in key roles at some of the nation’s largest infrastructure companies, Jon’s expertise is integral to strengthening our human resources team and attacking some of our biggest people challenges head-on.

Jon shared that his passion for elevating the employee-owner experience drives him as he recruits and retains our workforce.

“I am very excited to join ESS. The Human Resources team is committed to supporting our employees and strives to lead the industry in recruitment, employee development, compliance, and retention,” says Jon.

Mark Heater
Director, Financial Planning & Analysis

Mark joined the Emery Sapp team in October of 2022 as the Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A). His experience includes more than two decades of leading and managing complex accounting, finance, and operations functions. So, what does a Director of FP&A do? Great question. In this role, Mark works collaboratively with operational and executive leaders to manage annual budgets, develop near and long-term forecasts, manage financial reporting and analysis, and build comprehensive business modeling for long-range plans. This is an essential role that will support the company’s commitment to financial sustainability and future growth.

“Since joining the ESS team, I have quickly realized how amazing the culture and the people who work at Emery Sapp truly are and am excited to be a part of the team! ESS has seen substantial growth in the last few years, and I look forward to providing strategic support of the company’s initiatives and continued growth while helping optimize the company’s profitability for the future,” says Mark.

Our employee-owners operate on the belief that great leaders are born from hard work and love for their craft. ESS is proud to recognize exceptional leadership when we see it. Join us in congratulating these employee-owners who will be leading our team to success.