Member Spotlight

Jason Muhle

President, Kea Constructors, LLC

​What does a typical day at work look like for you?

• ½ office and ½ traveling between jobsites. In the office, it’s a lot of estimating, submittals and planning for future work. We have jobs in South Dakota to and Nebraska, so lots of miles to cover.

 
What do you like most about your job?

• The variety, I am not a desk jockey.

 
What aspect of your job do you find the most challenging?

• Finding personnel, training our people, and growing the business

 
How did you get into the industry?

• I did one semester of Architecture at UNL and realized that wasn’t for me. I got a job at Kiewit right out of high school as l laborer on a paving crew. I continued employment there through college and went full time following my graduation in Construction Management.

 
What is your favorite moment of your career so far? Favorite project?

• 1998. Foreman/Field Engineer in charge of the structural steel on 11 bridges from Fayetteville Arkansas to Fort Smith. The project ran through the Boston Mountain Range. Because of the rock, girder delivery had to be coordinated with the blast and shoot operations through the mountains to obtain access for the trucks. This project was extremely challenging and stressful but in the end was very rewarding.

 
What are your hopes for the industry?

• That we can show the younger generation that there is a huge value in having a career in construction.

 
If you could provide one piece of professional advice, what would it be?

• Be patient. Lose the ego. Do your best always, no matter how small the task. It won’t go unnoticed.

  
What did you want to be when growing up?

• I’m still growing up. I’ll let you know when I know.

 
What was the first job you ever had?

• Butcher in my uncle’s shop in Elkhorn, NE.

 
If you could go back and tell your 18-year-old self one thing, what would it be?

• Lose the ego, live in the moment, and take chances when you’re young.

  
What is one skill/ability you wish you had?

• The ability to speak Spanish and play the guitar.

 
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?

• Live music and fish with my son.

 
If you could have lunch with anyone (past or present), who would you choose?

• Theodore Roosevelt. In addition to his Presidency, he was a conservationist, soldier, avid hunter, just a hard-charging individual.

 
What is your biggest pet peeve?

• Laziness.

 
Favorite restaurant?

• Drover, or anywhere with a good steak and a stiff drink.

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