Plateau Excavation
With a strong foundation built on people, quality craftsmanship, and innovation, Plateau Excavation has become a leader in tackling advanced, large-scale and complex site development projects, but it is our people that truly make the difference and have moved the company forward.
Today’s Plateau People Spotlight is Senior Vice President of Construction, Ryan Duke.
- How many years have you been at Plateau Excavation? 24 years
- What’s your job title? Senior Vice President of Construction
- What exactly do you do at our company? I am over ALL things that fall under field operations for PEI and our sister companies such as Dewitt, LK Gregory, and Kimes and Stone.
- So far, what has been your favorite project? It will be hard to ever top Truist Park, but the Facebook/ Meta projects are a close second. SK is catching up as well, but it’s too new to claim.
- How would you describe your team or the people you work with? That’s easy! The best in the business!
- What advice would you provide to someone interested in getting into this industry? This industry requires a lot of hard work and needs to be a passion and not just a job. For those of us that it is a passion, there is nothing more satisfying.
- What is your favorite aspect about your job, Plateau, or the industry? The people I get to work with – from the operators to the owners. We get to deal with really great, hard-working, and high-moral people every day.
- What drew you to Plateau originally? And how has Plateau changed since? What’s kept you here? My dad has been a tractor salesman my whole life, so I have always been around the industry. As a kid, I worked summers for some of his customers and determined I did not want to be in the grading business in my future. My plan was to go into sales and marketing. During college, I met Greg Rogers (former owner- my dad’s customer) and he asked me to come help him at his office for a summer job. I accepted the job in March of 1999 and never left. I was the fifth person in the office, that included admin, receptionist, owner, etc. Of that group, I am the only one still standing. Obviously, the change has been large for me, from 60 employees to 1200 and from private to public. The great part is that we have been able to maintain the small company mentality even today. The people that I am fortunate to go to battle with every day are what keep me here. We have the best team in the business hands down.
- What is something unique about you (a fun fact) that few people are aware of? A lot of the team has been around me for many years, and I think they know pretty well. I love to travel with my family and watch my kids experience new places and new adventures.
- Anything else to share? I do want to thank my wife and kids for understanding all of the times I am late or miss things due to work. They are all extremely understanding and supportive.
The great part is that we have been able to maintain the small company mentality even today. The people that I am fortunate to go to battle with every day are what keep me here. We have the best team in the business hands down.