When Jeff Kolb graduated high school, he told his dad, the owner of the Kolb Group, that he was probably going to join the service. His father was going through issues with his heart at the time and asked Kolb to wait until they saw how things played out with his heart transplant.
Kolb joined the family company, but quickly learned that no one wanted to talk to the owner’s son – they wanted to talk to Dave Kolb himself. Kolb forged forward with zest, knocking on doors to gain new business for the contracting firm. His efforts led to environmental cleanup jobs that helped to expand the Kolb Group’s offerings and the title of CEO.
Kolb Group has grown from a St. Charles based contractor to a regional contractor performing contracts in 18 states. The firm has expanded its service to include underground utilities, blasting, demolition, crushing, asphalt, tunneling and metal fabrication.
While Kolb’s parents built the base and foundation of the company, he has led the firm into prestigious contracting jobs, including work for the New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport, the Lambert Airport Expansion project and nationwide projects.
“Our mindset is different,” said Kolb. “A lot of contractors look to bid low, get their foot in the door and then change order the customer to death, but we are always looking out for the client’s interest.”
As a leader, Kolb said he has done nothing more than manage people. “It’s the service and our performance that matters,” he said. “No company is run by one person, and I am very proud of the culture we have right now.”
According to his staff, Kolb’s leadership style is characterized by his ability to lead a company and team of people selflessly. “He prioritizes the success and well-being of others over his own personal gain and recognition, which is one of the reasons why the company has been successful for the past 60+ years,” they said. “His leadership, vision and passion are all tied to one thing, and that’s the people.”
Kolb said it’s important to create a culture and atmosphere that people love. “A true leader helps coach the coaches and knows their players and their best positions,” he said. “We thrive on challenges and use them as an opportunity to persevere which falls in line with our Caterpillar equipment line – tough, long lasting and reliable.”
For his strength and endurance while leading by example, Kolb has been named a titan.
