Associate Spotlight: Steve Shuey – Building Success from the Ground Up

For more than four decades, Steve Shuey has built his career from the ground up. From his first job as a laborer to his current role as Senior Superintendent in our Des Moines office, Steve’s story is one of hard work, hands-on learning and a lifelong commitment to doing things the right way.

“I’ve always liked seeing a project go from bare ground to a finished product,” he said. “That feeling of seeing something take shape never gets old.”

A Career Built by Doing

Steve’s passion for construction started early. As a child, he watched his dad remodel their home and quickly became fascinated by how things fit together. By high school, he was taking woodworking and drafting classes and even helped build a house. From there, he jumped straight into the field, learning every aspect of the construction process – concrete work, framing, trim work, estimating and managing.

Having advanced through nearly every role in the industry, including superintendent for a residential and commercial construction company and owning his own business, Steve ultimately heeded our call to join our team in 2021. When he arrived, his experience made an immediate impact as he moved between jobsites, mentoring new superintendents and sharing practical lessons learned over decades in the field.

“Steve’s in-depth knowledge of construction has been a huge asset to our team, and his willingness to share his knowledge with the next generation has helped us develop the next level of leaders in our group,” said Jeff Smith, Senior Vice President of Construction. “He’s also a team player with a can-do attitude. He truly wants to see collective success on the jobsite.”

A Steady Leader

Steve’s first project with us was WorldWide Logistics. They enlisted us to design and build a new 76,000-square-foot headquarters in Urbandale, IA. The project brought a fair number of challenges, including a late permit, a change in team members and building with a generator as the power source due to long lead times on electrical gear.

But for Steve, problem solving is second nature. He led with composure and collaboration, and through every obstacle, he made sure the client stayed informed and his team stayed focused. He also ensured the project was completed on schedule.

“I don’t believe there’s anything that can’t be handled if you have a good team, good subs and good suppliers,” he said.

Enduring Values & Buildings

Steve was born and raised in central Iowa and credits his dad for teaching him to work hard and let his actions speak louder than words. That mindset defines how he leads and how he lives.

He’s been married for more than 40 years, raised two daughters and now loves spending time with his grandchildren. He volunteers countless hours as head statistician for Iowa State University football and basketball. He’s also a reliable father and friend who’s always willing to lend a hand when needed.

“Steve is just a really great guy that our entire team enjoys spending time with – both on the jobsite and outside of work,” said Smith.

Steve’s success isn’t the result of a degree. It’s the product of determination, craftsmanship and a drive to keep learning and doing. After more than 40 years in the industry, he’s still motivated by the simple satisfaction of building something that lasts.