Built from the ‘Dirt’ Up: Brian Kane’s Journey at Horst Excavating
I am not the type of person who is very comfortable talking about myself. Some of this is probably just my personality; the rest I’m sure is ingrained in me from my time in the Army. You learn a lot about the importance of “we” in the army. To say that my experiences working in the armed forces for the United States shaped me would be an understatement – it truly helped make me the man I am today. I learned a lot about self-discipline, goals, and perseverance. Perhaps the biggest lesson I learned was that it doesn’t matter what I did the day before – it’s what I do today that counts.
That is something which has stuck with me throughout my life and has helped shape my work ethic as well. When I got out of the army in 2000, I needed a good job to start my civilian life. Luckily, I had a friend who worked at Horst who asked if I’d be interested in becoming a pipe layer. I had next to no experience in that type of role, but happily applied for and accepted the position at Horst Excavating. I found that the work suited me – I liked working outdoors and working in a hands-on occupation – and quickly learned that my drive was not limited to my military career. I am not one for complacency and have an ambitious streak which easily leads to my desire to continually improve and move forward. Each day is a chance to learn and grow as a person, which is something that naturally lends itself to moving through the ranks – whether in the military or corporate setting.
“Perhaps the biggest lesson I learned was that it doesn’t matter what I did the day before – it’s what I do today that counts.”
After working as a pipe layer for a few years, I moved into the position of pipe crew leader. I enjoyed working in that role, leading my crew and helping to guide our portion of the project. Less than three years later, I had an opportunity to move into the office as a Project Coordinator. I decided I would be a fool not to give it a try. I was hesitant only because I wasn’t sure if I would like moving into an office setting and worried a bit that I’d feel stuck inside the four walls of an office. As it turned out, the work suited me and I became engrossed enough in the role that I didn’t much mind being inside. I really enjoyed the fact that I could work in the details of the projects, and immediately liked the idea of working toward the goal of becoming a Project Manager. I was fortunate to work with several people who I respect greatly, and tried to learn everything I could from them in my quest. Eventually, I grew into a Project Manager position, one which I held for about 4 years. I really liked project management – being involved in the details of the project, handling a new challenge every day, juggling various projects and deadlines to keep things moving along.
A New Perspective
In 2008, our company acquired another excavating company. The decision was made that I would move into the new office and assist with the transition. I became the sole Project Manager in that office, and was able gain a new perspective about the business. I was more involved in the day-to-day operations and in the estimating of our projects, not to mention the internal dynamics of the transition. I was provided with a general oversight of the entire business – something that really helped me gain an understanding on a whole new level.
“The truth is I will never stop experiencing growing pains – the minute I stop learning and growing, I’ve failed.”
After the transition was complete, the opportunity to advance presented itself once again. In summer of 2011, I accepted a promotion to become the Operations Manager of Horst Excavating. That move was not one without challenges. Not only was I moving from managing projects to managing the whole business, but I was also suddenly the person to whom everyone reported. I experienced a few growing pains, many of which were internal to myself. I felt as though I needed to constantly prove myself – especially to those people who had significant seniority. I felt that people were thinking “what does he know?” based on my age. The lesson I learned was that I had the opportunity to prove myself every single day; and that’s really all any of us can do. With some time, I felt more at ease in the role and eventually switched off that internal voice. The truth is I will never stop experiencing growing pains – the minute I stop learning and growing, I’ve failed.
Perseverance and Dedication
I closed out the year in 2012 by becoming an official officer of Horst Excavating. I earned the new title of Vice President, something even I hadn’t guessed could happen in the 12 years that had passed since I became employed by Horst. Every opportunity I took helped me to grow as an individual, to learn new things and fix issues as they presented themselves – which in turn helped the company and I grow together. I continue to spend each day trying my best and working hard; never forgetting that it’s what I do today that matters. I was asked to write about my journey from Pipe Layer to Vice President, in an effort to show what perseverance and dedication can provide in your career. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I do know I’m ready for the challenge.
Posted March 13, 2017