Publication: KMOX’s Business of Family Business, November 6, 2024

In this episode of KMOX’s Business of Family Business podcast, Keith Poettker, Chairman & CEO of Poettker Construction, and Ryan Poettker, President of Poettker Construction, recount the founding of the company, their transition to leadership, the growth of the company, and more.

Keith Poettker tells the compelling story of how his father and founder of Poettker Construction, Charles Poettker, earned two Bronze Stars for heroic acts during the Vietnam War. Charles bravely crossed enemy lines to retrieve morphine for his comrades who were injured by a blast.

The brothers share how in the beginning, Poettker Construction built modular units for Scott Air Force Base, still a loyal customer. In 1986, Charles Poettker traveled to Arkansas to make a pitch to Walmart. Over a thousand projects later and counting, Poettker Construction continues to provide renovation services and new builds for Walmart.

“We take one relationship at a time and try to do everything we can to grow that relationship, and so today, we’re licensed in 28 states,” said Keith Poettker. “The reason we got licensed in those 28 states is because the relationship wanted us to go with them. We would just grow with them as they were growing.”

Keith and Ryan express their gratitude for their father’s foresight in having his children meet with a consulting firm to create an official generational transition plan. Following Charles’ unexpected death, his four children were prepared to continue the family business.

They attribute Poettker Construction’s continued success partially to the addition of new leaders to their strategic planning committee, as well as to the long tenure of many of its employees, creating a reliable and consistent workforce.

Click below to listen to the entire podcast to learn more about Poettker Construction’s rich history and plans for the future, hosted by KMOX’s Debbie Monterrey and Kevin Short of Clayton Capital Partners.