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Jon Sargent named to 2021 Des Moines Business Record Forty Under Forty Class

Congratulations to Jon Sargent, T&S President & CEO, for receiving the honor of being named to the 2021 Des Moines Business Record Forty Under 40 class. The 40 local business leaders were chosen by past award winners for their impressive career achievements and unparalleled community involvement.

 

Age: 38

Partner: Wife Emily Sargent

Mentor: Phil Sargent, retired from Todd & Sargent Inc.

 

Why he’s a Forty: Jon is a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization Iowa Executive Committee. He served on the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s Business Advisory Council. He is a past board president of the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation and incoming board president of Friendship Ark Homes.

 

What are your goals in your role at your company?

My biggest goal at Todd & Sargent is to create a really talented team of people who are passionate about doing great things together the right way and building on the work of those who have come before us.

 

What are your goals for your community involvement? 

My biggest goal as a philanthropist is to find those people and organizations who are having an outsized impact on the community and support them with my time, skill set and resources to help them drive real benefit in the world.

 

What’s your biggest passion, and why?

My biggest passion is to learn. There’s a whole big, amazing world out there, and if you’re not learning and growing from it, then you’re missing out.

 

What is it that drives you? 

People often ask if I felt obligated to come back and “work at the family business.” To the contrary, it has never felt like an obligation but like a true privilege. It is so powerfully motivating to have 88 years of history and success to build upon.

 

What are your future aspirations?

At work, I’m most excited to help continue building an organization that will stand the test of time. Outside of work, I’m eager to help create a unique, vibrant, engaging Central Iowa community.

 

Three hobbies: Pretty basic stuff: reading, running, seeing the world. The occasional vintage pinball game.

 

Fun Fact: Jon knows pi to 101 digits.

 

ONE word: Learner.

 

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? 

I’d love to grab a beer with Tanner Krause sometime. We obviously have very different businesses, but I’m always interested to learn from other people.

 

Anything else you haven’t addressed that people must know about you?  

I’m a proud fifth-generation Iowan with a long family history in Des Moines. I have a passion for family history — I’m currently in the process of scanning 300-plus letters that my grandfather wrote to my grandmother while he was serving in the Pacific during WWII. I recently finished spearheading a 400-page Sargent family history book with my cousin and a local historian. My wife, Emily, and I are licensed foster parents and are so glad to be able to support local kids in need through the program.

 

Full 2021 Forty Under 40 Class

 

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Karl Kratzke

Director of Industrial Projects

As the Director of Industrial Projects at Todd & Sargent, Karl Kratzke leads the development and management of projects within the industrial processing sector. With nearly 20 years of experience, his expertise spans a wide range of markets, including oilseed, biofuels, biochemicals, liquid processing, food ingredients, feed ingredients, pharmaceuticals, and pet food. In addition to his background as a General Contractor, Karl spent nearly four years on the leadership team of a major food ingredient company, where he managed capital projects from concept to production, along with plant engineering and facility operations. A member of the Grain Elevator and Processing Society, he is dedicated to advancing industry standards and driving innovation. Karl holds a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management from Minnesota State University and a Master’s degree in Integrated Food Systems Leadership from the University of Minnesota.

Jon Sargent

CEO

Jon Sargent provides overall strategic and corporate direction to Todd & Sargent. In his role as CEO, he focuses on setting the company’s vision, leading the company’s leadership team, and ensuring the company lives its values every day. Jon is a member of the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS), Construction Management Association, and former board member of Associated Builders & Contractors of Iowa. Jon graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.B.A. in Finance and from the University of Chicago with an M.B.A. in Economics. He is also a member of The Sargent Group, Inc. Board of Directors. Jon has been with Todd & Sargent since 2010.

Brian Watson

Director of Project Management

Brian Watson is responsible for project management at Todd & Sargent, bringing consistent project delivery to our clients. He works closely with our project management teams and clients to ensure project quality, schedules, and budgets are met. Brian is a member of the Grain Elevator and Processing Society and International Association of Operative Millers. Brian graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Construction Engineering and has been with Todd & Sargent since 2014.

Christie Mohlke

Vice President – People

Christie Mohlke leads all HR functions at Todd & Sargent, such as culture, recruiting, training, compliance, employee onboarding and orientation, employee relations, benefits, and more. She has over 10 years of experience in human resources focusing on operations management. Christie graduated with a B.B.A. in Marketing from Austin Peay State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Cumberland University. She is a member of the National Society of Human Resource Management and is designated as a Professional of Human Resources.

Lesley Whitten

Director of Operations – Canada

Lesley Whitten oversees all aspects of our Canadian operations, from project management and engineering to field operations to ensure each facility meets client expectations. She has more than 15 years of experience in the construction industry, and she has worked on many new grain elevator builds, large scale elevator and facility upgrades, fertilizer facilities, and canola crushing plants while serving in roles from project coordinator up to project management manager. Lesley holds a CET (Certified Engineering Technologist) and PMP (Project Management Professional) accreditation.

James Bucher

Chief Financial Officer

James Bucher is responsible for Todd & Sargent’s finance, accounting, and information technology functions. He manages the T&S accounting team, banking and insurance relationships, and oversees the annual audits of the company’s financial statements, benefits plans, and insurance programs. James graduated from Iowa State University with a B.A. in Accounting and holds his Certified Public Accountant designation. James has been with Todd & Sargent since 2017.

Pat Taggart

Vice President – Field Operations

Pat Taggart is responsible for field operations at Todd & Sargent. His duties include overseeing safety, field construction teams, construction scheduling, and project quality assurance. He also oversees Todd & Sargent’s warehouse team. Pat graduated from Iowa State University with a B.S. in Agriculture Studies. Pat has been with Todd & Sargent since 1983.

Bryan Coussens, P.E.

Vice President – Design & Engineering

Bryan Coussens is responsible for all aspects of Todd & Sargent’s design and engineering function. Bryan manages Todd & Sargent’s team of engineers, drafters, and designers to meet our clients’ complex engineering needs. He provides structural, process, and value engineering for projects in the grain, feed, flour, biofuels, and specialty industries. Bryan also reviews projects for code requirements and compliance. Bryan is a member of the American Concrete Institute and the American Institute of Steel Construction. He graduated from Iowa State University with a B.A. in Civil Engineering. Bryan has been with Todd & Sargent since 1996.

Scott Sylvester

Vice President – Business Development

Scott Sylvester is responsible for developing and maintaining strong client and partner relationships as well as identifying new market opportunities at Todd & Sargent. He has over 20 years serving clients and partners in the Ag and Industrial construction markets. He is an active member with the Iowa Association of Business and Industry and past member of Food Processing Suppliers Association and Iowa Lean Consortium. Scott graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a General Studies degree, with an emphasis on communications and psychology.

Alex Kerrigan

Vice President – Project Development

Alex Kerrigan is responsible for project development at Todd & Sargent, bringing ag and industrial projects from concept to reality. Alex works closely with each client’s team to develop successful facility designs and compile comprehensive and competitive cost estimates. Alex is a member of the American Feed Industry Association, Grain Elevator and Processing Society, International Association of Operative Millers, and National Grain and Feed Association. Alex graduated from the University of Notre Dame. Alex has been with Todd & Sargent since 2002.

Rori Bouchard

President – Canada

Rori Bouchard leads our Canada team to fulfilling the company mission and vision and ensures our company lives its values every day. He has more than 15 years of industry experience, with specialized knowledge in all facets of the construction of ag-industrial facilities with experience as a project manager, business development director, and managing director, among other roles. Rori is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers & Geoscientists of Manitoba and Grain Elevator and Processing Society. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Management.

Jon Sargent

President & CEO

Jon Sargent provides overall strategic and corporate direction to Todd & Sargent. In his role as President & CEO, he focuses on setting the company’s vision, leading the company’s leadership team, and ensuring the company lives its values every day. Jon is a member of the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS), Construction Management Association, and former board member of Associated Builders & Contractors of Iowa. Jon graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.B.A. in Finance and from the University of Chicago with an M.B.A. in Economics. He is also a member of The Sargent Group, Inc. Board of Directors. Jon has been with Todd & Sargent since 2010.