Josh serves as Chief Strategy Officer for Owen-Ames-Kimball, a West Michigan based commercial construction contractor. Utilizing his two decades of experience in the commercial construction industry, Josh specializes in planning and delivering institutional construction projects, process management, and business strategy. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University and a Master’s in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. He is a licensed and registered Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan and a LEED Accredited Professional.
Josh actively volunteers at board, committee, and coach levels with Cannonsburg Challenged Ski Association, John Ball Zoo, Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, Forest Hills Youth Ski Team, and St. Thomas the Apostle School.
Josh, you have years of Senior Executive leadership experience. Who are the people who have had a profound influence on you and your leadership style?
I’ve had the benefit of learning from many great leaders who’ve invested in me and taken an interest in my career. If I started naming names, it would be hard to stop. As a firm believer in Jim Rohn’s philosophy, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with,” I have noticed if you have a great leader in your life, you have both a model to intentionally follow, and you organically pick up that person’s traits. Spend time with people who reflect your values and the person you’d like to become. If you don’t have a good leadership example, model, or mentor, invest in seeking them out.
Talk to us about company culture. What are some values that you and your team live by?
Company culture has always mattered, but I don’t think business leaders always recognized the extent to which it mattered, especially in a market of plentiful labor. The importance of culture is indisputable today – it has become THE most important factor in both employee and client attraction and retention. Culture impacts the way we interact with one another, the way we feel, and ultimately the work that we do.
At O-A-K we have a strong culture of trust. We also have a high degree of autonomy. I trust that others will honor their commitments and we able to count on each other, not just internally but also through our partnerships with clients, architects, and trade contractors. That dynamic also comes a level of humility and servitude. I use the phrase “serve others well” frequently. Are we providing best-in-class solutions? Are we utilizing all our resources to solve issues collaboratively? And are we telling our teams and clients what they need to hear, even when it’s not what they want to hear? We routinely ask ourselves these questions. Because we have a culture of trust, we’re able to serve each other well, ask and answer the tough questions, and everything else falls into place.
We know you are someone who gives back to the community in many meaningful ways. Tell us about a cause that is near to your heart.
I’ve been a volunteer with the Cannonsburg Challenged Ski Association (CCSA) for over 10 years. This organization provides adaptive equipment, instruction, and funding to ensure people with a range of physical and cognitive disabilities have access to alpine skiing. Many of our athletes would not be able to align all of the necessary resources without assistance of a program like CCSA. The group has modeled inclusion for over 40 years – well ahead of their time. Having an outdoor activity to look forward to during West Michigan winters changes your whole perspective on the season, especially for those with a disability. Although not all our athletes are able to verbally communicate the same way I can, the happiness and gratitude always shine through, and it’s contagious.
When I speak with other business leaders in West Michigan and the Lakeshore, one very consistent and inspiring trend is the amount of community service work in our region. Almost all successful leaders in our area have poured themselves into one or more causes that make life better for all of us in West Michigan.
What is a book that you’ve read or an influencer that you watch that has made you a better leader?
The classic “How to Win Friends and Influence People” (Carnegie) is still as relevant today as it was when written 85 years ago. I slant left brained and need fairly consistent reminders to practice empathy. A personal approach goes a long way. I try to consume a book on the business bestseller track every month or two, industry publications, and remain a daily reader of the Wall Street Journal. The most recent read I stopped and took notes on was Extreme Ownership (Willink and Babin) – a must read for current and aspiring leaders. I also have a habit of immediately passing along any book or article I think worthy, so my library tends to be distributed throughout West Michigan. The remnants of the best books are random notepads containing my cliff notes.
Can you share why it is a priority to you to invest in economic development?
One of the beautiful things about the American organization of cities, townships, counties, and states is their ability to compete for businesses attention and physical location based on their business climate (talent, resources, legislative structure, etc.). Economic development is how we compete and demonstrate our region’s model as the best. It’s also how we bring new ideas, leaders, and businesses to our area, ensuring that our local economy isn’t just a zero-sum equation, but that it grows, adds value, and attracts capital from around the world. We all benefit by attracting and retaining best-in-class businesses that contribute to our local community, while serving customers around the world.