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It is with deep respect that we honor the legacy of Charles Garney, a leader whose vision, humility, and unwavering commitment to others shaped not only our company but also the community and industry at large. Charles was a leader who believed that true success was measured by the impact made on those around him—whether that meant fostering an environment of employee ownership, championing innovation, or mentoring future leaders. His life’s work was guided by a deep sense of integrity, generosity, and dedication to both family and the broader community.

Building a Legacy of Shared Ownership

From the outset of his leadership, Charles championed the idea that success should be shared with those who helped build it. Beginning with profit-sharing initiatives in the 1970s, he laid the groundwork for the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 1986. Over the course of a decade, he led the transition to full employee ownership, and in 1995, Garney became 100% employee owned. This decision became a defining feature of Charles’s leadership and a hallmark of Garney.

An Industry Leader & Mentor

Under his guidance, Garney flourished, becoming a model of employee ownership and inspiring other companies to become employee owned. Charles was known for his entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to share his knowledge, mentoring future leaders within Garney and beyond. His influence extended throughout the city, particularly in the Northland area, where his contributions helped fuel economic development and uplift the community. Known for saying, “I’ve bounced off a lot of walls in my life,” he embraced an entrepreneurial spirit and inspired others to grow, both professionally and personally.

Family & Community at His Core

Even with all he accomplished, Charles was always grounded in his commitment to family. His wife, Patty, their six daughters, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the true heart of his life. A lover of James Taylor’s music, the lyric “Shower the people you love with love” embodies the core of Charles’s character. He always prioritized family and community over personal recognition, consistently lifting those around him.

A Legacy of Humility & Generosity

Raised working alongside his father, Art, who immigrated and started a plumbing business, Charles learned the values of hard work, humility, and generosity early on. These values guided him throughout his career, where he prioritized the success of others, especially those within Garney.

His life’s work was devoted to empowering the people around him, creating a profound and lasting impact that resonates throughout Garney, shaping its culture and inspiring future generations of employees. His influence will continue to guide and elevate the company for years to come.

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Kansas City, MO. – Garney, the national leader in water and wastewater construction, announces a strategic partnership with RodRadar, a technology company specializing in real-time underground utility detection during excavation. This collaboration significantly advances excavation safety, efficiency, and utility strike prevention through RodRadar’s innovative Live Dig Radar® (LDR) technology. 

Garney is committed to leveraging advanced technology to drive efficiency and safety. Over the past year, the company has invested substantial resources in researching, developing, and implementing solutions like RodRadar’s LDR system. “At Garney, we continuously seek innovations and technologies that increase the safety of our work zones and enhance the way we build. This benefits our employees, clients, municipal and other service providers, and their customers.” said David Burkhart, CEO at Garney. 

Garney identified RodRadar’s groundbreaking technology in 2023 and initiated pilot testing in early 2024. Following the pilot’s success, Garney expanded its adoption of LDR Excavate™ buckets, evolving the partnership into a commercial collaboration supporting RodRadar’s ongoing product development, including larger bucket models for Garney’s fleet of 35-MT excavators. 

The LDR system integrates real-time radar technology into excavator digging buckets, enabling continuous detection of underground utilities across various soil types while excavating. The system generates immediate visual alerts in the excavator cabin, enabling operators to avoid hidden utilities and significantly reduce the risk of strikes. Unlike traditional Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), the LDR system delivers real-time data during excavation, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. 

“RodRadar’s Live Dig Radar® technology is transformative for our industry. In our pilot testing, the LDR system significantly reduced utility strikes, allowing us to deliver safer projects for our clients while boosting productivity. We’re thrilled to partner with RodRadar and support their mission to make utility strikes a thing of the past,” said Clay Greene, Department Manager of Construction Technology at Garney. 

Founded in 2013, RodRadar is at the forefront of underground utility detection technology advancements, continually pushing excavation safety and efficiency boundaries. “We are proud to strategically partner with Garney, a leading contractor in the United States. Together, we share a passion for innovation in the construction industry and a commitment to enhancing jobsite safety and operational efficiency,” said Moshe Dalman, CEO and Co-Founder at RodRadar. 

This strategic partnership enhances Garney’s ability to deliver safer projects and enables the company to participate in RodRadar’s ongoing research and development efforts. Garney will host on-site testing sessions to refine the LDR system further and meet the growing demands of complex infrastructure projects.

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Newport News, Virginia – In early May, Garney and the rest of the James River Crossing (JRX) team achieved a groundbreaking milestone by completing the longest pullback of a 42-inch HDPE pipe. In a remarkable feat of teamwork and craftsmanship, crews successfully pulled a 5,700-foot pipeline with the assistance of a pipe pusher under the Newport News shipping channel—the sixth busiest port in the U.S.—in roughly 24 hours.

This monumental task was a critical component in the Hampton Roads Sanitation District’s (HRSD) Sustainable Water Initiative for Tomorrow (SWIFT) program, an innovative water treatment initiative, aimed at ensuring groundwater sustainability and enhancing water quality for the Chesapeake Bay region. The newly installed pipeline will connect the new Boat House Pump Station with the Nansemond Treatment Plant on the opposite bank of the James River.

The operation began with the fully fused pipeline being towed across the James River, escorted by marine police for safety. Once across, the pipeline was positioned for the land-to-water pullback. Crews used a pipe pusher on a platform in the water to thread the pipe and engage it throughout the pullback process. This novel technology was instrumental in reducing the pull forces on the million-pound landside drill rig, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation without overstressing the pipe.

The force main pipeline is essential to the SWIFT program’s goals of replenishing the Potomac Aquifer and improving water treatment processes to meet new nutrient targets for drinking water. Previously, treated wastewater was discharged into the James River. With the new pipeline, this water will now be transported to the Nansemond Treatment Plant for additional processing, increasing HRSD’s drinking water capacity. This process will enable HRSD to dispense 120 million gallons per day (MGD) of purified water into the Potomac Aquifer, ensuring the sustainability of groundwater resources for current and future use in Eastern Virginia.

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Kansas City, MO – Garney hosted its inaugural Construction Camp to inspire and educate high school girls about diverse career opportunities within the construction industry. This two-week immersive program ran from June 3 to June 14 and provided hands-on experiences, mentorship, and invaluable insights into various facets of construction careers. 

“We believe it’s crucial to empower young women and introduce them to vast opportunities available within our field,” said Yvonne Waterman, Director of Human Resources. “This camp serves as a platform to foster interest, provide exposure, and ignite passion among high school girls toward construction careers, whether in the field or behind the scenes.” 

The students learned hands-on from several local industry leaders and female industry leaders like Brandy McCombs, President at IBC and Chairwoman of The Builders, a local chapter of the AGC. Camp Garney is not just about wielding tools; it’s a comprehensive exploration of the industry, covering everything from office work like marketing and graphic design to hands-on field activities. 

Participants engaged in a variety of enriching experiences, including: 

• CPR and First Aid Training: Essential life-saving skills crucial for any workplace. 
• Community Service: Building benches that transform into picnic tables for local elementary schools. 
• Hands-on Building Projects: From marshmallow rocket launchers to cement pavers, learning construction fundamentals.
• Financial Literacy: Budgeting exercises, ensuring they have the financial acumen for their future careers. 
• Equipment Operation: Insight into operating heavy machinery. 
• Virtual Reality Training: Participants immersed themselves in virtual environments, exploring water plants and gaining exposure to cutting-edge technology. 
• Graphic Design: Garney’s graphic design team taught about the importance of visual communication. 
• Marketing Education: Garney’s maketing team led training and development sessions, covering essential skills for promoting and managing construction projects. 
• HR, Training & Development, Accounts Payable: Insights from Garney’s HR and accounts payable teams offered a comprehensive understanding of construction projects’ administrative and financial aspects. 

 “Our camp isn’t just about learning; it’s about empowerment,” added Waterman. “We’re grateful for the support of all our partners who share our vision of promoting diversity and inclusivity in the construction industry.” 

The camp received overwhelming support from the community, with around 30 volunteers joining to educate and mentor. The accredited program offered high school credit through Raytown School District’s Enrichment Program.

Want to learn more? View more coverage on the camp on KCTV5. 

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We are proud to celebrate the retirements of Garney leaders Mike Heitmann, CEO Emeritus, and Scott Parrish, President Emeritus. In the fall of 2023, Garney welcomed a new executive leadership team, including CEO David Burkhart and Presidents Matt Foster and Matt Reaves, marking a new chapter for Garney. This transition is not merely a change of guard but a strategic plan that propels Garney into a future marked by secure retirements for employee-owners, holistic water solutions, and maintaining its reputation as the nation’s top water contractor.

While we’ve celebrated the beginning of a new chapter for Garney, we want to reflect on the successes of the previous chapter’s leadership and their legacy. Mike Heitmann, CEO at Garney from 2011-2023, is retiring at the end of March.

Mike spent his entire 34-year career at Garney, helping shape the company into the powerhouse it is today. Starting out as a Project Administrator after graduating from the University of Kansas in 1990, Mike quickly learned the ropes in the field, traveling around the country to build projects. In the mid-90s, he established a presence for the company in the Southeast, propelling Garney into the industrial sector. Clients like Southern Company, International Paper, and Westinghouse Electric were added to Garney’s growing repertoire of private work. Mike eventually relocated back to Kansas with his family in the mid-2000s and was named Vice President before becoming President and CEO in 2011.

Mike always had a vision for marketing, business development, and high-level strategy that drove the company forward. His humble and down-to-earth leadership style proved massively effective. Under his guidance, the firm grew from 720 employees and $422 million in revenue in 2011 to more than 2,000 employees and $1.8 billion in revenue in 2023.

In retirement, Mike is excited to pursue his passions of restoring old, historic buildings, traveling the world with his wife, Susan, and visiting their four daughters.

We congratulate Scott Parrish, President Emeritus at Garney, on his retirement. Scott dedicated his career to the company, starting out in the field in 1988 under the tutelage of his father, Jerry Parrish, a Superintendent at Garney. He transitioned to the office, becoming a Project Manager who oversaw the construction of pipeline projects throughout Texas and the Midwest, before relocating to Kansas City in 1995. He was named President in 2018.

Scott has always led with energy and assertiveness. His drive for continuous improvement and standard of excellence elevated those who worked around him. Scott always maintained strong relationships with clients, engineers, and vendors, which strengthened Garney’s brand and reputation in the water industry. He played a key role in positioning Garney as a leading contractor and CMAR in the Texas market. Scott was instrumental to the success of many of Garney’s largest pipe projects to date, including the monumental Vista Ridge Water Supply Project—the largest P3 water project in North America.

In retirement, Scott looks forward to spending more time with his daughters and father, enjoying the fresh Colorado mountain air, and staying connected and traveling with fellow retired Garney employee-owners.

Mike and Scott have each left a profound impact on Garney and generations of employee-owners past, present, and future. We thank them for their many years of service and tireless dedication to the company, and we wish them both the best in retirement!

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Garney welcomes a new CEO and two new Presidents as long-time employee-owners prepare to retire in April 2024. David Burkhart will take over as CEO in October 2023, as Mike Heitmann, current CEO, prepares to retire next spring. Heitmann has been Garney’s CEO since 2011 and has spent his entire 33-year career with the company. Scott Parrish, Garney’s current President, will also retire this spring, ushering in Matt Foster as President of Pipe Operations and Matt Reaves as President of Plant Operations beginning this fall. Parrish started his career with Garney in 1988 working in the field and has served as President since 2018.

“Garney’s next chapter is in good hands under our new leadership” said Heitmann. “I’m fortunate to have spent my entire career with Garney, and I can’t think of a better company I could have worked for. For our next chapter, David Burkhart has the skillset, courage, and vision to propel Garney even farther.”

Burkhart began his career with Garney in 2005 traveling around the country building and managing projects from the Rocky Mountains to Florida, consecutively leading the largest projects at the time for the company. During a 10-year stay in the Texas market, he established Garney as an industry leader for large-scale collaborative delivery projects before returning to Kansas City in 2022. Today, 85 percent of Garney’s current work is built through collaborative delivery methods, including design-build and construction manager at risk.

Burkhart received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Kansas and has spent his entire professional career at Garney. As CEO, his responsibilities include establishing a clear vision and direction for the company, leading long-term strategic planning and growth, developing and managing the overall company structure, and leading the executive team. Within Garney, Burkhart serves on councils involving Safety; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB); Risk Management; and Equipment. He was also an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Trustee for the firm for several years. Garney has been 100% employee owned since 1995.

Coming from a family of educators with roots in the farming communities of western Kansas, Burkhart learned first-hand the values of hard work, integrity, commitment, and supporting others to reach their full potential. Today, he maintains a small farm and ranch operation outside of Kansas City, keeping him close to his roots and serving as a constant reminder of these values.

“Garney has been a self-performing contractor for more than 60 years with a reputation second to none in the water industry,” Burkhart said. “We’ve had tremendous growth and success and will continue to build on this. Moving forward, we’ll add to these skillsets, providing even more complete water solutions for our clients and secure retirements for our employees through our ESOP. This is our sustainable future. I’ve spent my entire career with Garney and am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to lead our people into this next chapter.”

Foster and Reaves have also spent the entirety of their careers with Garney. Foster will be responsible for the organization and management of Garney’s pipeline operations nationwide. He started his career with Garney in 1993 after graduating from Kansas State University. Starting out in the field, Foster traveled around the U.S. building water and sewer pipelines from the Rocky Mountains to the coasts of Virginia. He developed an expertise in large diameter pipelines installed in varying ground conditions around the country, and many of his projects have involved specialized piping materials, unique and challenging construction methods, and collaborative project delivery methods. Foster has served as COO of Western Pipe Operations since 2018 and is based in Garney’s North Kansas City headquarters.

Reaves will be responsible for the organization and management of Garney’s plant operations nationwide. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Civil Engineering and joined Encore Construction right out of college (Encore was acquired by Garney in 2012). Reaves began his career in Florida, then traveled around the Southeast supporting and developing operations in various positions and regions. Since joining the industry in 2005, he has managed nearly $2 billion worth of water and wastewater utility infrastructure projects across the U.S., including numerous collaborative delivery projects. Reaves was named Executive Vice President in 2022 and is based in Garney’s Charlotte, North Carolina, office.

“The future of Garney is secure as we welcome David, Matt, and Matt to their new roles in executive leadership,” said Parrish. “All three are highly capable and motivated to continue serving the interests of our employee-owners. It has been an honor to serve the employee-owners of Garney for the last 35 years. Mike and I have been fortunate enough to serve as CEO and President, but the real success of Garney is driven by the leadership team and the committed employees who are the engine of our company. To all those hard-working individuals, I say ‘thank you.’ You have my admiration and respect.”

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Weather patterns in 2021 created ideal wildfire conditions along Colorado’s Front Range. The fall was unusually warm and dry, while winter presented the latest date in Denver history for first snowfall of the season. These circumstances, alongside an unknown spark (or two) and 115-mile-per-hour winds, led to the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history. The fire extended over 6,000 acres and burned more than 1,000 homes to the ground within Boulder County. The impacts of this catastrophe are still felt today. The Town of Superior, Colorado, was at the heart of this event and encountered an unexpected casualty: water quality. Ash and debris from the fires were deposited in and around the Town’s raw water storage facility, which existing treatment equipment was not prepared to handle. This led to the distribution of drinking water that had significant taste and odor issues, causing residents to transition to bottled water.

The Town of Superior, realizing their water quality issues would not be resolved without intervention, quickly brought on Dewberry Engineers to help brainstorm solutions to improve water quality. The design team began testing different treatment methods and determined the insertion of a granular activated carbon (GAC) system onto the backend of the existing treatment train would alleviate water quality concerns. After establishing what the treatment process should look like on paper, the Town acted immediately and purchased six GAC vessels without knowing where they would live, or how they would connect to the existing facility. The next step was determining how to insert these new GAC vessels into an existing and operating facility. Garney was brought onto the team to provide input on constructability, sequencing, and start-up with one goal in mind—to begin using the GAC system as soon as possible.

For this project, time was of the essence in every sense of the phrase. Every day that the GAC system was not online was another day that smoky, discolored water was being delivered to customers. On most construction projects, Garney encounters obstacles that need to be overcome for the project to move forward—things like moving existing utilities, permitting, providing input on design drawings, etc. When you add in the fact that there was a supply chain crisis for virtually all construction materials as well as inflation soaring at unprecedented levels, this project quickly had the odds stacked against it. Garney’s team began reaching out to its vast industry network in search of excess materials that could be used to expedite Superior’s project—things like valves, rebar, pipe, and actuators were all being quoted at six months or longer. This was not an option for the Town.

Through support from industry partners, heavy collaboration with both the Town of Superior and Dewberry, countless design iterations that improved the construction schedule, and an unrelenting spirit, Garney was able to start up the GAC system on July 15, 2022—just three months after receiving the first phone call from the Town and Dewberry. The determination and solution-oriented attitude of the entire team drove this project to completion and ultimately relieved the Town and its customers of its smoky water months before anyone thought was possible. This project is a prime example of a community coming back stronger than ever after a horrific disaster and is why it has been recognized as Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association (APWA) Colorado Chapter.

Written by Jared Baker, PE, Business Development / Preconstruction Manager at Garney

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In November 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This historic $1.2 trillion bill allocates $55 billion for our country’s water infrastructure. This investment includes funding for drinking water and wastewater treatment projects in hopes to expand access to drinking water to people across the country.

The IIJA includes significant opportunities for our clients and partners in the water market. Comparing the legislation to previous funding levels, it’s easy to see the increases from past financial support. The numbers show a significant increase in funding for water-related projects, including drinking, clean, storm, and delivery. For instance, the authorization of drinking water funds to the State Revolving Fund (SRF) is approximately 2.8 times more than previous appropriations. The funding authorized for clean water is approximately 1.8 times more than previous appropriations, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) civil budget continues to steadily grow and is approximately 55% more than the 2017 appropriation levels. Some traditional federal water programs, such as funding for the Bureau of Reclamation, are not showing significant increases, however, they did not lose ground and still have an authorized increase in funds.

Another change in the IIJA to our legislative water past is the significant focus for funding in underrepresented communities, which include small cities (<10,000 people), towns, and rural regions. We are interested to see how small communities and underrepresented communities will take advantage of these new funding opportunities. Hopefully, the number of regulations attached to the federal funds will not be a deterrent to communities that don’t have the resources to complete the necessary grant and proposal requests. If communities need help with regulatory requirements or proposal writing, Garney and its industry partners can provide assistance or direction as to how our stakeholder communities can navigate the federal aid process. Some of the new federal programs now allow for an outright grant of funds, whereas before, those same funds may have been provided as a loan. In addition, some of the loans are now at significantly reduced interest rates—or in some cases, zero interest. If underrepresented and marginalized communities can develop the proposals, these rule changes will make it easier and more cost-effective for them to build projects.

As for timing—when will we see these funds in tangible projects? Considering the amount of regulations, grants, and proposal writing required for the funds to flow through projects, it is reasonable to assume that the majority of these funds will not have a big impact on our market until 2023.

As a final point, whether the additional federal funding is for water/wastewater work or other areas of heavy infrastructure, the amount of funds available in the next five to ten years for projects in the infrastructure space will significantly increase. This infers that more labor resources will be required in the industry to execute the projects that are an outcome of this additional funding. Finding and developing enough craft workers and project management capable of executing in the construction industry will be a challenge and a requirement for bettering infrastructure in the United States for years to come.

Written by Jay McQuillen, Director of Federal Operations

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Garney’s public-private partnership (P3) business strategy continues to advance with the addition of David Bird as vice president of project finance and development. David will focus on growing Garney’s existing development pipeline of P3 water projects in North America.

Now with project finance and development capabilities, Garney can offer clients the entire spectrum of P3 capabilities through its own resources and those of its strategic partners to deliver water projects—from development to design, construction, operations, maintenance, and financing.

Climate change is driving the need for public water projects, including more creative projects involving reuse, regenerative farming, water banking, the use of currently non-potable water, and more efficiently treating solids in wastewater to reduce greenhouse gases. At the same time, there are public constraints in completing these projects—lack of upfront funds, low tolerance for risk, and little to no development staff at water agencies.

“Given that we’re solely focused on water, with several successful projects under our belt, and now the added expertise of financing, we’re uniquely positioned as the only construction firm in the water sector to provide an end-to-end offering,” said Garney CEO Mike Heitmann. Unlike most large concessionaires and contractors, Garney self-performs most of its work, making it a leaner organization while still maintaining the skills to help customers secure financing to successfully fund water projects, particularly large, complex projects.

Garney has completed more than $1.1 billion in P3 water projects since 2011, with numerous public-private projects currently in development. The award-winning Vista Ridge Water Supply project, the largest P3 water project in North American history, is an example. The new infrastructure expands San Antonio’s water supply by 20 percent. David Bird served as financial advisor to the Vista Ridge project.

The Garney P3 strategy is to partner with water rights holders, technology providers, water developers, and private equity to bring tailor-made projects to public and private sector clients, reducing their development risk. With the new financing services and the addition of David Bird to the Garney team, Garney is now a one-stop resource that brings seamless efficiency to every stage of a P3 project.

David joins Garney from Societe Generale, where he was a managing director focused on infrastructure finance and advisory. He spent the last 15 years raising debt and equity capital for infrastructure projects in a variety of sectors, including water, roads, ports, airports, and digital infrastructure. Through this work, David forged relationships with lending institutions, equity providers, developers, and rating agencies, which he now leverages on behalf of Garney clients to help them realize successful projects.

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In early August, employee-owner Jeff Seal and eight others from Garney traveled to the village of Los Limones, Guatemala, to oversee the finishing touches of a new water system installation. Prior to the installation, women and children of the village made treacherous hikes daily to collect buckets of water for their families—sometimes spending hours a day to collect water for a single meal. The villagers also told stories about contracting water-borne illnesses due to the uncleanliness of the water. It was time to make a change to better the lives of the Los Limones residents.

Construction of the water system consisted of a concrete spring catchment system, 12,000 feet of 2-inch transmission main, a concrete wet well and solar-powered pump, 13,000-gallon water tank, and 26,000 feet of distribution piping to 150 individual homes. The village residents provided their time and labor to construct the project. Garney, Lipscomb University, and other volunteers worked with Asociacion Para El Desarrollo Integral Comun Ak’ Yuam (ADICAY), a local engineering firm to help design, plan, and oversee construction of the project. In addition to building the new water system, the project team worked with the village to establish a water committee to maintain the water system.

The Garney employee-owners who accompanied Seal included Mike Heitmann, David Burkhart, Jay McQuillen, Jordan Carrier, Tom Roberts, Neil Ryan, Edwin (Felix) Cabrera, and Edgar Elias. Cabrera and Elias both have family living in Guatemala and were able to reconnect with them during downtime from the project.

“For me, knowing the impact that Garney’s contribution made to the villagers was very fulfilling. The immediate impact is the availability of water. The long-term impact is better educated children, lower infant mortality rates, and longer lifespans for the Mayan people,” said Garney CEO Mike Heitmann.

The project concluded on August 8, 2021, and now provides clean water to 150 families in the area. The villagers expressed great gratitude towards all parties involved. Garney is honored to be a part of this project and looks forward to returning to Guatemala to provide water to even more families.

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