Garney Acquires Colorado-Based Firm
Oct 2011
Garney Holding Company announced its latest expansion with the acquisition of Weaver General Construction, based out of Englewood, Colorado. Weaver specializes in the construction of water and wastewater facilities with an emphasis in Construction Management (CM) based delivery. Acquiring Weaver will boost Garney’s CM capabilities while gaining access to several important customers with whom Weaver has strong relationships. The new entity will be known as Weaver Construction Management, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Garney Holding Company.
In addition to Weaver’s CM strengths and client relationships, Garney was attracted to their culture, which closely mimics the strong culture and core values at Garney. Wes Weaver, founder and principal of the company, will remain on board to transition his operations and customer relationships over to the new company.
“All employee-owners here at Garney welcome the Weaver folks into the family,” said Mike Heitmann, Garney President and CEO. “We are fortunate to have acquired a dedicated, hard-working team of people at Weaver and we look forward to tackling new opportunities with our combined forces. We now have an opportunity to learn from Weaver’s strengths as well as show them the strengths of Garney, thereby enabling both organizations to continue leading the water and wastewater industry.”
Weaver and its predecessor companies have been in business since 1951. Throughout their 60-year history, Weaver has successfully completed numerous treatment facilities, industrial plants, educational facilities, and office buildings throughout the Western United States. Weaver has performed work for numerous repeat clients who substantiate their quality of work. They are a hometown company in the Denver area and their great reputation is the key determinant of their past success.
Garney Names New President / CEO
Oct 2011
Mike Heitmann has been named President and CEO of Garney Construction. He will oversee company-wide strategic planning and business development from its headquarters in Kansas City. Heitmann has spent his entire career at Garney, starting at the company after graduating from the University of Kansas more than 20 years ago. He most recently led the development of Garney’s water and wastewater capabilities in the private and industrial markets.
Garney leaders appreciate Heitmann’s loyalty to and vision for the company. “Garney started as a family company, and even though we’ve expanded considerably, we’re still a family of more than 700 employee-owners,” said Charles Garney, who started the company in 1961 and now serves on its Board of Directors. “A key moment in our history was my interview with Mike Heitmann and his decision to join Garney back in 1990. It has been a real pleasure watching him develop over the years, and I am very proud of his latest achievement being named President and CEO.”
Heitmann’s selection is the culmination of a three-year transition to a new generation of senior leadership at Garney. “The resulting new organizational structure was built on proven performers at Garney with an eye on future market opportunities and a strong desire to continue a legacy of consensus management,” said Board Chairman Robert Millwee. “The current Officer Team has worked well together during the transition and is positioned for continued success.”
Heitmann believes Garney’s greatest strength lies in its 100 percent employee ownership. “Garney is a very unique organization and I am proud to be a part of it,” he said. “Employee ownership has created a culture of honesty, integrity and excellence. It is a great honor to be a member of the leadership team and to work with such dedicated and loyal employee-owners.”