Talking Shop with Ric Neubert, president and CEO of Delta Companies

For more than a century Delta Companies has crushed rock, paved roads and mixed concrete for customers throughout the region. President and CEO Ric Neubert recently shared with Southeast Missourian business reporter Brian Blackwell the ins and outs of the construction business and his life. A native of London, Ky., Neubert graduated from the University of Kentucky with a civil engineering degree. After college he worked in the Bluegrass State in the construction industry before moving to Cape Girardeau in August 1991.

Q: What is the most difficult part of your job? Has there ever been a time when you felt like giving up?

A: The most difficult part of my job can also be one of the most rewarding. Decisions that need to be made to ensure the future viability and health of the company can have a negative impact in other areas. Changes that negatively affect employees and associates are difficult. I have always tried to make sure that when are faced with difficult choices that I do the right thing. I never feel like giving up when facing challenges. In fact, I think tough challenges bring out the best in good people. I approach difficulties as an opportunity to be my best.

Q: What are some little-known facts about your company?

A: Delta Companies creates over 500 jobs annually in the region, contributes more than $22.5 million each year to personal income and almost $74 million to total sales revenue in Southeast Missouri. This is an annual economic impact of nearly $100 million to the Southeast Missouri economy.

Q: Has your company gone green? How much of a part does the green movement play in your field?

A: Delta Companies has made an effort to identify opportunities to reduce our energy consumption and carbon footprint. We incorporate LEED* credits in any expansion of our facilities. We are in the process of converting all of our asphalt plants from hot mix to warm mix. We call the new mix ecomat. This will reduce the temperature of the mix 30 degrees from traditional hot mix asphalt. This reduces the energy required to heat the material and the carbon footprint. This also improves the work environment for our employees and others at the worksite. In fact, the paving project on I-55 will be primarily warm mix. As of this writing, it is the largest warm mix project in the United States.

Q: How much has the economy hurt your field and when do you see work picking up again?

A: The economy has definitely hurt our industry. Non-Missouri Department of Transportation work has declined significantly over the last year. Compounding the [problems of the] construction industry is the expiration of the Federal Highway Bill in September. Reauthorization of the bill is uncertain. Tight budgets for companies and municipalities have reduced money for capital improvements. Reduced tax revenues have pressured all public agencies to reduce spending on nonessential services. Delta is preparing for a challenging 2010. I expect conditions to improve for our industry late next year.

Q: What percentage of your work is done here in Southeast Missouri?

A: Historically, about half of our revenue is generated in Southeast Missouri. Delta has 17 operations in 11 different communities. In Missouri, Delta provides aggregates, construction services, hot mix asphalt and ready mix concrete in the thirteen contiguous counties in the southeast corner of Missouri. We provide the same services, except for ready mix concrete, for 16 contiguous counties in Southern Illinois. In Arkansas, we operate in northeast corner of the state providing hot mix asphalt and construction services.

Q: Do you think the stimulus package has helped your company? Is the stimulus package a good thing?

A: The stimulus package has helped our company in some areas. In Missouri, MODOT was a leader in understanding the stimulus program and having projects ready to go. We were successful bidder on a large project to repave I-55. The stimulus also added revenue for MODOT projects that would have been delayed due to decreased funds available for transportation.

Q: What are your hobbies and why you do them?

A: My wife and I have a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old. I spend a great deal of my free time with them. While they are a challenge at times, their spirit and inquisitiveness are an inspiration.

Q: Who were the major influences in your life and why?

A: My parents were a great influence for me. They instilled the idea that the only limits placed on individuals are self imposed. The path may be different, but effort and perseverance is usually the main ingredient for success in any endeavor. Joe Regenhardt is a major influence in my professional life. He taught me the importance of character, not only at work, but in your personal life. My wife, Christy, is the major influence in my life today. She has helped me stop and smell the roses.

Q: If you could sit down to a meal with any three people, who would they be and why?

A: Jerry Seinfeld. I don't know if he would be as amusing in person as he is on TV, but I find him very funny. Joe Montana. I would like to know if all the stories about his observations in the huddle at the Super Bowl are true. Emeril Lagasse. I would want him to prepare lunch. I would not want to disappoint Jerry and Joe.

* The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System. LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.