In this insightful episode of the People-First Builders Podcast, host Fletcher Wimbush speaks with Ryan Schmidt, CEO and Visionary at Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. His 300-person firm is redefining success in heavy civil construction by building a culture centered on growth, ownership, and values-driven leadership.

Ryan shares the full story of how his firm nearly failed after a series of disastrous projects and financial hardship. Instead of cutting losses, he doubled down on his people. He opened the company books, shared real-time financials with everyone from laborers to executives, and began a journey toward full employee ownership through an ESOP.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• How Ryan guided Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, through its lowest point and emerged with a stronger team and culture

• Why every new hire, including laborers and field workers, goes through a structured two-day onboarding program led by Ryan himself

• How radical transparency and profit sharing created deep loyalty when the company was losing money

• What inspired the creation of “The Forge,” an internal training facility staffed by top performers turned full-time coaches

• How Ryan stepped back from day-to-day operations by naming a company president, allowing him to focus entirely on vision, people, and culture

• How the company conducts weekly all-staff financial huddles to help every employee think and act like an owner

• Why company values such as accountability, character, and team are reinforced through regular events, team breakfasts, and internal rituals

• How the team reacted when they received their first ESOP stock statements and saw the long-term rewards of ownership

• Why Ryan believes he is more fulfilled as a partner to his employee-owners than he ever was as a solo founder

Ryan’s story is not just about surviving adversity. It is about creating a business that invests in people at every level. From new hire training to internal leadership development and long-term wealth building, Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors' culture is built to last.

Whether you're a contractor, business owner, or simply passionate about values-based leadership, this episode offers a real-world blueprint for building a company that thrives through its people.