OUR LEADERSHIP

RJ Ryan Construction’s story begins in 1978 when it was founded by Ronald J. Ryan PE.  Under Ron’s 28 years of leadership, the company grew to one of the top general contracting firms in the area. 

With years of industry-leading excellence and our employees’ dedication  to exemplary work and customer service , have empowered RJ Ryan’s work throughout the years.  As a leading commercial contractor , we go above and beyond on every project and deliver on our promises with integrity.  

JACK GROTKIN

President

President Jack Grotkin’s commitment to excellence and dedication to professionalism have continued to exceed industry standards. He has done this by forming strong professional partnerships based on integrity, ingenuity, and reliability since 1985. These characteristics, along with a deep-rooted tie to the construction industry, have enabled Jack and RJ Ryan to become one of the most recognized and respected names in contracting.

JEREMY THOMAS

Executive Vice President

Jeremy Thomas, LEED AP has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry.  He has been part of every task imaginable in the building process. He started out as a Project Manager and then with more involvement and dedication honed his skills into a Senior Project Manager.  Utilizing these years of hands-on experience to now manage the many details of RJ Ryan as Executive Vice President. In all of the years since, his attention-to-detail and commitment to owner satisfaction have been integral to his success in construction.

NATE RYAN

Vice President

With over a decade of experience in the construction industry, Nate Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every project. His impressive track record includes managing a diverse array of projects—spanning industrial, automotive, office, and retail sectors. Having overseen the completion of more than five million square feet of commercial construction, Nate has demonstrated a knack for handling complex and challenging projects. His meticulous attention to detail and commitment to open communication have been pivotal in driving RJ Ryan’s ongoing success.

AARON WALLER

Vice President

Aaron Waller brings 15 years of expertise to the Design, Development, and Construction industry, showcasing a dynamic career that spans various facets of the field. Having overseen the management of over 8 million square feet of construction throughout the Midwest, Aaron is adept at delivering key project milestones and consistently ensuring the success of each endeavor. With a proven track record in driving successful outcomes, he is a dedicated professional who thrives in high-pressure situations, ensuring the seamless execution of projects from inception to completion.

JOHN GROTKIN, PE

Vice President

John Grotkin has over a decade of experience in the construction industry. He is a registered civil/structural engineer and specializes in both large- and small-scale design build projects. John has a keen eye for detail, taking projects from inception to completion. Working with clients daily, conducts site meetings, and communicates with the project design/construction team to ensure he provides the customer with the best service throughout the life of the project.

ABEL HEIN

General Superintendent

Abel began his career in construction with RJ Ryan over 30 years ago. Since he started, he has risen through the ranks to General Superintendent, with responsibility for the field operations. He oversees all construction in the field to ensure that all projects contracted with R.J. Ryan are completed on time, within budget and to the highest quality available in the industry.

RONALD J. RYAN 

Founder

Ron graduated in 1966 with a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota.  After completing graduate work at George Washington University in Washington, DC, Ron embarked upon a career in the field of structural engineering.  In 1978 R.J. Ryan Construction was founded by Ronald J. Ryan PE.  In December 2006, Ron retired as President of RJ Ryan Construction.