P.E.

Justin Kohlman, P.E., Named President of St. Louis-Based Schaeffer Electric Co.

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Timothy Chettle Moves to CEO of 88-year-old Electrical Contracting Company

               One of the St. Louis area’s oldest electrical contracting companies has announced new leadership.  Justin Kohlman, P.E., has been named president of Schaeffer Electric Co., succeeding Timothy Chettle who will serve as chief executive officer.  Founded in 1935, Schaeffer has grown to become one of the region’s leading residential, commercial and industrial electrical contractors.  Schaeffer is an employee-owned company that reported revenues of $25.5 million in 2021 and employs 96. 

                “Since joining Schaeffer in 2011, Justin has pushed the company to evolve in all areas of business,” noted Chettle. “From accounting and technology to BIM and estimating systems, he has been a part of each transformation.  After taking over the estimating department in 2016, the company has grown 20% in overall revenue and continues to take on larger, more complex projects.” 

                Schaeffer is an IBEW-signatory contractor and performs a broad array of complex projects. Most recently that includes:

  • Electrical and communications installations for the new KMOV-TV headquarters in Maryland Heights, Mo.
  • Smart parking garages for Mercy, SSM SLU Hospital and Washington University
  • A data center expansion for Verizon in Downtown St. Louis
  • The new Rehabilitation Hospital for Mercy on its South St. Louis County campus
  • Medium voltage loop work along with power and lighting for the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park’s animal barns in north St. Louis County
  • The Streets of Caledonia medical office building for SSM Health in O’Fallon, Mo.

Kohlman has orchestrated industrial electrical projects for nearly 20 years.  He is actively involved in the electrical industry serving the board of directors St. Louis Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and chairing the NECA management development committee. Kohlman earned degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Missouri – Columbia.

Kohlman will be supported by a leadership team that includes Senior Vice President David

Bradley and vice presidents, Carolyn Conboy and Michael Lucas.  As CEO, Chettle will remain on the Schaeffer board of directors and help guide the leadership team.

Schaeffer Electric was founded during the Great Depression by Carl Schaeffer, who initially ran the business out of his Soulard home.  He was succeeded by his son Gerald in 1969. Daniel Schaeffer succeeded his father, Gerald, as the third generation of owner in 1990. Chettle became the first “non-Schaeffer” to lead the company in 2011 after joining the firm in 1990. The firm is headquartered at 4667 Green Park Rd in South St. Louis County.

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Castle Contracting Design Manager Amy Huller, P.E., Honored With 2021 Women in Construction Recognition

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Amy Huller, P.E., design manager in the civil design-build group at Castle Contracting, LLC, has earned recognition on the 2021 Constructech Women in Construction list. She’s the only St. Louis-based honoree in the seventh-annual awards program, which recognizes the most successful women working within the construction industry and embracing technology.

An experienced design engineer, project manager and GIS specialist, Huller oversees site development projects on a broad range of commercial, residential, healthcare, mixed-use and industrial developments. Her involvement spans from early concept design to construction administration.

Huller also serves as a bridge between the design and construction disciplines, collaborating closely with her construction colleagues to leverage technology and improve the quality and efficiency of project deliverables.

Since joining Castle in 2018, Huller has helped the company expand its design-build project volume by more than 200%. She frequently engages with developers and other potential clients to help educate them on the benefits of the civil design-build delivery approach.

“In-house civil design is a unique service offering for a civil construction company, and Amy’s expertise helps Castle clients make informed decisions and experience a smooth construction process without surprises,” said Christie Brinkman, director of design-build at Castle Contracting. “As an influential leader within the design and construction community, she is deserving of this recognition.”

A 14-year Girl Scout troop leader, Huller takes seriously her role in introducing young women to potential careers in engineering and other STEM fields. She currently mentors eight high school seniors (including her youngest daughter) and helps them to build confidence, learn difficult skills and achieve success.

For the last 10 years, Huller has been a camp director for the Belleville Swansea Girl Scout service unit. This has involved organizing Camp Wonders of Water, a technology-based journey where participants learn how to conserve and reuse water as well as how the wastewater treatment process works.

She also serves as small craft instructor and teaches young girls how to canoe and operate small sailboats, kayaks and paddleboards.

Chosen by a group of former winners and the Constructech editorial team, the 2021 Women in Construction winners were selected from more than 100 nominees. Learn more about the honorees.

Castle Contracting, LLC provides turnkey site preparation and design-build services, site utilities, earthwork and trenchless technology directly to owners; general contractors; and mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection contractors. The company’s earthmoving expertise is visible throughout the St. Louis region and from coast to coast. Castle’s recent civil contracting projects in St. Louis include Gateway Arch National Park, the East End transformation of Washington University’s Danforth campus, Next NGA West, and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis Neuroscience Research Building.

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