Keeley'n Spotlight: Jacob Schaefer

Keeley Construction offers a world-class internship experience to numerous college students from across the country every summer. We pride ourselves on welcoming these students and giving them the tools and resources they need to find their passions in the industry. We love being able to foster a new generation of Keeley’ns including Jacob Schaefer, Assistant Superintendent in the Building Group.

Jacob joined the Keeley Family as a Project Engineer Intern with the Building Group during the summer of 2019. After working and learning all summer, Jacob was offered a full-time position as a Project Engineer upon his graduation in May 2020. He officially joined the Keeley Team, but quickly learned during his time as a Project Engineer that he loved being out in the field, so he decided to pivot and pursue the Superintendent route. He was given full support from leadership and was recently promoted to Assistant Superintendent on Keeley Construction and Keeley Properties’ exciting Olive Crossing Development. In his two years at Keeley, Jacob has continuously felt empowered in his work. He feels comfortable stepping out of his comfort zone and taking on new tasks that are outside of his typical role. When he wanted to spend more time in the field, his Project Manager encouraged him and worked to get him to some jobs in Tennessee. This experience in the field helped Jacob learn even more about the ins and outs of the business and gave him a deeper appreciation for our craftspeople that are out there every day.

A man with a beard is wearing a black shirt and standing in front of a window.

Jacob knew he had an interest in the construction industry from a young age. He always enjoyed watching projects progress around him and started to work some smaller construction jobs during his time in high school and college. He is grateful to be at Keeley and loves that he is able to work with so many different people on a daily basis. He enjoys spending time with the field crews, listening to the team tell stories about their past experience and how they learned from their mistakes to grow their careers. This is a booming industry and there is always a need for construction, so if Jacob could give a piece of advice to those just starting out, it would be:

“Take the time to sit back and listen to others and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be a sponge and soak in as much information as you can from leadership to craftspeople in the field and everyone in between. Keeley is great about giving you a lot of responsibilities and when you need help, all you have to do is speak up and ask.”

Jacob may just be starting out his career, but he has a strong vision for his future. He wants to continue his personal and professional growth to get him into a Superintendent role. He enjoys the day-to-day tasks of coordinating with subcontractors and working with Keeley’s self-perform crews, so he is excited to continue to gain more experience on Keeley’s large projects as the Building Group continues to grow.

After his internship and joining the team full-time, Jacob knew that he found his career destination. He strives to live out Keeley’s core values – PRIDE – every day and he sees Empowerment lived out in every Keeley’n. Everyone is empowered to set career goals and with the support from leadership and team members, you are able to achieve those goals. Keeley places such a strong emphasis on safety and every team member, no matter their role or title, is empowered to stop any unsafe act and correct the work if it does not meet our expectations.

As for why others should make Keeley their career destination?

“I get to come into work every day and work with people from all different backgrounds and experiences. Everyone at Keeley is invested in the growth and development of the company and so many opportunities are available to our people. As Rusty always says, ‘If you get the people right, the results will follow.’”

Jacob, thank you for your passion for growth and development. You are exactly the type of Keeley’n we need with an excitement for growing the Building Group. You are going to achieve amazing things!

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Keeley Construction Industrial Group Partners with IKO

By Allison Kortkamp • January 15, 2026

Keeley Construction’s Industrial Group is proud to partner with IKO on the construction of a new crushing and coloring plant, supporting the company’s continued growth through a complex, full-scope industrial build. The project includes the construction of multiple buildings, the installation of all equipment & conveyors, and complete site utility work. This project will be delivered on an aggressive 18-month schedule. Keeley’s integrated self-perform teams will execute the work, with the Civil Group handling all civil and concrete scopes and the Steel Erection and Millwright teams leading building erection and equipment installation. “We’re proud to support IKO’s first shingle granular plant in the U.S. and look forward to building a strong, lasting partnership,” said John Herrin, Vice President at Keeley Construction. “Being selected by IKO for this project is a testament to our Industrial Group’s expertise and our ability to safely and efficiently deliver complex industrial work.” IKO emphasized the importance of selecting a trusted partner for this milestone project. “When selecting a contractor for the construction of the Bismarck Granule plant, our team performed a thorough analysis looking for a responsive partner who would be able to successfully execute the project,” said Helen Pejnovich, Regional Manufacturing Director at IKO. “We selected Keeley based on their capability and reputation in the St. Louis area. The fact that both companies are family owned and share values really validated we were making the right decision in choosing Keeley for this important venture for our U.S. operations.” This initial project marks the start of a new partnership with IKO and reflects a shared commitment to safety, coordination, and execution excellence. As IKO continues to expand, Keeley Construction looks forward to supporting future growth with reliable, performance-driven solutions. About IKO: IKO is a global manufacturer of roofing, waterproofing, and insulation products with operations throughout North America and beyond. Family-owned and operated, IKO is committed to innovation, quality, and long-term partnerships that support its customers and communities. About Keeley Construction: Keeley Construction Group was founded in 1975 as a family-owned paving company. Over five decades and 1,700+ Keeley’ns later, Keeley Construction has offices across the nation and is proud to provide world-class service in various market sectors. Guided by a steadfast mission, vision, and core values, Keeley Construction strives to exceed expectations on every project, giving customers the service they demand with the quality and safety they deserve.