Quality + Service: Our Founding Principles

Larry Keeley’s founding principles guide everything we do.


“Quality and Service never go out of style.”


Matt Muller, Vice President of Quality, strives to live out this mission as he builds Keeley’s robust Quality Program, always keeping our people at the forefront of his mind. He recently sat down with Larry Keeley to discuss Larry’s journey over the past four decades since starting the business and how Quality is just as important now as it was back then. Watch the video below to learn more!

Two men wearing hard hats and safety vests are standing in front of a building under construction.


When Larry started the business as a young man in the 1970s, he knew his team needed to prove their ability in order to grow and make a name for themselves in the industry. They had to show their customers that they were knowledgeable, had a keen attention to detail, and dedicated to safety. However, to Larry, the most important things were an unmatched focus on quality and exceeding customer expectations.


“Quality and Service are a must. Quality stands for excellence and I told my people we have to do it right the first time because we don’t have time to come back and do it over. Also, the customer is paying for our services and for quality work. If you’re going to get repeat business, you have to give quality work and the service they expect.”

-Larry Keeley


We strive to provide our Keeley’ns with the tools and resources they need to understand quality and continually enhance our quality practices. Part of our mission statement, “The safety, well-being, and career growth of our team members are the benchmarks of our success,” drives us to grow our program and get buy-in from team members across every level of the organization. No matter the position, every single team member is empowered to bring their voice, opinions, and experience to help influence our program and make us better.


“Our Quality Program it’s just a series of checklists and a series of ‘musts and ‘must nots,’ it’s a training and it’s a coaching.”

-Matt Muller


Culture is one of the most important things at Keeley and when we all have a common mindset around Quality, it is engrained into our culture and showcased to our customers as we live it out on our projects. When our craftspeople finish a project with the highest levels of quality, they can take pride in knowing that they helped construct that building or pave that parking lot.


“I feel like we have the best quality people and program than anybody else in the area. I’m thrilled with the direction we are going…you’re getting better every day which helps the whole company get better.”

-Larry Keeley

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.
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