Greg Herrin
Vice President & Cincinnati Region Leader (Retired)
Messer Construction Company
Ron Watson
Owner and President
R.E. Watson Trucking and Watson Gravel Inc.
Ronnie's story spans over 60 years and epitomizes success in its true sense, achieved by applying his inherent tireless work ethic, business skills, and vision in the Aggregate and Trucking Industry in the Greater Cincinnati Region.
By his late teen years, Ronnie already demonstrated entrepreneurial attributes, including two years with a well-driller. His first significant business decision in 1964, purchasing one single-axle dump truck, began continued fleet growth over the next five years delivering sand and gravel aggregates across Cincinnati and nearby markets.
In 1969‐1970, Watson purchased property in the Ross/Millville area and received an Ohio permit for the site to operate his own first Sand and Gravel operation.
What followed was a series of successful business moves and operational and strategic growth in trucking and mining over the next 52 Years.
• 55 Trucks in Watson's current Gravel delivery fleet
• four year‐round operational Sand and Gravel plants
• 2 Seasonal operational Sand and Gravel plants
• 130 full-time employees, many of which have 20‐30 + years of service‐‐several remained involved well into their 70s and 80s
with Watson Gravel or Watson Trucking
• Ronnie's operations, since he entered the aggregate business in 1970, have mined, processed, and delivered over 100 MILLION tons of quality aggregates to customers in all sectors of the Greater Cincinnati Regional Markets (Federal, State, Industrial, Commercial and Residential)
• Ronnie's SW Ohio Operations are Ranked # 35 in the USA's TOP 100 Sand and Gravel Plants.
Ronnie has always been dedicated to serving the Ross community where he resides and operates.
• Supporting the local schools through donations for yearbooks, athletics, academic recognition, carnivals, and fairs
• Provides gravel materials for community projects, sand for playgrounds, and topsoil for horticultural projects
• Supporting Scouting and numerous participants in 4H local fairs
• He has offered over 40 Years of IMMEASURABLE support and membership in the Ross Lions Club. Of "special" note is Ronnie's "hands-on" handling of the Lion's Club Annual Hog Roast fundraising events throughout those 40 Years
• 6 Year term with Ohio's Aggregates Industry Association (OAIMMA) as a Board Member
• Board Member of the Butler County Port Authority
• President of the Venice Cemetery Board of Trustees
• Served terms as a Board member of (2) local Banks
With Ronnie's work ethic, there are NO "5 days a week/8 hours a day"‐‐ it's let's do "whatever it takes" and let's "get it done," "BUT SAFELY."
Operating a trucking and mining business requires strong leadership and high standards of excellence in areas around the mining sites. Ronnie has successfully made his operational sites aesthetically pleasing to the communities they are located in. Ronnie demands zero compromises at these locations as a highly respected industry operator. Landscaping, aesthetics, and plant appearance for the public have won "Watson Gravel Inc." many awards.
Ronnie's many years of experience in gravel mining, using the very efficient "Clam Bucket Dredging Methodology," has earned him the highest levels of respect from industry colleagues and competitors.
With Ronnie's affable personality, those he comes in touch with, whether in business or socially, have the greatest admiration and respect for him. He still today goes to work every day in his "favorite attire"…. Levi jeans and safety boots!
While undertaking the "journey" over those past 60 years, Ronnie has found "time" to undertake other activities….
• Still farms over 400+ acres‐raising corn, soybeans, hay, and, at times, hogs and cattle
• Through acquisition and zoning of properties over the years in the Ross township area, he has developed over 500 housing lots
• Internationally traveled to South America, Australia, France, UK, Thailand, and Africa and enjoyed several cruises across several of the oceans
• Ronnie married his high school sweetheart, Sue, in 1963. Ronnie and Sue have two sons, Todd and Rodney, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
John Hemmer
posthumously honored
John M. Hemmer Construction Company
John Matthew Hemmer was born in Covington, KY, to immigrant parents in 1892. After high school, he went to work at a machine tool company in Cincinnati, eventually becoming a pattern maker. He married Josephine Hellmann Roeding prior to World War I. They were relocated to Washington, DC, where he worked as a machinist supporting the war effort. After the war, he and Josephine returned to Covington to settle down and start their family. Shortly after the move, he started his own building company. Working from his dining room table in 1921 was
the beginning of the John M. Hemmer Construction Company. Hemmer was not formally educated; however, he was smart, a quick study of people, talented, and a trusted businessman. In the early 1930s, when Kentucky required architects to be licensed, he applied and because one of the first 100 registered architects in the state.
Following World War II, the second generation of Hemmers joined the company. They grew with the wave of municipal buildings, schools, and church projects.
One hundred years later and now led by the third generation of the Hemmer family, we can look back on John's foundation with admiration and appreciation. John was dedicated to providing high-quality buildings and focused on creating a legacy of trustworthiness and giving back to the community. He passed away in 1986 at the age of 94.
Sample Projects:
Fort Mitchell City Building & Fire House, Fort Mitchell, KY
Newport Catholic High School, Newport, KY
Aiken High School, Belmont Avenue, Cincinnati, OH
Saint Thomas More Church, Ohio Pike, Cincinnati, OH
Central Post Office Renovation, Dalton Street, Cincinnati, OH
Kettering Laboratory Addition, Cincinnati, OH
Blue Cross Blue Shield Addition & Renovation, William Howard Taft, Cincinnati, OH
Latonia Baptist Education Building, Latonia, KY
Background/Family/Core Values
Greg is a native of Cincinnati and was raised in Reading, Ohio. He met his wife, Pam, at a local church service in West Carrollton while he was on his way home from an ASA stock car race, where he worked as a pit crew member. Greg and Pam have been happily married for 34 years and have raised three children, Brian, Jenny, and Daniel.
Education
Greg earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He co-oped with Messer for four years and joined the company upon graduation in 1987.
Business Background and Achievements
Throughout his career, Greg provided operations leadership for some of Messer's most high-profile projects. In addition to his on-site leadership, Greg led Messer's Cost Planning & Estimating department for nearly a decade, overseeing the company's preconstruction and estimating efforts across all regions.
Industry Involvement/Recognition/Achievements/Trade Association Participation
Greg served as Board President for the Northern Kentucky University Construction Management Industry Advisory Board, Board of Trustees for the Spirit of Construction Foundation and SOC's Gala chair, Past President, and Ohio Chapter Board Member for the Associated General Contractors of America. Greg also served as chairman for several Cincinnati USA Supplier Diversity "Join the Circle" committees.
Favorite Project or Business Accomplishment
Greg's favorite project was Makino, Inc., a tool and die manufacturing facility and office in Mason, OH. The project team faced several unique challenges, but Greg led the team in delivering outstanding results and nearly $1M in savings to the client through Value Engineering efforts, one of his greatest strengths.
Favorite Charities, Volunteer, and Community Service Programs
Greg is an active member of the community and serves as a Board Member for the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. He has previously served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the American Heart Association, a member of the Board of Directors for Camp Joy, and a Gala chair for The Spirit of Construction of Greater Cincinnati. Greg actively supports Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and multiple organizations dedicated to ALS research.
Personal Interests, Hobbies, and Achievements
Greg is an avid University of Cincinnati Bearcats fan and a huge supporter of UC athletics. He holds season tickets for both football and basketball. Greg is also an accomplished woodworker, avid golfer, and seasoned traveler who has recently spent time at Pebble Beach, Italy, Hawaii, and Hilton Head.