Full Name: Daniel Lee Spiegel
Nicknames: Danny, Spiegs, Bean
Education: Christian Brothers College High School, Class of 2002; Coursework at Saint Louis Community Colleges and EMT Certification, Journeyman Training Program at the LABORERS-AGC Training Center
Job history: Dan’s first employment experience in the construction industry began when he was recruited by general contractor and homebuilder Pat McKenna in the seventh grade. Dan was the tallest kid in the class, which made him the best candidate for hanging drywall. Dan’s innate talents and hard work ethics were quickly realized and he became somewhat of an apprentice. Dan continued to work with Pat every summer and during the school year when he wasn’t playing football. He worked on both new and old homes all over the St. Louis area, including: Clayton, Shrewsbury, Kirkwood, Ballwin, the Central West End, North County, and St. Louis City. At just 16 years old, Dan travelled to Washington D.C. to work on a large home addition project for nearly half of the summer.
When he graduated from high school, Dan signed up for classes at a local community college where he earned his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification. While in school, Dan worked for Enterprise Construction, a St. Louis company focused on home remodeling and renovation projects. Acting as a sub-contractor, Dan gained more exposure to interior projects, including siding, roofing and drywall.
Through networking with other construction professionals, Dan learned of an opportunity to join the Laborer’s Union, Local 42. He eagerly accepted and began working for Raise and Raze Demolition Company where he learned yet another aspect of the construction process, demolition. Dan’s new responsibilities included not just manual labor, but “running crews” on large jobs such as Edward Jones, Scottrade, BJC, Missouri Baptist, Metropolitan Square, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, The Saint Louis Mills, West County Center and many more.
While working for Raise and Raze, Dan also completed the Journeyman Training Program at the LABORERS-AGC Training Center in High Hill, Missouri. This program includes training in: general construction skills, jobsite responsibilities, operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, health and safety training, and environmental abatement, including OSHA compliance training. Dan was certified as a Journeyman in December 2009.
Eager for more exposure, Dan pursued an opportunity that had been offered by a colleague that Dan had worked with on side projects, Chris Jones of Jones Excavating & Grading. While working for Jones, Dan was involved in site development and utility for a wide variety of projects such as McCarthy Brothers, Ladue Schools, Lambert St. Louis International Airport, Parkway Schools, and more.
By 2010, Dan had experience and training in the entire construction process. He had worked on everything from a small bathroom remodel to the demolition of a major corporation. During this time, Dan had also completed various residential side projects for family and friends. These projects gave him the opportunity to work closely with his brother Mark and prove his individual talents and dedication. Needless to say, word spread quickly about Dan and Mark and they realized they had the opportunity to be their own boss while doing the work they loved.
Hobbies: Dan resides in Richmond Heights with his wife, Kary. They are expecting their first child in May 2014. He is in the process of updating his own home on the side. He is a huge fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Green Bay Packers.
Favorite type of construction project: “That’s a hard question to answer. I have always been a hands-on person, so whether it’s demolition or new construction, I almost always enjoy the process. I do really like concrete work and patios. You get one shot to get it right, and we are really good at ‘getting it right’.”
