Class: 2017 Age: 37 Company: Blue Light Enterprises
Sanders became fascinated and involved with construction equipment as a young boy. His first mentor was his grandfather, who owned and operated a sanitary landfill company. Today Sanders provides business and project management services to start-ups in the construction, energy, and environmental sectors focused on cost control, scheduling, and business development.
Education: MBA, Creighton University
Key accomplishment: Led the procurement, logistics, and daily operation of 90 cranes, their operators, and project staff for a large oil refining client. Directly supervised 250 personnel who performed more than 50,000 man-hours of work without incident. The company was awarded two safety awards from the Specialized Carriers and Riggers Association.
Fun fact: The most fun book that I ever remember was written by Richard Scarry: “Cars and Trucks and Things that Go.” That must have been the bedtime story a thousand times in my childhood, and it is quite possible that is how I became hooked on equipment.
Extracurricular: The Omaha Chamber of Commerce has a program focused on helping grow, develop, and connect small and disadvantaged businesses. I mentor small contractors who are looking to participate in significant markets in the region, but lack the marketing, estimating, and bidding capabilities that are necessary to compete on these projects.
