Digging into Success: Kankakee CEO Students Tour Scanlon Excavating

On Thursday, September 19, Kankakee County CEO students had the opportunity to tour Scanlon Excavating & Concrete, Inc. located at 630 S 7000W Road in Kankakee. The tour was led by Beth Scanlon, the company's President. Beth, who has been in the industry since her early twenties, shared valuable insights into running a successful excavating company. She discussed the process of hiring union labor, managing day-to-day operations, and the complexities of working on municipal and commercial projects. Beth also emphasized the importance of embracing diversity in the industry. As a woman in a field traditionally dominated by men, she has come to appreciate the value that diverse perspectives bring to the business.

The importance of a business location was also discussed, with Scanlon Excavating’s location being selected for its proximity to a quarry and other construction companies. Considerations such as space for equipment and the type of road needed for heavy equipment were discussed, as well.

In addition to their excavating business, Scanlon touched on how she and her husband, Chris, run their second venture, Scanlon Cattle Co. She also spoke about the bidding process for securing contracts and the importance of developing a strong professional network. Beth highlighted the benefits of joining professional organizations and finding a healthy work-life balance.

To further inspire the students, Beth gifted each CEO participant a copy of The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann. We are incredibly grateful to Beth and the entire team at Scanlon Excavating for their enthusiastic support of the Kankakee County CEO program!