Month: May 2025

Some lessons are learned in the boardroom. Others are learned 30 feet in the air, balancing steel in unpredictable weather with a crew that becomes more like a family. For Shawn Palmateer, Field Administrator at FED Design/Builders, every day on the job has been part of a 26-year journey shaped by grit, mentorship, and the relentless drive to grow.

Here are 10 lessons from Shawn, a veteran builder, loyal teammate, and leader who knows that technical skill means nothing without heart.

1. Fear Fades, Learning Lasts
When Shawn first heard he’d be working on the “red iron” crew, he thought he’d be handling glowing, molten steel. It turned out the “red” referred to primer, not temperature — but the moment stuck. “That was my first ‘aha’ moment,” he laughs. It’s a reminder that fear often comes from not understanding, and learning is the antidote.

2. Love What You Do and It Won’t Feel Like Work
One of the most important truths Shawn has discovered is that when you truly love what you do, it doesn’t feel like a job. “Of course there are tough days,” he says. “But when you put your heart and soul into something, the reward isn’t just the finished project — it’s the pride in how you got there.”

5. Great Teams Build Great People
Shawn credits much of his growth to being surrounded by quality people. “When you work with great teammates, you can’t help but become better yourself.” Whether you’re teaching or learning, every moment on a job site is a chance to grow through collaboration.

6. There’s Always More to Learn
Even after mastering the craft of steel erection, Shawn learned a humbling truth: technical mastery is just one part of the puzzle. “I used to think I had it figured out. Then I stepped into the technical side and realized how much I didn’t know.” Curiosity and humility have kept his career evolving.

7. Teamwork Is the Only Way It All Comes Together
A project isn’t just about who’s on-site. It’s about who schedules deliveries, coordinates equipment, manages logistics, and ensures safety. “It takes everyone doing their part, perfectly, for things to run smooth,” Shawn says. “I have deep respect for every role that makes it work.”

8. Weather Is Unpredictable. Your Attitude Shouldn’t Be.
You can’t control the weather, and field crews know this all too well. “Mother Nature can turn a normal job into a grind real quick,” Shawn says. “But no matter what the skies throw at you, you show up ready and focused. That’s the job.”

9. You Can’t Teach Passion, But You Can Lead with It
What Shawn values most in a teammate isn’t just skill — it’s passion. “You can train people on technique, but you can’t train drive. That’s something you’ve got to bring with you.” His leadership style focuses on modeling that same energy every day.

10. The Greatest Success Is Building Something Bigger Than Yourself
For Shawn, personal pride matters — but being part of a winning team matters more. “It feels good to know your own skills are sharp. But it feels even better to know you helped build a team where everyone thrives.” That, he says, is the real win.

Closing Thought
From steel beams to strong teams, Shawn Palmateer’s 26 years at FED are a testament to what happens when experience meets integrity. His lessons aren’t found in textbooks. They’re forged through early mornings, hard weather, shared laughter, and unshakable commitment.

As we continue our 45 Lessons for 45 Years series, Shawn reminds us: growth doesn’t come from knowing everything. It comes from staying open, showing up, and never forgetting where you started.

From his early days working in the field to his current role as Vice President of FED Design/Builders, Jeremy Dicken has built his career one lesson at a time. His journey is proof that leadership isn’t just about titles. It’s about hard work, personal growth, and a relentless commitment to doing things right.

1. Personal Growth Starts with Self-Improvement
“If you’re not trying to improve yourself and become the best version of who you can be, don’t expect others to follow you.” Jeremy knows leadership starts with the person in the mirror. He’s seen firsthand that those who lead by example are the ones people respect and trust.

2. Teamwork Beats Individual Efforts Every Time
Over the years, Jeremy has learned that the best solutions are built together. “Tackling issues as a team always leads to better outcomes than trying to handle them alone.” Jeremy understands that collaboration creates strength.

3. Visualization Is a Superpower
A pivotal moment in Jeremy’s career came when he was a site supervisor in Chicago. Given just six weeks to secure a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy, the odds were against him. As Jeremy said, “I believed it could be done. I visualized every step, and it happened.” Against the clock, he made it work, allowing the client to move in on time and start selling. That experience taught him that you’re already halfway there when you can clearly picture a goal.

7. Communication Is a Skill You Never Stop Improving
For Jeremy, communication isn’t something you master once. It’s a skill you work on daily. “I’ve spent years learning to talk with clients, understand their needs, and deliver clear, honest solutions. But I know there’s always room to get better.” Jeremy has seen firsthand that listening more than speaking, asking the right questions, and staying open to feedback turn good communication into great relationships.

8. Integrity Is the Foundation of Every Relationship
Jeremy has always prioritized integrity in client interactions. “You can’t fake integrity. It’s either there or not, and people know the difference.” This focus has helped him build strong, long-term relationships.

9. Confidence Comes from Experience, Not Titles
Jeremy has learned that leadership isn’t about job titles. It’s about earning your team’s and clients’ respect by showing up, staying consistent, and never hesitating to take on tough challenges.

10. You Don’t Need Every Answer, Just a Willingness to Learn
Jeremy knows success isn’t about having all the answers from the start. It’s about showing up, putting in the effort, and using your current knowledge to create solutions. “Hard work and common sense will take you a long way,” he says. Jeremy has built a career defined by growth by staying curious, asking questions, and never being afraid to learn something new.

Closing Thought:
Jeremy Dicken’s career is proof that leadership is built, not given. From fieldwork to the executive team, he’s earned his place through integrity, teamwork, and relentless personal growth. As we continue our 45 Years, 45 Lessons series, Jeremy’s insights remind us that the best leaders never stop learning.

Every foundation has a cornerstone. For FED, that cornerstone is DeVere Dennings, the man who turned a vision into what is now a 45-year legacy. His journey from the family farm to the frontlines of commercial construction taught him lessons that shaped FED’s culture and values. Here are 10 of those lessons.

1. The Skills That Built FED Started on the Farm
“I didn’t grow up with time clocks. I grew up on a farm where the day started at 5 AM and didn’t end until the work was done,” DeVere recalls. From the age of 10, he learned responsibility the hard way, managing equipment, solving problems without being able to hire for repairs, and working until the job was finished. Those early years taught him that success isn’t about knowing every answer in advance. It’s about learning everything you can in the moment to prepare for what’s next.

2. Betting on Yourself Is the Biggest Decision You’ll Ever Make.
Leaving the farm at 26 to start his own business was the boldest move DeVere ever made. “I had a young family and no other source of income. I started in January and it was May before I made my first sale.” What started as a gamble turned into a career, and by the end of that first year, his sales were thriving. His lesson is simple: Risk is the price of any reward worth having.

3. Never Stop Learning, Especially About Selling.
A self-described “nuts and bolts guy,” DeVere knew he had to master sales to survive. He did it by learning from the best, sticking close to top performers, and absorbing their techniques. Those skills didn’t just boost his sales. They became the backbone of FED’s customer-first approach.

6. Speed Beats Hesitation.
While some depend on financial advisors, DeVere trusted his instincts. His approach was simple: make decisions quickly and keep moving. “Deals don’t wait. If you hesitate, someone else will take the opportunity.” This agility became a defining trait of FED, helping it adapt to changing markets faster than competitors.

7. Pursue Challenge, it Builds Confidence.
DeVere’s most life-changing experience was selling grain systems in Nigeria. Navigating complex negotiations in a foreign market was intimidating, but it taught him something critical: If you can handle the hard stuff, you can handle anything. That mindset gave him the confidence to take FED into larger, more complex projects.

8. Without a Team You Can’t Succeed
“Running your own business teaches you lessons you never see coming. Like the fact that every Friday, your team gets paid, even when you don’t.” DeVere’s commitment to his team’s financial security was more than a responsibility. It was proof that FED would create an environment that employees could count on.

9. Surviving Recessions Takes Grit, and a Little Luck.
No lesson came harder than navigating recessions. Banks called in loans despite perfect payment records. Customer loans canceled mid-project. “I have no idea how we survived some of those times,” DeVere admits, enduring sleepless nights and relentless problem-solving. His resilience kept FED alive.

10. Time Is the Only Thing You Can’t Earn Back.
Looking back, DeVere’s biggest regret isn’t a lost deal or a failed venture. It’s the time he missed with his family while consumed by the business. “The largest regret is being so consumed with business that my family sacrificed time we should have spent together.” His honesty is a reminder that even the hardest-working people must find balance.

Closing Thought:
DeVere Dennings built more than a business. He built a culture defined by hard work, honesty, resilience, and quality. As we celebrate 45 years of FED Design/Builders, these 10 lessons from our founder remind us that the strongest foundations are built on values that withstand decades of change.

After 45 years in business, FED Design/Builders knows success is built on more than quality buildings. It’s built on leadership that adapts, evolves, and never stops learning. Brock Dennings, FED’s President, shares five lessons that shape how he leads the company into the future.

2. Perception Is Reality, Always.
Brock has learned “If a customer feels like something is incorrect or could be improved, then that is the reality.” It doesn’t matter how we think we are performing or what facts we feel back up a scenario. If a client is concerned, their concern is valid, and it demands action. At FED, this lesson drives a relentless focus on communication, responsiveness, and exceeding expectations.

3. Quality Leadership Begins With Your Thoughts.
One of the most pivotal lessons Brock learned came from his mentor, Brandon Dawson: “What you think is what you say, what you say is what you do, and what you do becomes your legacy.” This mindset changed everything. It forced Brock to realize leadership is not just about reacting to problems. It’s about proactively setting the tone through every thought, word, and action. Staying intentional, forward-looking, and clear-minded isn’t a side task for a leader. It’s the primary focus.

4. Growth Is a Lifelong Journey, There’s No Finish Line.
Every time Brock feels like he is finally hitting a leadership stride, the world throws a new curveball. Markets shift. Teams grow. Challenges change. Instead of seeing this as a setback, Brock sees it for what it is: proof that real leadership demands constant evolution. “I’ve learned so much,” he says, “and it still feels like just the beginning. Every day is a new opportunity to learn and grow.” Leading FED means embracing the truth that every day brings a new opportunity to improve.

5. Revenue Looks Good, but Profit Keeps Business Moving
Through all the market conditions over the last 45 years, one lesson has proven itself again and again: Revenue is vanity, and profit is sanity. Flashy revenue numbers might look good in headlines, but they do not build sustainable businesses. Profitability, flexibility, and smart reaction to changing conditions are the true markers of continued success. Brock knows it’s not about chasing every dollar. It’s about building a strong business no matter what the economy throws at it.

Closing Thought:
At FED Design/Builders, leadership isn’t a title. It’s a daily commitment to be better, think bigger, and never lose sight of what truly matters. As we celebrate 45 years of success, these lessons from Brock remind us that the real foundation of FED’s future is built one decision, one relationship, and one day at a time. Stay tuned for the remaining 40 lessons we will be sharing from our team!