Today, many people in positions of authority are afraid to rock the boat, said Bobby Mesmer. “That’s why I think that leaders who are willing to be unconventional have a huge opportunity,” he said. “As others allow their companies to stagnate, unconventional leaders are the only ones driving positive change.”
As the chief executive officer of RMG Erectors & Constructors LLC, Mesmer saw the need to rock the boat, and as a result, the risks he took evolved into creating a go-to company.
RMG Erectors & Constructors LLC, is the nation’s largest pre-engineered metal building erector, erecting more square footage of buildings each year than any other company in the United States. From retail, warehousing, industrial, railroad, big box, energy, aviation, municipal and many other working sectors, RMG has an excellent safety record and has become the go-to company in the country.
Since he was named a Titan 100 last year, Mesmer said one of his greatest accomplishments has been expansion. The firm is currently offering a full service from design and engineering inception all the way through manufacturing its own building product to the erection and final warranty. This has warranted the need to open a new office in Tennessee and create more jobs within the company.
Mesmer is also working on implementing a GSA side of the business. “This is a brainchild that I really wanted to extend upon and get involved in the government sector of work,” he said. “I saw there was a need to provide buildings to federal agencies throughout the country, and by doing that, we will be one of the only companies that continue to vertically integrate within that manufacturing sector and the erection sector to the government service side of contracts.”
Through the expansion in the past year, Mesmer said the greatest leadership lesson learned is that it matters significantly how you treat your employees. “A lot of employees think they can’t achieve certain goals but as a leader, it is my job to inspire them and let them know the bar is set this high because I believe in you and I know you can achieve this,” he said. “My philosophy is you don’t know what they’re ready for until it is presented to them.”
As a titan and a leader, Mesmer has also set a new standard in his industry to foster an environment for the next generation. “Success is built by differentiation,” Mesmer said. “What I hope that I have done is create a system and a business that other people want to duplicate.”
