Dean Basten has always believed that his most important role at Miron Construction Co. Inc. is managing risk, ensuring that the organization takes on the appropriate amount of risk to cultivate growth while never placing it in a position to fail. “Dean has always been given a voice and has been able to impact the direction of the company,” said his colleagues.
Basten joined the family-owned company, led at the time by David G. Voss, Jr. and Greg Kippenhan, in 1998. Miron’s volume was approximately $100 million that year. The company was growing very quickly, and the owners agreed they needed a strategic and dedicated individual to join the company as its first chief financial officer.
Miron Construction Co. Inc. has been providing professional construction services to clients throughout the Midwest, with an expanded geographical reach across the U.S., for more than a century. Miron is a privately held, family-owned company in its fourth generation with a culture and passion for building instilled in every team member.
Under Basten’s leadership, over the past 26 years, Miron has grown exponentially and office space includes a newly renovated, 112,000-square-foot corporate headquarters in Neenah, Wisconsin, and regional offices in Eau Claire, Green Bay, Madison, Milwaukee, and Wausau, Wisconsin; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Marquette, Michigan. Miron has more than doubled its sales in the past 10 years, which now exceeds $1.68 billion, and has grown to employ approximately 1,700 team members.
“As our company continues to grow and we add new team members, I enjoy being a resource for them and providing information to allow others to do their jobs more efficiently,” said Basten. “I’ve always tried to present financial information in a way that connects to business strategy and allows team members to see how finance can drive overall success.”
As a leader, Basten said he reflects on the “why” of what he does and the role he plays in the company. “When it comes down to it, what drives me and gets me out of bed in the morning is problem-solving, strategizing about business growth and being a sounding board for new ideas,” he said. “Being able to participate in these aspects of the business and help steer the direction of the company keeps me engaged and excited about what I do.”
Giving back to the community through time and treasure is deeply important to Basten. He is actively involved in several community organizations, serving on the YMCA executive board, Riverview Gardens executive board and UWGB council of trustees. He is also involved with the Bay-Lakes Council of the Boy Scouts of America, sitting on the financial development committee. “He is a big believer in not only giving back but using one’s skills to assist and inspire others,” said his staff.