PYSK: Dan Kliethermes
President and Owner,
Kliethermes Homes and Remodeling Inc.
AGE: 55 | YEARS LIVED IN COLUMBIA: 37
JOB DESCRIPTION: I am the company’s planner and visionary. I teach people to do their jobs well and to teach others in our company, and I make sure we all work together as a team that is focused on a common vision and yearly goals.
ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: I grew up on a farm 17 miles south of Boonville, and our family calls Tipton, Mo., our hometown.
EDUCATION: St. Andrew Catholic grade school and Tipton High School, two years at MU, Certified Graduate Remodeler and Certified Aging in Place Specialist designations through the National Association of Homebuilders Remodelers Council
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, parish council member and past president; St. Frances House; Habitat for Humanity; Rotary member of Columbia South and current president; Young Life board member; Chamber of Commerce; Home Builders Association of Columbia, past president
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: Having entrepreneurial parents and growing up on a farm gave me the background to do most things in my life. We were given a lot of responsibility at an early age; there were no exceptions. You had to get your work done and done right. After my college stint, I worked for my brother-in-law and then Lawrence Bulgin for nine months consecutively. At the ripe old age of 21, I started my own company.
A COLUMBIA BUINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: Howard Eiffert, founder of Boone County Lumber. Howard was my mentor. He helped me understand that planning and being a visionary person were necessary to having a fulfilling and happy life. The two of us met for more than 20 years.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: Years ago it was the joy of seeing beautiful projects come to life. I loved the excavation process of a new home and the land development project we did. Today it is seeing the excitement of all of our happy clients. When they see the results of our planning come to fruition, it makes them very happy, and it pleases me to see how we can make people’s lives better.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD… have been a veterinarian, in engineering or a farm operation.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Learning how to run a company, managing people and teaching them how to become leaders themselves.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: I have enjoyed remodeling and building homes, but my favorite was developing several subdivisions, in particular The Village of Cherry Hill.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: Remodeling, homebuilding and developing property must be run like a serious organized business. Someone once said to us, “You plan stuff.” Put yourself around successful business people who can give you good advice.
FAMILY: I met my wife, Colleen, in college, and we have been married for 35 years. Ask Colleen what she does, and she will tell you she raised our kids and “I’ve always been Dan’s cheerleader.” We raised four awesome children, who are now all married. We are expecting our 12th grandchild in July. I grew up with seven brothers and one sister.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: MIZ-ZOU football, bike riding when I can, gardening, traveling, getting together with family and friends and going to Cozumel, Mexico, with Colleen.
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: Our screened-in porch, MKT and Katy Trail, Faurot Field
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: My faith, marriage and family — and that Colleen and I have raised our children to be future leaders.
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I… like to read business books. The E-Myth, Good to Great, How the Mighty Fall, Who Moved the Cheese, Leadership Above the Line, The On-Purpose Business, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and Built to Last are just some of them. Although I don’t find it easy, I like learning how to do what I do better. Oh yes, others will say I barbecue a mean salmon and rack of ribs.