John Shemeld Retires After 46-Year Construction Career

Date Posted: January 25, 2022

Posted In: News, People,

BEX Construction Services recently celebrated the 46-year construction/engineering career of “OWO” – short for Old Wise One – better known as BEX Vice President-Engineering John L. Shemeld, PE. Though the event marked his official retirement, Shemeld plans to continue consulting for BEX between rounds of golf and time with his wife, Sharon, their three children and two grandchildren (with another on the way).

The transition is a milestone for both Randy Bueckendorf and Shemeld, who have known each other since 1987, when they worked together for five years as the fifth and sixth employees at Brinkmann Constructors. They connected over multi-generational careers in construction. Shemeld’s father and grandfather were both civil engineers. Bueckendorf’s were both carpenters.

On his way to becoming an engineer, Shemeld worked in construction for eight summers and two winter breaks in his native Virginia. “The summer of my 15th year, I walked from construction site to construction site until somebody hired me to work carrying a 90-pound brick hod,” Shemeld said. “By lunch, I realized this was the hardest thing I’d ever done and considered quitting. But I kept on.”

By the end of summer, Shemeld had grown blonde, tan and ripped. His construction labor paid for his education at the University of Virginia, where he earned degrees in civil and structural engineering. Those years also gave him the kind of construction knowledge that’s only gained through field work.

“John was my boss at Brinkmann, and I always considered him to be a very intelligent guy, on par with the company owner, Bob Brinkmann,” Bueckendorf said. “John gave good direction and was very organized and dependable, traits I value. We both take construction very seriously.”

When Shemeld sent a text in 2019 to share that he was looking to make a career move, Bueckendorf pounced. They met immediately for lunch at Syberg’s on Dorsett, and Shemeld signed on at BEX over lunch. “My personality is that I act. I knew my quick action might not have turned out well. But as I hoped, it turned out to be really good,” Bueckendorf said. “We rolled the dice on reversing roles, and it came easy. John never reminded me, ‘You used to work for me.’ We enjoy a deep respect for one another.”

BEX was in its fifth year and Shemeld proved to be a pivotal addition. Being engineer-of-record on projects dating to 1981 gave him insights into issues and problems that many project managers don’t even know they don’t know. His mentoring of colleagues at BEX quickly sharpened the whole team’s expertise.

In addition, Shemeld’s organizational prowess was channeled into developing processes and systems on which BEX has continued to build effectively during rapid growth.

“Kudos to Randy Bueckendorf,” Shemeld said. “He gave me a great opportunity here, and we’ve flourished together. I hope I’ve strengthened BEX Construction’s foundation for continued exceptional performance and growth.”

To ensure a strong transition, BEX is drawing on the leadership of two longtime construction professionals with a combined total of 55 years of experience. During 2021, Zig Piwowarski joined BEX as vice president with experience in construction management, development services and construction on the teams of real estate companies and general contractors. Tim Marstall was promoted to vice president of engineering from his senior project manager role to perform construction management and spearhead the development and implementation of process innovations to support BEX’s rapid growth.

“There are lots of smart and talented people at BEX,” Shemeld said. “I know this team will continue to skyrocket without me. BEX is a match for clients who are great people and demand excellence.”

Shemeld is smoothing the transition by continuing in a consulting role with BEX. For a team that enjoys taking playful jabs at one another while doing their best for clients, that’s very good news.