Celebrating 14 Years of Leadership: Q&A with Jake Finnegan, COO of Evenson Concrete Systems
Jake Finnegan | COO
At Evenson Concrete Systems (ECS), leadership is built the same way we build concrete structures, with strength, precision, and long-term durability. This year, we’re proud to celebrate 14 years of leadership from our Chief Operating Officer, Jake Finnegan.
With more than 20 years in the concrete construction industry, Jake has helped shape ECS into a regional leader in structural and commercial concrete. His commitment to accountability, craftsmanship, systems, and people development continues to elevate both our team and our clients’ experience.
Below, we sit down with Jake for an in-depth Q&A that reflects on his journey, leadership philosophy, and vision for the future of ECS.
Inside the blog:
Q&A with Jake Finnegan, COO – 14 Years at ECS
14 Years of Impact and Building Forward
Partner With a Team Built on Leadership & Accountability
Q&A with Jake Finnegan, COO – 14 Years at ECS
Q: What initially drew you to the construction industry, and what has kept you passionate about it?
I’ve appreciated construction since I was young. At its core, it’s problem-solving every single day, but with a tangible result at the end. There’s something incredibly rewarding about working through challenges with a team, finding solutions in real time, and ultimately building something you can stand back and be proud of.
That combination of teamwork, pressure, craftsmanship, and visible accomplishment is what has kept me passionate about it.
In concrete construction, especially, you don’t get do-overs. Precision matters. Timing matters. Team coordination matters. That level of accountability is motivating.
Q: Tell us about your journey. What path led you to where you are today?
I’ve been in the concrete construction industry for 20+ years. I started laboring with a friend and quickly fell in love with the hard work and team environment.
That experience sparked a drive in me to learn everything I could about concrete; not just how to do the work, but how to do it better.
Over the years, I moved through every position on the field and operations side of the business. Each role taught me something different:
Craftsmanship
Leadership
Accountability
Production management
The importance of developing people
That progression ultimately led me to the COO role I’m in today, where I now focus on leading the team, refining systems, and ensuring we deliver exceptional results for our clients.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you as COO of ECS?
My day is centered around communication and alignment.
I spend a significant amount of time in conversations with:
Clients
Project managers
Field leadership
Internal operations teams
The goal is to ensure everyone is moving in the same direction.
Beyond daily coordination, I focus heavily on strategic planning, growth initiatives, labor planning, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability.
A major part of my role is implementing systems that improve organization, quality, and results, so we’re not just reacting, but proactively leading.
I also prioritize mentoring. Regular one-on-one conversations with team members are important to me. Developing people, challenging them, and helping them grow into stronger leaders is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
Q. What’s a project or accomplishment you're especially proud of?
While there isn’t one specific project that stands out, I’m proud of what we’ve built as a company.
Every project represents hard work, problem-solving, and collaboration, and seeing them come together successfully is always rewarding.
What I’m especially proud of is growing ECS into a regional leader in the concrete industry.
That growth didn’t happen by accident. It came from:
Building the right team
Aligning around strong core values
Committing to quality, accountability, and results
Creating a culture where people take pride in their work and consistently deliver for our clients is deeply important to me.
Q: What motivates you to do your best work each day?
I’m motivated by teamwork and the pursuit of a shared goal.
There’s real energy in watching a group of people align, communicate effectively, and work hard toward the same objective. I enjoy seeing the team solve problems together and push through obstacles.
When everyone is committed to their craft, holds a high standard, and supports one another, the work becomes more than just production; it becomes something we take pride in.
That’s when it’s fun. And that’s when we do our best work.
How would you describe the culture at ECS?
ECS has a culture built on:
Accountability
Teamwork
High standards
We value integrity, commitment to our craft, and delivering results the right way. People here take pride in their work and understand that quality and safety are not negotiable.
We win together, and we lose together, no finger-pointing, no excuses. That shared ownership is foundational to who we are.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working with this team?
What I enjoy most is that the team is personally motivated.
People here want to grow. They want to improve. They’re open to feedback and genuinely strive for success, not just individually, but collectively.
There’s a strong sense of accountability across the organization. Shared ownership is one of the most important foundations of a strong team, and I value it deeply.
Q: Looking back over the past 14 years, what are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the company and industry?
One of the biggest changes has been technology.
Today’s tools and equipment reduce labor strain and create more consistent finishes. On the management side, communication and decision-making move much faster because of software and real-time access to information.
Construction has become more schedule-driven and efficiency-focused. Buildings are going up faster, and expectations continue to rise.
ECS has adapted well. We’ve implemented systems and tools that help us stay organized and productive while continuing to focus on quality and craftsmanship.
Q: How has your leadership style evolved over the years?
Early on, I led primarily by example. I believed that if I worked hard and set the standard, others would follow.
Over time, I’ve learned that leadership requires more than effort alone.
Today, I focus on:
Setting clear expectations
Creating accountability
Establishing ownership at every level
Leadership means building systems, developing people, and ensuring everyone understands both the standard and their responsibility in meeting it.
Q: What are your goals and vision for the future of ECS?
My vision is to continue strengthening the structural pillars of ECS by refining processes and improving efficiency across the organization.
Sustainable growth comes from:
Disciplined systems
Clear accountability
Continuous improvement
At the core of that vision are people. My goal is to build and develop the best team possible, people who are committed to excellence and take pride in their craft.
When the right people operate within strong systems, we create exceptional experiences both internally and for our clients.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering a career in construction?
Construction is hard work. It’s a fast-paced, schedule-driven, hands-on industry that demands consistency and effort every single day.
If you’re willing to show up, give 100%, stay coachable, and take pride in what you do, you will almost certainly find success.
It’s a highly rewarding field that provides tangible evidence of accomplishment. You can literally stand back and see the results of your work.
For the right person, that’s hard to beat.
Q: Outside of work, what do you enjoy?
I’m generally a very active person and don’t sit still for long.
Outside of work, I enjoy camping and traveling with my family. I also like working on projects. Whether it’s something around the house or building something new.
Staying active, being outdoors, and continuing to create or improve things are all things I naturally gravitate toward, even outside of work.
14 Years of Impact and Building Forward
Jake’s leadership has helped shape ECS into what it is today: a disciplined, team-driven, quality-focused concrete contractor trusted across the region.
Growth doesn’t happen by accident. It takes vision, accountability, systems, and people committed to excellence.
For 14 years, Jake Finnegan has helped lay that foundation.
And at ECS, we’re just getting started.
Partner With a Team Built on Leadership & Accountability
If you’re planning a commercial concrete project and want a partner who prioritizes quality, safety, and disciplined execution, we’re ready to build with you.
Partner With a Team Built on Leadership & Accountability
If you’re planning a commercial concrete project and want a partner who prioritizes quality, safety, and disciplined execution, we’re ready to build with you.
Contact Evenson Concrete Systems today to start the conversation.