Journey Group CEO to retire

This article was originally published by Jodi Schwan of SiouxFalls.Business.

Journey Group CEO Randy Knecht is planning his retirement.

Knecht has led the Sioux Falls-based construction firm for 16 years and has been part of the company since 1994. He has guided the century-old business through a period of significant expansion, from a team of 125 to more than 350 today.

Knecht joined Journey as its controller, and the role evolved into chief financial officer before he was named CEO in 2010.

“That’s a long time for one person to lead an organization our size, so I felt like I’m very proud of our team and what we’ve accomplished through now, and it’s just time to let somebody else lead,” Knecht said.

“We have a lot of really good leaders in our organization who deserve an opportunity to take on leadership roles. The company is in great shape, I think we’re in a very strong position with our clients, with our markets, so I just think the timing is right, and it’s a good time to step aside.”

Under Knecht’s leadership, Journey grew its reach geographically and through new business units, including an acquisition that brought the company into residential construction. Major commercial work has included essentially every major building project for Avera Health, the restoration of St. Joseph Cathedral, the multiphase Cherapa Place development and major public infrastructure work, including highways and bridges across South Dakota and beyond.

His community leadership includes serving on the Avera McKennan board of trustees, the board of directors of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation and the Forward Sioux Falls joint venture management committee, in addition to past service on many nonprofit boards.

Journey Group’s board of directors is working with FMI, a national succession management firm, to assist with the CEO selection and transition. Knecht has not set a date for his retirement other than planning it sometime next year.

“Journey Group is in a very strong position today, financially and strategically,” said Jared Gusso, a member of Journey’s board of directors. “We are grateful for Randy’s leadership and are committed to selecting the next CEO who will continue our legacy of excellence and community impact.”

Journey Group was founded in 1910 and serves communities across the Midwest and nationwide through its work in commercial, manufacturing, industrial, water and wastewater infrastructure, civil and heavy highway, residential and asphalt paving services.

Knecht said he’s open to helping the next CEO transition however the company determines it’s best and then will consider his own next steps.

“I’ll continue to stay involved in the community. I enjoy doing that. I enjoy giving back,” he said. “I feel like I’ve been really blessed in this community, and now it’s my turn to give back even more than I have already, and I’m looking forward to that.”