Journey Group names new CEO

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

Journey Group has named a member of its executive team to become its next CEO.

Brian Gramm was appointed by the company’s board of directors after serving as Journey’s chief financial officer and chief strategy officer for almost five years. He previously consulted for the company through his own firm.

He succeeds Randy Knecht, who has led Journey as CEO for more than 15 years and has a more than 30-year history with the company.

“The legacy that has been built over the past 115 years – including the legacy created by Randy – is a very high bar to reach,” Gramm said.

“I am honored and humbled to step into this role and continue the work of building on Journey Group’s strong foundation. Our success has always come from our people — their talent, integrity and care for our clients and communities we serve. I look forward to working alongside our team members, customers and the community as we carry our mission forward together.”

Helping Journey build on its growth trajectory holds a lot of appeal, he said.

“My entire professional career has been around taking organizations that are at point A and developing how to get them to point B,” he said. “I am not somebody who’s wired or whose mind generally works toward just coming in and making incremental changes … and there’s an inherent challenge in taking a 115-year-old business … and making it quick, nimble and entrepreneurial.”

Gramm and Knecht already have started their transition and officially make the change at CEO on Jan. 1. After that, Knecht will continue to serve as the chair of Journey’s board of directors and a community advocate.

Like Gramm, Knecht also served in a financial leadership role at Journey before becoming CEO. He was the company’s controller before being promoted in 2010.

“Brian has been a trusted leader and strategic thinker whose values align deeply with Journey Group’s mission and culture,” Knecht said. “He understands who we are as a company — our people, our purpose and our responsibility to the communities we serve. I have full confidence that Journey Group will continue to thrive and grow under his leadership.”

Journey marks its 115th anniversary this year. Its more than 350 employees serve construction industry clients in health care, education, manufacturing and industrial, civil infrastructure, asphalt paving and concrete, residential and community sectors.

“Journey Group has a remarkable history of growth and service to our region,” said Tony Wiseman, a member of Journey’s board of directors and president of Journey Construction. “Brian’s experience, vision and focus on people make him the right leader to guide the company into its next chapter.”