DECEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Steve Graves

Steve is a Millwright Labor Superintendent and has been with JR Merit for a little more than two years, bringing nearly three decades of experience in the industry. “I’ve been a union millwright for 27 years. I worked in an autobody shop in high school, and I’ve always loved wrenching on cars and dirt bikes. It just kind of snowballed from there. One of my old neighbors told me about the millwright union, and I got into the apprentice program.

“I’ve held a number of roles over the years for various companies. I worked in sawmills, then I did a non-union plumbing apprenticeship. I took the state exam and got my residential plumbing card. After a while, I missed the industrial environment, so I decided to get back into union work. I worked for one of JR Merit’s competitors for about 15 years, and eventually moved on to work for a turbine company.

“I traveled for them for about six years doing gas and steam turbine projects. I’ve been all over the country to do turbine repairs and rebuilds—from Fairbanks, Alaska down to Arizona, over to Chicago and everything in between. When I finished up one job in Fairbanks, I tried to turn down the next one, but the union talked me into going up there for another five months. Eventually, I wanted a job where I’d be closer to home, so I started looking for other roles and other companies and eventually found JR Merit.

“During this time I also spent 14 years volunteering with the JATC Apprenticeship Committee for the millwright union, helping give back to the industry and train new millwrights.”

Steve has become an integral leader in JR Merit’s Millwright Division in his time with us.

“I’ve recently been promoted to a leadership role. It keeps me busy and on my toes! There’s constantly something different, something to learn; it’s always challenging in a good way. And I still get to work on turbines and hydropower projects.”

Steve has seen some changes in the industry over the years and finds that how a company treats its people is the biggest difference he’s seen across his experiences. “The way people are talked to and treated these days, with no more yelling and screaming, it’s a huge change in the culture of the construction industry. JR Merit is really great in the way they treat people.”

Over the next several years, Steve is looking forward to JR Merit’s continued growth and workforce expansion. “I enjoy being part of the ongoing growth of the company and working with junior employees. I want to continue passing on the knowledge I have; hopefully those at JR Merit will retain it when I’m gone. Some of the key lessons learned I share with people coming up in this trade is always be aware of your surroundings and treat others how you would like to be treated. And take the time to pass on your knowledge—a culture of communication goes a long way to improving skills and safety in this industry.

In his spare time, Steve enjoys golfing and hanging out with his grandkids. “I’ve been trying to do a little hunting these last few years, but haven’t gotten away to do it.”