Linn-Mar Alum Returns to His Roots

“Try a lot of things while you’re in high school, explore, and see what you like the most,” said Ethan Krigbaum, Project Superintendent for Peak Construction. Krigbaum is a 2020 graduate of Linn-Mar High School, currently working on leading the construction of the district’s new administrative building.

“I actually went to school at Novak that is now the Learning and Resource Center,” said Krigbaum. The administrative offices will be moved out of the current Learning and Resource Center and into the new building under construction, formerly Linn-Mar’s Novak Elementary School. It truly is a full-circle moment for Krigbaum to be the Project Superintendent as a Linn-Mar alum.

Krigbaum knew he wanted to pursue a career that combined business and hands-on work, which led him to pursue a degree in Construction Management at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids. A role in commercial construction came open at Peak Construction that allowed Krigbaum to work while still maintaining his role as a student. “I started out with Peak in October 2021 and my first big project was helping to build the Fifth and Sixth grade elementary school in the Prairie school district.”

Upon completing his degree, Krigbaum went to work full-time for Peak Construction. After a few projects under his belt, Krigbaum was placed as the Project Superintendent on the Linn-Mar project. “I oversee everything, ensuring subs are scheduled and completing their work, communicating our status, and reading the blueprints to stay on schedule,” said Krigbaum.

“You don’t know what you don’t know. I love that this job ended up meshing together what I’ve wanted to do all along, business management and seeing my hands-on construction work come together,” shared Krigbaum. He went on to share that he felt Kirkwood Community College’s Construction Management program did a great job of preparing him for a career in this field.

Learn more about what a future career in construction may be like by reading through Community Promise job profiles. Community Promise was developed by Marion Economic Development Corporation to share resources and tools to learn about future careers here in our community!

Special thanks to Emily Russ from MEDCO for allowing us to share her article with you!