Dave Anderson is transferring leadership to Walt Bleser
After a 50 + year career, Dave Anderson will be entering a well-deserved retirement. Dave has experienced a successful career as a Professional Engineer in the transportation infrastructure industry. He began his career designing and inspecting numerous highway and railroad bridges. As Dave’s passion became more focused toward the rail industry, he wanted to build a company of his own. In 2005, Dave founded ARE with a vision of providing services as an extension of railroad staff – to be a trusted partner assisting with their engineering and technology endeavors.
At age 75 and ready to retire, Dave has passed the reins of President and CEO to Walt Bleser. Walt has been a leader in the rail industry for the last 20 years, was recognized as a “Rising Star of the Rail Industry,” and co-founded and ran a railway technology business. The two met in 2006 and have remained friends since. In 2020, Walt started as a consultant with ARE, quickly getting to know the staff and embracing Dave’s vision of being an extension of the rail clients’ engineering team. “My talents intersected Dave’s interest in retiring at just the right moment!” explains Walt.
Over the last couple of years, Walt has put emphasis on building the team to be a formidable small company in the rail bridge sector. His focus is to grow and maintain client relationships and use technology as a practical solution to meet clients’ needs. “Walt has done a great job defining our future direction and has seen to it that every employee understands their key role in the organization. This has helped energize ARE and created an atmosphere where all employees can excel,” says Dave.
How does this transition to new leadership effect ARE?
The company will continually grow as a strong leader in providing clients efficient practical solutions developed by an energized team that is always learning and applying technology to provide clients the tools they need for success. ARE is a small company now but it is growing organically by attracting talent in a simple way: allowing employees to be the best version of themselves without being restrained by large company “chains” that can hold them back.
With a solid leadership transition plan in place, Dave will remain an ARE Board member, but is looking forward to enjoying time with his family, traveling, growing his vineyard, and seasonal recreation in Minnesota. “With the successful implementation of a succession plan in 2021 and 2022, I feel like I can retire knowing that the business is in great hands.” Congratulations, Dave, and happy retirement!
Click here to learn more about Walt Bleser and the ARE team.
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