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Business Lessons from a Founder

I have worked with and learned from amazing people on my journey – let's build together.

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SIUE Health Sciences Complex Groundbreaking

Clayco is helping build a healthier campus at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville! Our team recently celebrated the groundbreaking of SIUE’s new health sciences complex, where we are working with Lamar Johnson Collaborative, along with PoetkkerJV and Christner Inc., to develop the facility.

Groundbreaking at St. Louis Community College

We’re breaking ground and helping pave the way toward higher education! Construction began on September 8th on the Center for Emerging Technologies and the Financial Services & Enrollment Center at St. Louis Community College’s Meramec campus. This groundbreaking is part of six new buildings planned across STLCC’s four main campuses as part of a facilities update.

ENTEK Groundbreaking for $1.5 Billion Production Facility

Electric vehicle manufacturing is a pivotal step toward pioneering newer, greener frontiers - and Clayco and ENTEK are at the forefront! ENTEK, the only US-owned and operated manufacturer of wet-process lithium-ion battery separators, has made its single largest investment to date. On September 6th, the company broke ground on a $1.5 billion separator plant in Terre Haute, Indiana, and chose our Clayco team to design and build it.

AFB International Pet Food Ingredients Facility

We are bringing a “pawsitive” development to Columbus, Georgia! Clayco, Lamar Johnson Collaborative, and Concrete Strategies are working on a pet food ingredients facility for AFB International. AFB creates and sells palatant ingredients globally, enhancing the taste of pet food, treats, and supplements. This ensures pets not only enjoy their meals but also receive vital nutrients. The company focuses on palatability, partnership, and people to bring pet food solutions that enrich relationships and lives.

Discussing Innovation at Mexico GRI Real Estate 2023

There's nothing like connecting with remarkable individuals and minds from across the globe – which made the Mexico GRI Real Estate 2023 conference a premier destination last week! The event provided a dynamic platform for real estate and infrastructure executives to exchange innovative strategies and solutions. I loved my trip to Mexico City and enjoyed witnessing the nation's journey toward a promising future with many positive signs, including a strong peso, growing population, and entrepreneurial spirit. The country is also ready to receive global manufacturers to provide nearshore supplying to the USA in the next decade.

Welcoming Susan Bergdoll to CRG

As Clayco's partner company, CRG, continues to expand its national presence, it requires more creative minds and innovators to do so. In light of this, please welcome the latest addition to CRG’s leadership team, Susan Bergdoll, as Senior Vice President and Partner for the Midwest industrial region! We are thrilled to have her expertise in navigating complex land acquisitions, lease negotiations, and municipal processes in our organization. Susan brings transformative knowledge to the firm with 25+ years of experience in commercial real estate and striking deals with Fortune 100 and 500 brands. Before joining CRG, she managed Duke Realty's nearly 40-million-square-foot Midwest industrial portfolio, valued at over $1.7 billion. Susan’s impressive background will be an advantage as she aids in developing CRG’s speculative and build-to-suit warehouses for e-commerce, Fortune 500, and other clients.

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My Mock Death is Today

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The concept of earning is an instinct of mine

My first job was stamping cans at a little grocery market in exchange for candy at about 10 years old. The concept of earning was an early instinct of mine.

During my teen years, I had a car wash on my home driveway, after which I started doing small painting and odd jobs at neighbors’ homes for extra money, but mainly to avoid mowing my own yard by paying the kid down the street to do it. I could make more money doing the other jobs, which allowed me to pay him very little to do something I didn’t want to do that was much more time-consuming. Looking back, that was an entrepreneurial experience.