Where It All Started

Sellenriek Construction was founded in 1979 by Bob Sellenriek with a clear mission- to raise the standard of underground utility work through hard work, precision, and accountability.

Despite financial challenges, Bob invested in used equipment and hired his first mechanic in the 1980s. By the 1990s, Sellenriek Construction had expanded to nearly 100 employees, increasing its capabilities in fiber installation, underground utility construction, and early broadband deployments. The company continued to grow steadily, always prioritizing quality over speed, a commitment that won the trust of ISPs and municipalities.

The early 2000s saw further expansion, with Sellenriek adding vacuum excavation services and enhanced safety protocols. In 2014, the company was asked to enter the utility locating business, which later evolved into design-build services, allowing Sellenriek to provide end-to-end project solutions that positioned the company as a one-stop shop with integrated GIS technology, project management tools, and streamlined execution.

Through every generation and company evolution, Sellenriek Construction has remained true to its day 1 tenant — delivering high-quality infrastructure with honesty, safety, and excellence.

Sellenriek Construction was founded in 1979 by Bob Sellenriek, a skilled contractor who believed in hard work, precision, and doing the job right the first time.

Dissatisfied with the inefficiencies he witnessed in the industry, Bob set out to build a company that out quality, accountability, and innovation at the forefront of every job. Starting with just three employees in a modest 30×40 office, Sellenriek Construction quickly became known for its expertise in underground utility work and the uniquely personal and transparent way they conducted business.

From One Crew to an Industry Leader

Sellenriek Construction started with just two trusted employees working out of a modest 30×40 office with limited equipment. Their early success on Rural Utility Service projects laid the groundwork for what would become a trusted name in broadband and underground utility construction.

Today, Sellenriek Construction has grown to a team of over 500, serving independent ISPs, municipal utilities, and major infrastructure providers across Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and the broader Midwest region. With a reputation rooted in transparency, innovation, and precision, the company continues to grow, investing in advanced excavation technology and workforce training to meet the evolving demands of modern infrastructure.

1979

Sellenriek Construction is founded, focusing on underground utility work and RUS broadband infrastructure.

1980s

First major RUS project; first company mechanic hired to maintain growing fleet.

1990s

Expansion to 100 employees, broadening fiber installation and utility construction services.

Early 2000s

Introduction of vacuum excavation services to improve safety and efficiency.

2014

Entry into the utility locating and design-build space, making Sellenriek a full-service infrastructure provider.

Today

Over 500 employees, leading the industry with advanced excavation, fiber installation, and project management solutions.

“Nothing the company has accomplished would have been possible if it weren’t for the many dedicated employees who work for Sellenriek Construction.”

– Bob Sellenriek

What We Stand For

Integrity

Integrity

The people who work with us and around us always come first. We do what’s right for our employees, clients, and communities at every step.

Work Ethic

Work Ethic

Hard work, extensive training, above-and-beyond certifications, and an unyielding dedication to quality all drive our success.

Safety First

Safety First

Industry-leading safety practices, including an extensive in-house training facility, are how we put our money where our mouth is in being the safest in the business. We earned Captive Insurance Risk Control’s 2024 awards for Risk Control Merit, Fleet Safety, and Most Improved.

Career Growth

Career Growth

Training programs and promotions from within mean those who work with us are always first in line for openings up the ladder.

 

A Family Business That Feels Like Home

At Sellenriek Construction, we take pride in our team-oriented culture, where employees are treated like family. Many of our employees have been with us for decades, growing alongside the company, from being new hires on the jobsite to full company executives. We foster an environment where hard work is valued, ideas are encouraged, and work-life balance is respected.

“At Sellenriek, we don’t just work together—we build something together. The company treats employees like family, and that’s why people stay.”

What We Do Today: Full-Service Infrastructure Solutions

Sellenriek Construction has evolved into a one-stop-shop for broadband and utility construction throughout Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and the central United States, offering:

Precision Connectivity. End-to-End System Integration.
Precision Connectivity. End-to-End System Integration.
End-to-End Infrastructure Solutions, Streamlined for Success.
End-to-End Infrastructure Solutions, Streamlined for Success.
Reliable. Efficient. Built for Long-Term Performance.
Reliable. Efficient. Built for Long-Term Performance.
Precision and ease of use in hard to dig areas, such as clay-heavy soils.
Precision and ease of use in hard to dig areas, such as clay-heavy soils.
Precision. Efficiency. Minimal Disruption.
Precision. Efficiency. Minimal Disruption.
Fast, Cost-Effective Underground Utility Installation
Fast, Cost-Effective Underground Utility Installation

Our
Leadership
Team

Our multi-generational leadership team is built on decades of industry-leading experience and expertise, as well as a shared commitment to growth through an organic and people-centric focus. That’s exactly why so many of our leaders started from the ground up and continue to ensure that every decision we make reflects our core values of integrity, safety, and precision.

Brad Baumann

President

Brad is the president of Sellenriek Construction, Sellenriek Energy, and Anderson Underground, leading operations across Missouri, Minnesota, and beyond in telecommunications and electrical distribution. With over 40 years in the industry and experience in senior leadership roles, Brad is known for driving company growth, developing talent, and streamlining operations. He’s committed to upholding the Sellenriek tradition of customer care and strong work ethic.

Steve Sellenriek

CEO

Steve is the CEO of Sellenriek Companies and has led its growth into a multi-division operation spanning utility, telecom, and energy construction, as well as technology through UtiliSource. A graduate of State Technical College of Missouri, he serves on its Board of Regents and remains active in industry organizations like PCCA and CGA. Steve is passionate about safety, innovation, and workforce development. Outside of work, Steve gives back through civic groups including the Lions Club and Shriners International.

Heath Sellenriek

President and COO of Sellenriek Companies

Heath is the President and COO of Sellenriek Companies, overseeing operations across multiple divisions with a focus on growth, safety, and performance. He co-founded Gateway Fiber in 2019, leading its expansion across several states, securing $40 million in grants and guiding two private equity transactions, now he serves as an Independent Board Director. A lifelong builder, Heath rose through the ranks at Sellenriek, gaining deep expertise in utility construction and operations. He also serves as the 1st Vice Chairman of the Power and Communication Contractors Association.

Bradley Morgan

Director of Operations

Bradley has served as Director of Operations at Sellenriek Construction since 2023, overseeing the St. Joseph shop. With over 15 years in the utility construction industry, he brings hands-on experience in aerial and underground fiber installation, splicing, and project supervision. Bradley began his career in automotive mechanics before transitioning to telecom, working his way up through field and leadership roles. He holds certifications from the PMI Project Manager Academy, Light Brigade, and ETA, and serves as a Department of Labor mentor for fiber apprenticeship programs.

Andy Christine

Director of Operations

Andy is the Director of Operations at Sellenriek Construction, bringing 25 years of hands-on experience in broadband construction. He leads project execution, client relations, and workforce development, drawing on a career that spans from laborer to leadership. Andy also serves on the board of the PCCA and advises State Technical College of Missouri, reflecting his commitment to the industry’s future.

Joe Oden

Director of Operations

Joe is the Director of Operations for Sellenriek Construction and Sellenriek Energy, and serves as secretary on the Sellenriek Companies board. Since joining the company in 2002 as a laborer, Joe has worked his way up through nearly every role in utility construction. He now leads operations for vacuum excavation and storm response services, helping expand capabilities and mobilize crews for disaster recovery efforts. Joe is also deeply involved within his community through the Lions Club, Moolah Shriners, Mid-Mo Shriners, and as VP of the Montgomery County Fair Board.

Dan Tait

VP of Assets & Special Projects

Dan is the Vice President of Assets and Special Projects at Sellenriek Companies, bringing over 20 years of experience in the utility industry. His background spans roles in estimating, project management, development, and fleet operations. In his current role, he oversees company-wide fleet management and supports strategic planning and process implementation across departments. Dan holds a BA in business from Central Michigan University and is a U.S. Army veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division.

Chris Calbreath

Chief Technology Officer

Chris is the Chief Technology Officer at Sellenriek Companies, where he leads technology strategy, infrastructure modernization, and software development. With over 20 years in IT and networking, he brings deep expertise in enterprise systems, cloud solutions, and network architecture. Before joining Sellenriek, Chris co-founded Gateway Fiber and held senior roles at SumnerOne and Sellenriek Construction. He’s also the architect behind OpSource, a proprietary SaaS platform for utility field data and workflow automation.

Jenny Ramsour

Director of Human Resources

Jenny is the Director of Human Resources at Sellenriek Companies. She holds over 15 years of management experience across payroll, benefits, recruiting, and employee relations. Jenny is passionate about building strong, trust-based teams and promoting a culture of accountability, consistency, and continuous improvement. Jenny sees employment as the company’s greatest asset and works to foster a supportive and engaged workforce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sellenriek Construction serves clients across Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and throughout the Midwest and Central United States. Whether it’s underground utility work in rural Missouri or fiber installation for municipal utilities in Illinois, our crews are equipped to handle projects of any size across the region.

We partner with a diverse range of clients including independent ISPs, municipal utilities, electric cooperatives, major broadband providers, and local government agencies. Our regional experience helps us meet the unique needs of each community and utility provider.

Our fleet includes state-of-the-art horizontal directional drilling rigs, vacuum excavation trucks, aerial fiber construction equipment, and GIS-enabled project management tools. This equipment is deployed on projects throughout Midwestern states, allowing us to work efficiently in both urban and rural environments.

Safety is our top priority. We maintain a robust in-house training facility for all employees and have been recognized with 2024 awards from Captive Insurance Risk Control for Risk Control Merit and Fleet Safety. Our safety protocols meet or exceed standards across all our service areas in the Midwest.

We specialize in broadband deployment, underground utility construction, aerial fiber work, and vacuum excavation across the Midwest. From fiber-to-the-home projects in Kansas to damage prevention in Arkansas, we deliver turnkey solutions tailored to each state’s local infrastructure needs.

Absolutely. We have deep experience with Rural Utility Service broadband projects in rural areas across Missouri, Oklahoma, and Illinois. Our team understands the challenges of rural deployments and works closely with local ISPs and municipal leaders to ensure reliable, future-ready infrastructure.

Unlike many contractors, we offer full-service solutions- including design-build, engineering, vacuum excavation, aerial fiber construction, and GIS-integrated project dashboards- with a deep footprint in Midwestern states. Our combination of local expertise, safety-first training, and cutting-edge equipment sets us apart.

We’re always looking for hard-working professionals across our service areas, including Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, and Oklahoma. We offer career growth opportunities, training and competitive benefits to all our employees. Visit our careers page to explore current openings. 

Ready to Build
‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ with Sellenriek

Ready to Build
‎ ‎ ‎ with Sellenriek