Kent Companies Announces the Promotion of Ben Herrema, CFO and Duane Andrus, Executive Vice President
[GRAND RAPIDS, MI] – Kent Companies announces the promotion of Ben Herrema, CPA, MBA to Chief Financial Officer and Duane Andrus to Executive Vice President.
Herrema has a five-year tenure with Kent Companies and previously served as Assistant Controller and Chief Controller for the organization. He holds responsibility for the strategic management of Kent Companies’ resources, record-keeping and financial analysis. Herrema oversees a team of twelve accounting professionals across West Michigan and Texas.
Kent Companies CEO Jeff VanderLaan shared, “Ben has been instrumental in guiding Kent Companies through the organization’s steepest growth curve in three generations. Over the past five years, we’ve expanded our footprint to nine offices with a workforce of over 1,500 concrete construction professionals nationwide.”
VanderLaan continued, “Ben’s contributions to our team extend beyond the accounting function. He provides strategic insights to our operating managers across the country and ensures we are positioned to grow in our key markets. Above all else, Ben is driven by our core value to invest in our people. He champions new resources, advanced technology and benefits enhancements that help our entire team build rewarding and meaningful careers.” Herrema is a graduate of Davenport University and earned his CPA designation in 2016.
Andrus assumes the role of Executive Vice President with oversight of three underpinning divisions operating in Michigan and the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Andrus holds responsibility for safe and efficient installation services for helical piers and deep foundation solutions for general contractors, geotechnical engineers and residential clients. Andrus previously served as Division Manager and Vice President for West Michigan underpinning operations.
VanderLaan noted, “Duane consistently delivers safe, productive and highly successful outcomes for our customers. Under his leadership, our underpinning divisions will continue to grow across the Midwest.”
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About Kent Companies:
Kent Companies is a 3rd-generation family-owned business with expertise in commercial and industrial construction, mixed-use construction, multi-family housing, tilt-up concrete, post-tensioned cast in place structures and a full range of concrete-related specialties.
Kent Companies is headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan and has operations in Detroit, Michigan; Dallas and Austin, Texas; central Ohio; Charlotte, North Carolina and St. Louis, Missouri. Kent Companies employs over 1,500 concrete construction professionals nationwide, and the organization is ranked as the 9th largest concrete contractor nationwide by ENR Magazine. The Kent Companies team has built a reputation as “Leaders in Concrete.”
