Ryan Koopmann
Age: 35.
Job Title/ Place of Employment: Project Manager, Conlon Construction.
Volunteer Activities: Member of the Dyersville Volunteer Fire Department where he is a Certified Emergency Medical Responder, Member of the Building & Grounds Committee at the Basilica of St Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Race Day Volunteer for the Grandview Gallop, and T-Ball Coach.
Education: Class of 2011, University of Northern Iowa, studying Construction Management and business concepts.
Family: Wife, Lynnette; Daughter, Reese; Sons, Ronan and Rhett
Who is the most inspirational person to me and why: My Mom and Dad. I have a lot to learn from the way that they were able to raise a family and the values that they instilled in me, and I am hoping to do the same with my kids.
What do you like to do outside of work: Doing anything outdoors and spending time with family.
What does success mean to you? Having a career that supports my family, giving back to the community that I live in, and being seen as a good person that others like to be around.
Describe yourself in three words. Driven. Hardworking. Energetic.
What advice would you give your past self? Don’t be afraid to take chances, have confidence in yourself, and work hard.
Ryan Koopmann is not only passionate about construction, but also community.
In the past 13 years, Koopmann has built a strong reputation in the construction industry, particularly with his long-standing role as a project manager at Conlon Construction. But his journey began long before he joined the company, with internships that laid the foundation for his success.
“I was able to take advantage of internships each summer,” Koopmann said, reflecting on the early days of his career. “It gave me the opportunity to see a lot of different companies.”
Those internships provided Koopmann with an insight into the industry and gave him a diverse skillset he could later use when starting his career post-college.
“I started with Conlon when I graduated from school,” Koopmann said. “And I have been very fortunate to be with them for the last 13 years.”
Thirteen years at one company is no small feat, especially in an industry as dynamic and challenging as construction. It is a clear indication that what Koopmann found in Conlon Construction was not just a job, but a place where he could grow and make a meaningful impact.
In his early years at the company, Koopmann spent most of that time on the road.
“During my time at Conlon, I spent my first five years on the road working on some of our casino projects,” Koopmann said.
Not only were these projects large in scale, but they provided Koopmann with a great amount of experience.
After his time on the road, Koopmann returned to Dubuque, where he immersed himself in the community.
When reflecting on his career, it is not only about the projects but the clients he gets to work with.
“I get to work on something new every day,” Koopmann said. “I am able to work with some phenomenal clients that make the jobs that I work on quite fun.”
Each project brings its unique challenge, and Koopmann’s team helps ease those difficulties by bringing expertise, dedication and a collaborative approach to every job.
“The team that I am surrounded by is very talented and devoted to what we do,” Koopmann said. “It is pretty rewarding all the way around.”
Becky Conlon, executive vice president at Conlon Construction, nominated Koopmann for the Rising Star Award.
“Ryan is a valued and welcome member of the Conlon team,” Conlon said. “He can be counted on to act with the highest of ethical standards at all times. Ryan demonstrates humility by sharing responsibility for a project’s success, but also taking responsibility for any setbacks that may occur.”
Conlon also shared how Koopmann demonstrates leadership day to day.
“Ryan is flexible and open to change, often taking on the role of spearheading and facilitating new initiatives, troubleshooting software adaptations and offering unique solutions to issues that arise,” Conlon said. “He was instrumental in organizing monthly project management operations meetings and took the lead in the creation and adaptation of an internal, cross-functional process improvement project. Ryan encourages continuous learning and professional development within the team.”
In addition to his construction work, Koopmann is a dedicated community volunteer. He’s an active member of the Dyersville Volunteer Fire Department and a certified emergency medical responder. He also shares his construction skills on the building and grounds committee at the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier in Dyersville, Iowa, coaches T-ball and helps out on race day for the Grandview Gallop.
Koopmann is both a driven businessman and a devoted family man. His dedication extends beyond his professional achievements, reflecting a strong balance between his career and family values.
From his early internships to his current role at Conlon Construction, he has continuously embraced new challenges and opportunities for growth. Koopmann shines bright not only as a leader in the construction industry, but as an engaged member of his community.