Apex Steel
Kevin Koester
Chairman of the Board
Kevin started his career as an ironworker in 1986. Quickly moving through the ranks from journeyman to superintendent Kevin had the goal of owning his own company by the time he was 30. In 1996, he started Apex Steel as a rebar placing company out of his home, working in the field by day and handling the business at night. With Kevin’s ingenuity and efficiency, the company quickly grew. His passion for ironworking grew the scope of his business from rebar and structural to tower cranes, supply and install, and hoist and expanding Apex Steel geographically. When Kevin sees a need in a market he strives to find the solution. Kevin built his team over the years, and now focuses on unique and challenging projects, preconstruction services and the attention to detail that these projects require. Kevin is a board member of the Local 86 Joint Apprenticeship Committee (JATC) and is a contractor representative with IMPACT. Kevin attributes careful balance for his success in life and business. Enjoying life with his wife and two children and managing Apex Steel are the most important forces in his life. He strives to give equally to both by living in every moment and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle.
Kelly Huestis
President, Apex Steel
Kelly has been with Apex for more than 20 years. He brings exceptional organization, detailed planning and excellent customer service skills to every project. His pride in the finished product ensures his commitment throughout the construction process. Kelly has been an Ironworker for over 30 years and currently sits on the JATC for local 86. In 2015 he received his STSC from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. Originally from California, Kelly now lives in Washington with his wife and two kids. He is also heavily involved in his local soccer clubs.
Todd Harris
Senior Project Manager, VP
Todd brings 15 plus years of experience in estimating and project management in the structural steel industry. He has B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering. His vast experience in estimating and managing projects for both fabrication and erection of structural steel benefit both the contractor and owner. As the father of 3 boys, Todd enjoys baseball, food, family fun and spending time with his wonderful wife.
Rich Tanaka
Chief Estimator
Rich has been with Apex for more than 10 years. His ability to build relationships with suppliers, General contractor PE’s and estimators is well known. Rich’s attention to detail and organizational skills in the early stage project information and gathering process is unparalleled. Rich maintains communication with suppliers and vendors to guarantee accurate pricing on all estimates. He has a B.A. from Western Washington University and enjoys football, NASCAR, gaming and cooking.
Lindsey Smith
Operations Manager
Lindsey grew up in Norman, Oklahoma, and pursued her academic interests at the University of Oklahoma, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and an MBA. To further refine her skills, she obtained a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.
As the Operations Manager at Apex Steel, Lindsey oversees daily operations with a strong emphasis on quality control, safety, and continuous improvement. She collaborates with various teams to streamline processes, optimize efficiency, and ensure that all projects meet high standards of performance and compliance. Since relocating to Seattle in 2016, Lindsey and her husband have embraced the Pacific Northwest lifestyle, enjoying outdoor adventures with their three children. In her spare time, she loves camping, hiking, kayaking, attending concerts, and getting lost in a good novel.
Arvid Olson
Financial Controller
Arvid recently joined Apex as their Financial Controller. He brings over 20 years of finance experience in a diverse range of industries including Aerospace Manufacturing, Real Estate Development, Commercial Construction as well as Tech Startups. Arvid grew up in Northern Virginia just outside Washington DC. He has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Accounting and a Minor in Finance.
He relocated to Washington State with his family in August of 2021. Arvid is happily married and has 2 sons. When he is not running after his kids or spending time with his wife you can catch him in the garage working on projects or taking care of his home. Arvid and his family enjoy live sporting events, exploring national parks, and live music with his wife.
Sara Ingersoll
HR Manager
Sara is the daughter of a rocket scientist (her mom was a mechanical engineer for NASA) and a cruciverbalist (her dad composed crossword puzzles for the New York Times). With a passion for life-long learning, she studied Linguistics, Spanish, & Psychology at Western Washington University. After a 13-year-long career in retail/retail management, she is looking forward to being part of the Apex Steel team and carrying forward her organizational skills & attention to detail. Sara lives in Kirkland, WA with her husband Garran, their two cats Baxter & Dexter, and their french bulldog Linda. In her spare time she enjoys creative endeavors such as painting ceramics or making baby quilts, and visiting her family in Portland, Oregon every chance she gets!
Michelle Baba
Pre-Construction Manager
Michelle is excited to be a part of the Apex Steel team as the Pre-construction Manager to utilize her logistic and collaborative skills honed in her 7 years in retail operations. She earned a degree in Business Management. at Western Washington University. Michelle is passionate about projects, teams, and her family, which includes her husband of 7 years and son Henry. In her free time, you will likely find her with her family and siblings, at a microbrewery, on an outdoor adventure, or in the middle of an intense and overly competitive game night.
Lisa Edgar
General Accountant
Originally from Northshore Hawaii, Lisa brings a positive attitude and extensive experience keeping everything running smoothly in the office. Willing to embrace and conquer anything, she also assists the field when administrative tasks arise. She utilizes innovative technology and electronic integration for payroll and account payables. Lisa enjoys a good bottle of wine, preferably from Washington and cooking. She loves her two Schnauzer mutts, Jaxon and Payton.
Mabel Kwan
Administrative Assistant
Mabel was born in Hong Kong and raised in Bellevue, Washington. She attended Bellevue College where she received her AA in business and later studied at University of Washington where she continued her education in communications and networking. In her spare time Mabel enjoys traveling, lifting, bubble tea, and spending time with friends, family, and her three dogs!
Erin Comparri
Project Engineer
Erin’s background includes 10 years of experience in Event Production and Procurement where the operating conditions are fast paced and milestones are event driven. Erin holds a BA in Mathematics and Geography and a ME in Mathematical Modeling and Computer Simulation. Erin is also OSHA 30 certified and can operate some heavy equipment. In her spare time she enjoys hiking, gardening, and origami.
Jared Donnel
Project Coordinator
Born and raised in Washingtonian, Jared brings a jack of all trades mindset to the workplace. With his experience at Boeing as well as his financial background, he enjoys the process of taking on any new challenge and capitalizing on the professional growth each brings. As a student athlete, Jared lead his D2 collegiate cross-country team to nationals twice before graduating with a Financial Planning degree in 2022. Outside the workplace, he enjoys running, mountaineering, and climbing.
Daniel Baldschun
Project Coordinator
Daniel was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. He has been in the construction industry since 2006.
Daniel is certified in OSHA 30, Forklift and CPR/First Aid.
Daniel is married with 5 kids. And in his spare time, he likes to coach baseball and soccer.
Jack Clark
Project Coordinator
Jack was born and raised in Dacula, Georgia. After graduating high school, Jack enlisted in the Army where he served for 10 years deploying to numerous countries around the world leading teams of soldiers. From his experience in the Army, Jack strives for excellence and professional growth in challenging aspects through teamwork and dedication. In his free time, Jack enjoys travelling, spending time in the outdoors with his wife and dog, and CrossFit.
Don Nelson
Senior Superintendent
Don is originally from Orange County, California and started as an Ironworker in Washington in 1999. Don was hired at Apex Steel in 2004 and has continued to serve the company well with his communication skills, organizational ability, and attention to detail. In addition, his planning and leadership skills have helped him in running some of Apex’s largest steel erection jobs. He has been essential in the completion of Facebook's Seattle Headquarters and Macy's $13 million steel package retrofit, the 2+U project (a very unique 38 story steel high rise) and most recently 555, the tallest building in Bellevue. He is OSHA 30 certified, a certified welder, qualified rigger, and IMPACT leadership trained. Don is married with 4 kids and enjoys riding his Harley and working on his yard.
Kevin Shields
Senior Superintendent
Kevin is an experienced ironworker and a certified welder. He started with Apex in 2000 and has brought over 30 years of ironwork experience to the team. Kevin is OSHA 30 certified and has overseen a multitude of projects in Washington State from Sky Bridges and multi-story buildings to a variety of expansions and hospitals, including the Space Needle remodel and CenturyLink field expansion. As a lifelong Enumclaw, Washington resident, Kevin enjoys hunting and fishing with his wife Gina, his 8 children, and 6 grandsons. He also volunteers with the Feed the Troops organization and Full bellies a local outreach program.
Kalin Wate
Senior Superintendent
Kalin brings 25 years of rebar and post tensioning experience to the Apex Family. He started with Apex in 1999 and has worked on a wide variety of projects in Washington including Emerald Downs, Muckleshoot Casino and the Chief Joseph Dam. As a native of Washington, he has a special appreciation for well-made buildings and improvements and loves being part of the team creating lasting structures. Kalin enjoys hiking and biking in the great outdoors, spending time with his four active children and running an occasional half marathon.
Dustin Irwin
Superintendent
Dustin entered the Ironworkers Union in 2005 after high school. He is a 3rd generation Ironworker, and joined the team at Apex in 2017.
Dustin is OSHA 30 certified, a Qualified Rigger and completed Superintendent training in 2015.
His favorite project is the T Mobile bridge due to its complexity, unique erection challenges and strategies it took to erect.
Dustin spends his free time with family, coaching baseball, hunting and fishing.
Berry Rich
Safety Manager
Originally from Olympia, WA Berry spent time traveling around the world with the Military. After his service he obtained a degree in Emergency Management, welding certifications and joined the local 96 millwright union. During his time as a welder at the Port of Seattle he completed various safety trainings and started to further his career in Safety in 2018. Berry is a member of the ANSI Z359 board, LNI board for Fall Protection WA State, and is a qualified person in fall protection. Berry recharges his battery spending time outdoors, riding his Harley and traveling with his 3 kids.
David Romero
Superintendent
David grew up in the Tacoma area of Washington and was attracted to the Ironworkers because of the physical nature of the job, which aligned with his passion for sports and the physical demands of the job. He joined the Ironworkers immediately after graduating from high school in 2000. After completing his apprenticeship, he quickly advanced to leadership positions, eventually becoming a Superintendent. He has contributed to some of Washington State's most significant projects, primarily in the erecting aspect of the trade. Additionally, he holds certifications, OSHA 30, Subpart R, Rigging/Signal Person, WABO welding, Impacts Superintendent training, and Improving Construction Productivity.
Frank Etzler
Shop Manager
Frank Etzler was born and raised in Kirkland WA. A graduate of Lake Washington High School, Frank went right to work in the steel trade and has been there for 47 years. Frank runs the yard and shop at Apex and his attention to detail and organization guarantee everything is work ready. Frank loves upland bird hunting and fishing as well as spending time with his family.
Apex Steel Montana
Brian McLean
President, Apex Montana
Brian is a Montana native and grew up following his father, whom was also a leader on construction projects all over the United States. Brian started to learn the art of welding at the age of 11. At 18 he began his formal career with steel. His partnership extends the Apex vision across Montana, Wyoming and North Dakota. He brings leadership, field knowledge, and experience to the team. Brian is also involved in several committees relating to the ironworker industry and his community. He is very passionate about the success of steel industry and continual improvements.
Brian attributes his success by living out his core values no matter what the challenges; honesty, positivity, and forward innovative thinking. Brian focuses on keeping life in perspective and balancing family and Apex, improving every day in what we do and how we do it. Brian loves spending any down time with his family and anything outdoors.
Traci Enright
Operations Manager
Traci is a Montana native who comes from 20 years of retail. She has joined the Apex Montana team in June of 2018. She brings to Apex Montana her knowledge in leadership, logistics, developing policies & procedures, and training. Traci moved back to Montana after a decade of traveling around the U.S. for other companies. In her spare time, Traci enjoys hanging at her family cabin and traveling the globe.
Del Watson
Project Manager
Del brings over 12 years of estimating and project management experience to Apex Steel, as well as, 15 years as a certified welder. Del holds a Degree in Project Management from Colorado Technical University and a certificate from Boston University, and has been involved in both sales and business management. Del is OSHA 40 certified.
He spends his down time hunting, camping, fishing, metal detecting and spending time with his wife, Deb, and their three grandchildren.
Derek Cottrill
Project Manager
Derek attended Montana State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing. Derek brings two years of experience estimating structural steel buildings, and over 12 years of experience in sales, estimating, negotiation, supply chain management, and team building. Derek enjoys problem solving and building strong relationships with all our team members.
Derek's interests include hunting, fishing, camping, golfing, home remodel projects, staying active, and spending time with family, my wife and two boys, and friends.
Jay Meier
Pre Construction Manager
Jay brings 20 years of experience in ironwork from powerplants, multistory work, retrofit, and large storage facilities. Jay handles our preconstruction planning services, logistical solutions, scheduling and crane planning. Jay is OSHA 30 trained, a qualified rigger/signalman, and a certified welder.
Jay enjoys working his family cattle operation, hunting, fishing, anything outdoors, and spending time with his kids/grandkid. Jay has 12 years a 4-H leader and shooting sports instructor. Jay is married with 3 children and one granddaughter.
Jared Kovnesky
Superintendent
Jared was born and raised in Montana. He has 22 years of experience in Ironworking. Jared has been with Apex Montana since its inception in 2011. Jared brings a wide range of experience to the team including premanufactured buildings, multi-story structures, bridges, and setting precast. When he’s not working, you’ll find him in the mountains under the big blue sky of Montana.
Nic Fellows
Superintendent
Nic brings 13 years as a union ironworker to the positions He is a certified wire and stick welder and a certified rigger.
Nic enjoys camping with his wife and two daughters, bow hunting, ice fishing, and river rafting.
Patrick Ryan
Shop Manager
Patrick brings a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Biology and Chemistry to this position as well as being highly organized. He uses those skills to keep the shop neat and labeled. He’s quick learner who has taught himself how to weld. He’s responsible for tool repair work, tool purchasing, maintaining vendor relationships, and logistics for tool transport to and from jobsites.
Patrick enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, and sports and spending time with his wife and newborn son.
Apex Tower Crane
Josh Calquhoun
President, Apex Tower Crane
Self motivated, dedicated and result oriented, Josh leads the Apex Tower Crane team. Personally known as one of the premier tower crane erectors in the Northwest, Josh has been with ATC since its inception and became a shareholder in 2018. With over 15 years experience as a union ironworker Josh has a thorough understanding of the industry and applies his skill and knowledge to consistently deliver high quality projects to all stakeholders.
BA Phillips
Lead Technician
BA works closely with the state inspectors and contractors to bring the safest environment possible to temporary construction hoists and tower cranes on jobsites. He holds a seat on the L&I elevator safety committee and is a voting member for Category 4 license holders on Washington State’s Elevator Technical Advisory Committee. He also represents Apex in the AGC’s Stakeholders Committee. BA has worked as a tower crane and elevator technician since 2003. BA has an Associates in electrical and electronics engineering.
Darrell Sigman
Superintendent
Darrell has been with Apex Steel for almost 7 years. He has worked for Apex Tower Crane for 5. For the last 3 years he has been a Superintendent for Apex Tower Crane and runs the field operations.
Darrell utilizes his expertise to skillfully and successfully complete every job. He takes on challenging projects, all while maintaining Apex Tower Crane’s stellar safety record. He has experience with a multitude of different crane models, including Liebherr, Comansa, Wolff, Comedil, and Potain.
One of Darrell’s favorite projects, and one that he is most proud to be a part of, is the tower crane erection and dismantle at the 5th & Columbia “The Mark” project (the 4th tallest building in Seattle). Check out the scope of work detailed on our Innovation Page.
Darrell enjoys spending time outdoors with his 2 sons biking, boating, skiing and snowboarding.
Wes Reynolds
Assistant Superintendent
Wes is a Seattle native with eight years' experience as a tower crane and man lift erector. He has three years' experience as an elevator technician and has been a foreman for Apex Tower Crane since 2020. He brings great attention to detail and a vast knowledge of erection processes with tower cranes and construction elevators of all types. Working safely and getting everyone home at the end of the day is his highest priority. Wes is married with one son and a lazy dog.
Samuel Bartholomew
Assistant Superintendent
Samuel brings over 20 years’ experience in the building trades, including 15 years as a local 86 union ironworker. Samuel joined the Apex Tower Crane family in 2014. He has been involved in major projects in the greater Seattle area including the Space Needle, Seattle Children's Hospital, and Amazon. His experience helps him to be effective, safe, and able to adapt to new situations. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.
Apex Steel Spokane
Shelby Martin
Superintendent - Spokane
Shelby is a 5th generation ironworker who brings 18 years of experience to the job.
He is detail oriented, with great communication and leadership, which helps keep projects running smoothly and on time.
Shelby is a certified structural welder with rigging, signalman, OSHA10 and 30 certifications.
When not erecting iron he enjoys spending time with his wife and 4 children.
Travis Ray
Estimator/Project Coordinator - Spokane
Travis began his career as an Ironworker with Local 14 in 2008. In 2022, he transitioned into his current role with Apex Steel. Using his field experience and attention to detail, Travis prides himself on creating accurate estimates and bringing value engineering to the table. When he’s not at work, you can find him outside adventuring with his wife and two boys.
Kevin Dix
Project Manager - Spokane
Kevin graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Washington State University in Construction Management with a minor in Business Administration. He has been in the construction business for over 25 years. He has many years of heavy structural steel experience and was part owner of Dix Corporation, a family-owned business. Dix Corporation built bridges, installed heavy steel structures, and did marine work on dams. Kevin is married and has 4 children. He has been an active member in many organizations including the Associated General Contractors, a Volunteer for United Way, Spokane Youth Soccer Association, Mount Spokane Ski Race Team and Spokane Rotary. In his free time, Kevin loves to be outside in nature, all things sports, music, cooking and traveling.