Susan was raised in Toronto, Canada. Her father ran York Steel, one of the largest in N. America. She and her four brothers grew up around steel and aggregate products, as they would often play hide and seek in the plants. Later graduating from Hampshire College in 1986, her father asked her to come in as top management. She said she would only join him if she could learn by starting in shipping, as she "didn't want to be the boss's daughter." In 1999, Hanson bought their operation and Susan stayed on. In 2002, she went to Columbus, Ohio to operate four concrete operations. Since then, she has been in Apple Valley overseeing here and Sioux Falls.
She told us, "we're the first product put in at any site, so we start things. It takes a top team effort to everyday, solve each site,s inevitable problems. Communication on our team is what makes things happen and is our key, as in any business." Hanson employs nearly 100 people in Apple Valley alone. They are an $8 billion company, with 360 U.S. locations and in 16 countries throughout Australia, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the U.K. They specialize in pre-cast concrete (Apple Valley), and are the world's largest producer of aggregates and concrete pipe. They are third largest worldwide producer of ready-mixed concrete and employ 28,000 people.
She loves fine wines, dining and collects contemporary art. As cultural as Toronto is, she sees the Twin Cities as really making its cultural mark.
Thank you Susan. You've made a "concrete decision" by being in Apple Valley. |
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