After many years of dedication, craftsmanship, and hard work, we’d like to announce the retirement of Blaine Fries, a valued member of the Crossland team since July 2008.
Blaine’s journey with Crossland began when he was between jobs and had just built his own home. His path crossed with Cecil Tarter and Ron Parker, who both helped him get a job here. His first project was working on an Aldi project store in Bolivar with Cecil.
From the start, Blaine’s role was to “do whatever it takes” to get the job done. He worked closely with Cecil on several Aldi projects, taking them from the ground up to completion—handling everything from concrete work to doors and hardware. From there he worked on projects like the high school in Clinton, MO, with Jerry Girup, and then on to a middle school in Nixa, MO, along with many more too numerous to recall. Blainewas truly a jack of all trades but held the title of Finish Carpenter.
One of Blaine’s most memorable achievements was setting 750 windows at the 2nd and Delaware project in Kansas City. These windows weighed an impressive 1,100 lbs. each, and with the help of a specialized machine, Blaine and another crew member carefully set them in place, along with all the doors on the project.
Blaine fondly remembers the camaraderie on jobs, particularly laughing and cutting up with Jared Sloniker, who made the workday just a bit more fun.
Reflecting on his time in the construction industry, Blaine offers this advice to the next generation: “Listen to your instructions and make sure you have the adequate materials and tools needed to do the job.” These words are simple but true: preparation and diligence in the construction industry are essential for ensuring not just the success of a project but also the safety and efficiency of the team.
Blaine officially retired in July and since then says he’s only missed about three days on the golf course. He looks forward to spending more time with his wife and says they’re currently on the hunt for a pontoon boat. Blaine’s wife is excited to have him home more, enjoying the simple things like running errands and grocery shopping together.
Blaine, thank you for your contributions and many years of hard work here at Crossland. We wish you all the best in your well-deserved retirement.
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