2018 40 Under 40 Yearbook: John Griesemer, 50

Then: COO, Springfield Underground Inc.
Now: President and CEO, Springfield Underground Inc.

Throughout the last 18 years, John Griesemer has watched Springfield Underground Inc. grow – literally. Since ceasing mining operations in 2015, the underground tenant space has added close to 1 million square feet, he says.

But, the growth hasn’t come without obstacles.

During the Great Recession, the construction-materials side of business, known as Westside Stone LLC, dwindled, but has recently seen an uptick, Griesemer says.

“It’s still down compared to the levels we hit in 2006 and 2007,” he says. “We were like everyone else. Everything was booming. I’d almost say it stopped but has now come back on.”

And now Griesemer is beginning a new chapter as he takes the helm of the company. He succeeded his uncle, Louis Griesemer, in January as president and CEO.