2026 40 Under 40: Klay Camden

Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who both had careers in construction, Klay Camden knew from an early age what he wanted to do when he grew up.

Now 38, Camden has accrued 15 years of experience in construction, working at Kiewit Corp. for nearly a decade before joining Emery Sapp & Sons Inc. in 2020. He was promoted in 2024 to senior project manager, overseeing projects such as both phases of the Kansas Expressway extension, a $28.2 million job that created a new north-south corridor in Springfield.

Noting it as his most significant career contribution to date, he says the project team completed it under budget and ahead of schedule.

Camden is a member of Springfield Contractors Association’s Generation Next, a professional group for ages 40 and under, and volunteers as a youth travel softball coach and 4-H project leader.