Young Professional of the Year

Hammersley closes the generation gap

By Jennifer Pfaff

Keith Hammersley Hammersley Stone Co. Inc.

Information technology manager with Hammersley Stone Co. Inc., Fitchburg

It’s a problem every company must one day face.

As one generation moves out, another comes in to take its place. It’s not always a smooth transition; the older generation can’t always relate to those who will succeed it. The younger crew has a different skill set, different needs and different expectations.

It’s the generation gap, and the best way to solve it is to find someone who can act as a bridge. Keith Hammersley, president of Fitchburg-based Hammersley Stone Co. Inc., thinks he found that person in his son, Nathan Hammersley.

Without a younger perspective, the company’s management would struggle to meet the needs of its workers, who range in age from their late teens to their 60s.

“I’m 58, he’s 31,” Keith said of Nathan. “He’s a lot more connected with the younger people of today, and he knows what they are looking for. You have to have someone who can say, ‘Hey, the younger people aren’t going to like that.’”

Letting Nathan take on greater responsibilities running the company’s inside work — anything from fixing faulty computers to handling payroll — helps Hammersley Stone keep pace with changing times and a changing work force, Keith said.

And Nathan’s impact isn’t restricted to his father’s company. Nathan also brings a fresh perspective as a member of the general board of directors of the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin.

It’s for those reasons — as well as Nathan’s commitment to learning multiple aspects of the building industry and his ability to be a leader within it — that he was named Wisconsin Builder’s Young Professional of the Year.

“The one thing that jumps out at you is Nate’s genuine interest in people,” said Ken Collins, executive vice president of J.F. Ahern Co. in Madison and AGC board member with Nathan. “He’s very helpful, very willing to give of himself. He’s not afraid to get involved and help the industry.”

Nathan and Collins first met several years ago when they completed AGC Leadership, a program for young members of the building trades. Participants meet once a month for nine months to explore various aspects of their careers — insurance, project management, communication and more — with the goal of preparing to take on more responsibility.

Nathan took those lessons to heart, Collins said, and brings them to the table for the AGC of Wisconsin.

Collins uses the Industry Participation Project as an example of Nathan’s influence on contractors statewide. Nathan is working behind the scenes on a Web site under development that will bring businesses together to share thoughts and experiences about best practices.

The goal is to let contractors of every ilk learn from each other. The result should be a stronger construction industry in Wisconsin.

And that knack for getting people together is one of Nathan’s strongest skills, Keith said.

“He listens,” Keith said. “He isn’t too quick to react, to overreact. He organizes things in a way so as to get the best possible reaction.

“When you are trying to get people to buy into something and do things a certain way, you have to be able to talk to them. Nathan can converse with anyone, whether it’s an engineer or an accountant.”

Collins said he thinks Nathan’s upbringing might be a strong source of his talents. Not only does Nathan have personal experience inside the office, he also grew up listening to his dad at the dinner table and working in the field while he was in school.

And he has drive.

“He has a strong interest in getting involved in the industry; that sets him apart from others in his generation,” Collins said.