After working for 61 years, 40 of them at the firm he founded, Brinkmann Constructors Founder and Chairman of the Board Bob Brinkmann is retiring to enjoy farming and travel.
“I started working at age 13, delivering prescriptions for 39th Street Pharmacy on my bicycle. I’m ready to spend precious time with my wife, Kim, on our farm and traveling together,” said Brinkmann, who recently turned 75. “I’m grateful that the Brinkmann team is exceptionally well-prepared to continue delivering outstanding results to clients and developing repeat relationships.”
Beginning in 2013, Brinkmann engineered the transition of company ownership and leadership to ensure a seamless exit. CEO Brian Satterthwaite, 57, and President Tom Oberle, 56, who joined Brinkmann in 1994 and 1993, respectively, continue to lead the company’s 450 employee-owners. In its first 40 years, the firm has completed a cumulative total of more than 1,500 projects in 38 states, representing $10 billion in construction. Working from offices in St. Louis, Denver, Kansas City, Richmond and Phoenix, the firm is active nationally and locally in the industrial, multifamily/student housing, senior living, mixed-use and hospitality sectors. Brinkmann ranks 73rd nationally on Engineering News-Record’s Top 400 General Contractors list based on 2023 revenues of nearly $1.65 billion.
Bob Brinkmann will remain active in various community initiatives. As a member of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission from 2017-23 and 2021-23 chair, he played a key role in gaining legislative approval of a $2.8 billion program to reconstruct about 200 miles of I-70. He is currently engaged with the St. Louis Police Foundation, providing support for regional policing efforts.
“Brinkmann Constructors has doubled in size during the first two years of leadership by Brian Satterthwaite and Tom Oberle,” Brinkmann said. “Brian and Tom have demonstrated their skills and passion for leading Brinkmann Constructors into a new era with a team that is stronger than ever. I am thrilled to have such a strong team ready to sustain what I began.”
“Bob has built an incredible legacy and a platform on which Brinkmann Constructors can continue to achieve steady growth,” said Satterthwaite. “Our entire team is forever grateful to Bob for his visionary leadership and his generosity in transitioning Brinkmann Constructors to an employee-owned company. Our ownership structure inspires our whole team to be invested in advocating for our clients through straight talk, unwavering integrity and creative solutions.”
Oberle pointed to Brinkmann’s commitment to invest in team members’ growth and proficiency as a lasting influence. “Bob’s constant emphasis on training and developing our young engineers is now woven into the career path of every team member. He always recognized that we drive success and accomplishment for our clients through the capabilities of our people,” Oberle said.
Another key attribute has been Brinkmann’s deep commitment to community. “Bob modeled for us how to be great corporate citizens through community engagement and contribution,” Satterthwaite said. “Those efforts forged the deep relationships we enjoy and nurture today.”
In addition to Brinkmann’s corporate giving, Brinkmann’s employee-owners have supported more than 60 charities since 2014. Brinkmann volunteers bring hands-on help to nonprofits selected by teams in each office. Over the program’s first 10 years, team members have raised more than $1 million in cash for nonprofits and donated hundreds of hours in service. Brinkmann Constructors was recognized among the 2024 top corporate philanthropists by the St. Louis Business Journal in the St. Louis region during 2023.
