On this episode of Groundbreakers: Stories of Rural Innovation, we sit down with our fearless leader, Aaron Jantz, CEO, to learn more about his journey from a kid answering phones on a party line to leading one of the Midwest’s most trusted agricultural construction companies.
Aaron opens up about growing up in the business his father, Max Jantz, built from scratch—recalling summer days spent in a skid loader, drilling post holes at just 12 years old. That early hands-on experience now shapes his leadership style, as he guides MJE’s teams to build smarter, cleaner, and stronger cattle facilities, dairies, and feedyards.
In this candid conversation, Aaron shares:
- How MJE designs feedyards and dairies for maximum manure capture
- What it takes to balance tradition with innovation in rural construction
- Why concrete isn’t forever—and how to pour smarter
- What RCC (Roller Compacted Concrete) could mean for the future of livestock facilities
- The secret to retaining top talent in a tough industry
With insights into digester technology, regulatory pressures, and the power of trust in leadership, Aaron offers a masterclass in forward-thinking construction—all while staying true to the values that built MJE from the ground up.
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