YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
At least three former Morelock-Ross Builders Inc. employees broke off to start a new construction firm, Springfield Business Journal has confirmed.
Ross Construction Group LLC was registered with the Missouri secretary of state in September last year, and former Morelock-Ross employees David and Andy Ross, as well as Robin Newhart, switched their LinkedIn profiles to show positions at the newly created firm.
Reached by phone and email, David Ross confirmed the new company’s creation but declined to comment further. Morelock-Ross co-founder and President Wayne Morelock also declined to comment when reached at Morelock-Ross’ 722 W. Olive St. office. An employee who answered the phone at Morelock-Ross said co-founder Kenny Ross is no longer with the construction company. His LinkedIn profile continues to list him as vice president of Morelock-Ross.
It’s unclear if Kenny Ross, the father of David and Andy, is working at Ross Construction Group. Morelock-Ross.com currently states: “Wayne Morelock and Kenny Ross continue to lead the company as well as stand out as leaders and innovators in the industry.”
Morelock-Ross’ Missouri secretary of state filing also does not show a name or officer change. Its most recent registration report on April 25, 2017, lists Ross as secretary and a board member with Morelock. Morelock-Ross ranked fourth on SBJ’s 2017 list of the area’s largest commercial general contractors with $36.9 million in 2016 billings. Recent projects listed for the firm were Springfield Plaza, Farmers Park and Bear Village.
Ross Construction Group was registered with the secretary of state on Sept. 19, 2017. The filing lists registered agent Brett Roubal, an attorney with Baird Lightner Millsap PC, but does not name any of the company’s executives.
Ross Construction Group is serving as general contractor for Ozarks Food Harvest’s new $4.8 million warehouse addition, said Bart Brown, president and CEO of the Springfield nonprofit. Crews broke ground on the 56,000-square-foot warehouse in September, Bart said, noting completion is expected by June.
David and Andy Ross switched their LinkedIn profile occupations in October, followed by Newhart in November. David Ross was formerly director of operations at Morelock-Ross, and Andy Ross and Newhart were project managers, according to their LinkedIn profiles. David and Andy Ross now list their titles as co-owners of Ross Construction Group, and Newhart has a project manager role, according to the profiles.
Ross Construction Group also formed RossCGLLC.com, indicating the company operates at 2950 E. Battlefield Road. The website, which lists the firm’s specialties as commercial, medical, office and multifamily construction, asks users to “stop by periodically as we update the website.”
“Our projects range from small infills to large multimillion-dollar, design-build projects,” the website reads. “We specialize in tailoring the project based on the client's specific goals and needs.”
Connected to Watkins Elementary School is a new storm shelter now under construction.
