Joined Ames: 1987
Position: Superintendent, Central and Eastern
Superintendent Roger Kraus joined Ames in 1987, following in the footsteps of his father, Chester “Hubba Hubba” Kraus. “My dad told me to show up on the job the next morning, and Ron Ames hired me on the spot,” Roger recalls. He credits early mentors Al Ames, Jim Sands, Terry Brennan, Wyatt Reed, and Jay Loffler for shaping his skills.
His most memorable job was the I‑35W/Highway 62 Crosstown project—one of MnDOT’s biggest projects up to that point in time. The project was exceptionally challenging due to traffic and staging, but ultimately successful.
After a career spent mostly in the Midwest, he ends his tenure in North Carolina. “I’ve enjoyed helping get the Eastern office job force built up and successful. Along the way, I have also enjoyed mentoring and meeting new coworkers here in the South.”
His parting words to his coworkers and future Ames employees are to learn and take advantage of the training and technology Ames offers. “It will help make you and ultimately Ames Construction successful. Finally, show up every day and on time.”
Roger is looking forward to traveling and spending time at his lake home in Cass Lake, Minnesota, fishing for walleye and hunting.
“Thank you to Ron and Butch for hiring me and giving me and my family a chance to help build this company up to what it is today for almost 39 years.”