The Team
Bill J. Bendele, Jr. - Owner
As a third generation worker, "Backhoe Billy" has spent "a lifetime playing in the dirt." He remembers working in the industry even as a child, helping his father, Bill, Sr. any chance he got. His love for the family business grew as he worked under his father and alongside his siblings at Bill's Landscaping. When his father retired to work the farm, Bill, Jr. set out to start his own business and he and his wife, Mary, established Bendele Construction, LLC in 2004.
Aside from his advisor, Bill, Sr. himself, Bill, Jr. is the most experienced of all of the Bendele Construction, LLC employees. Bill, Jr. does not distance himself from his childhood work as so many CEO's do, but rather, he is hands on on every project which his employees undertake. Bill, Jr. seeks to establish quality work for customers and a familial work environment for all of his employees. He inspires dedication and determination in all of his employees and we are proud to have him leading our company.
Aside from his advisor, Bill, Sr. himself, Bill, Jr. is the most experienced of all of the Bendele Construction, LLC employees. Bill, Jr. does not distance himself from his childhood work as so many CEO's do, but rather, he is hands on on every project which his employees undertake. Bill, Jr. seeks to establish quality work for customers and a familial work environment for all of his employees. He inspires dedication and determination in all of his employees and we are proud to have him leading our company.
Mary "The Boss" Bendele - Chief Financial Officer
When Bill, Jr. established Bendele Construction, LLC, Mary was willing to do everything in her power to ensure her husband's new business was a success. Today, Mary serves as our CFO and brings her years of budgeting experience to the table. Mary is willing to offer any advice at any time she is able for the business. In addition, Mary also serves at the Jackson County Treasure's Department, and is president of B&M Bendele Corp. which manages Surf & Sand Resort, a campground on Clark Lake.
William J. Bendele, Sr. - Technical Advisor
It seems that William "Bill" Bendele, Sr. could not stay away from the family business. Bill, Sr. is the former owner of Bill's Landscaping, where he raised his children to value the art of working the land. Today, Bill, Sr. serves as an advisor to his son on any projects that may stump even "Backhoe Billy" himself. Every employee at Bendele Construction, LLC values his opinion. Bill, Sr. provides a link to the past, while at the same time, striving to forward the success of Bendele Construction, LLC.
Norma Heator - Office Manager
Norma Heator has been with Bendele Construction, LLC for over 5 years. When she joined the team she brought with her years of experience in payroll, invoicing, administration and budgeting from her time at Michigan Valley Homes. This combined experience has helped her to succeed and in turn, make Bendele Construction, LLC succeed. Norma also manages our Facebook page and aids in the website maintenance. In the words of Travis Tison, "the office couldn't survive without her." Here at Bendele Construction, LLC, we value all she has to offer and are excited for all of her future contributions to our company.
Makayla Bendele - Promotional Manager
Makayla Bendele is currently pursuing her Bachelors degree in Political Science and English Literature, with an emphasis on Environmental Studies at Adrian College. She works for Bendele Construction, LLC on an "on-call" basis as our Promotional Manager. She is one of the managers of our Facebook Page and is in charge of website maintenance and T-Shirt design. Makayla is currently in the process of working with Bill, Jr. to revise our logo. We are excited to see what the duo can add to the next chapter of Bendele Construction, LLC history.
Travis Tison - Shop & Operations GM
A valued member of Bendele Construction, LLC Travis Tison serves as our General Manager of the shop and operations. Even prior to his graduation from Addison High School, Travis has made it his mission to educate himself with all of the equipment at Bendele Construction, LLC. Travis brings years of experience to the company, having grown up in the business and learning to run the equipment from a young age. His knowledge of the equipment, willingness to aid, and immense experience in the field make Travis the perfect person to keep the equipment in pristine condition and to oversee the shop itself.
Bobby Crowley - Seawall Expert
Bobby Crowley has had nearly 30 years of experience working on seawalls. He has brought this expertise to Bendele Construction, LLC and has helped to forward our quality of work on all of our seawall/retaining wall projects. While still skilled in seawalls, Bobby is always willing to take on new projects. From home renovation projects to landscaping itself, Bobby has become one of the most diverse employees at Bendele Construction, LLC.
Nik Meiring - Equipment Operator & Labor Associate
Nik Meiring came onto the Bendele Construction, LLC team with a focus on sea walling. It soon became evident to the entire team that Nik possessed a capability to work on a variety of projects and, more importantly, a willingness to aid the company in any way he could. Over the years, Nik has built on this drive and has gained experience working on drainage fields, home renovations, landscaping, and has acquired an advanced sea walling technique. Nik is currently working on his CDL to make himself and even bigger asset to Bendele Construction, LLC.
Rod Arnett - Truck Driver & Welding Officer
Rodney Arnett brings years of welding experience and determination to Bendele Construction, LLC. He is always willing to and succeeds at mending any equipment that the shop needs from him. In addition, Rod holds his CDL and is the company's "go-to" man for hauling stone, gravel, topsoil, etc. He is also the shop's designated practical joker, and serves as the comedic relief.
Wes Daugherty - Truck Driver & Labor Associate
Wes brings with him many years of truck driving experience and a CDL certification. Here at Bendele Construction, LLC, Wes serves as one of our drivers, and also holds a focus in excavating. He has been with us since November of 2015.
Stanton Trumble - Truck Driver & Equipment Operator
Since joining the team in July of 2015, Stanton has become a valuable "utility player" to Bendele Construction, LLC. While his experience as a former racer has enabled him with an in depth insight to engines of all variety, Stanton also provides the company with knowledge in construction as well as machinery repair. Owner, Bill, Jr. has described Stanton as a guy with the ability to "fix anything," and as having a "go-to, get the job done right" kind of attitude. In hes dedication to the company, Stanton also comes in on the weekends, bringing along his son, Dalton, to oversee and finalize the shop conditions in preparation for each upcoming week.
Greg Meiring - Landscaping Associate, Carpentry & Estimator
Greg brings with him a special knowledge and experience of highway maintenance built over the years from his former work with the State of Michigan's Department of Transportation. Greg also holds a specific proficiency in blueprint reading. Here at Bendele Construction, LLC, Greg specializes in carpentry, labor, and is one of our estimators, Bill, Jr. has described him as an "all around guy." Greg also has a focus in building maintenance.
Kevin Cargo - Construction & Landscaping Associate
Twenty five years of experience in the business have made Kevin Cargo a valuable asset to the team. Kevin brings a light to Bendele Construction, LLC with his positive attitude and dedication to the company. Kevin also boasts a unique understanding for the equipment and an ability to find any problem and promptly fix it.
Past Team Members
David "Dozer Dave" Bendele - Equipment Expert
While building on his experience with Bill's Landscaping, "Dozer Dave" Bendele now works with Bendele Construction, LLC as our Equipment Expert. Dave specializes in working with the dozer, a specialization which has earned him his nickname. This talent with the equipment has made Dave the person whom all of the other employees may seek out for equipment advice.
Eddy Bendele - Shop Maintenance
After his retirement from Elmers' Construction Co. in Traverse City, MI Eddy has returned to his hometown. He now serves as our "on-the-ground" maintenance man by maintaining the up-keep of the shop. Eddy can almost always be found with a broom in his hand, and is incredibly dedicated to keeping the shop clean so as to maintain the flow of operation.