Glenn R. Pladsen serves as Vice President and Chief Excellence Officer (CXO) at Knife River Corporation, a prominent aggregates and construction materials company operating across the United States. With more than 25 years of dedicated service to the organization, Pladsen began his career at Knife River in 1994 as an operations manager in the Montana division. He quickly rose through the ranks, holding pivotal roles such as Director of Safety, Vice President of Operational Excellence, and leader of various regional operations, where he honed his expertise in safety protocols, process optimization, and team leadership. Throughout his tenure, Pladsen has spearheaded transformative initiatives that elevated Knife River's performance standards. Notably, he led the company's safety overhaul, reducing incident rates by over 70% and securing prestigious accolades, including the National Asphalt Pavement Association's Safety Award and multiple AGC of America safety excellence recognitions. His efforts in implementing lean manufacturing principles and data-driven decision-making have driven multimillion-dollar cost savings while enhancing productivity across aggregates, asphalt, and contracting operations. As CXO, Pladsen champions a culture of continuous improvement, overseeing enterprise-wide programs in operational excellence, digital transformation, and sustainability. His strategic oversight integrates advanced analytics and employee development initiatives, positioning Knife River for sustained growth amid evolving industry demands. Pladsen's visionary leadership continues to inspire a workforce of thousands, solidifying the company's reputation as an industry leader in safety, efficiency, and innovation.