From the moment I met Mike Ritter, I knew he was someone different. Someone….exceptional.
Born and raised in Kansas, Mike graduated with his Bachelors of Science from the University of Kansas, where he attend on a football scholarship, filling the role as quarterback! After graduating, Mike and a close friend, who went to the University of Florida, moved their families to Naples, Florida, where they began a construction business specializing in site work. Their business rapidly grew to a level of handling mostly large projects, managed by Mike and his 130 plus employees. In the 1980s and 1990s, Naples was a thriving community for the construction industry, so much so that when 2005 rolled around, Mike and his partner sold their company to enjoy retirement at the ripe age of 48. After a short six month hiatus, Mike was hungry for his next move. As a certified FEMA Inspector and a licensed general contractor, he spent a few years traveling to areas hit by natural disasters, where he aided in clean-up and other much needed services. Following his good deeds and service to those in need, Mike was ready for his next challenge in the Florida construction trade, which is when he and All County Paving crossed paths.
All County Paving’s initial interest in Mike was to commission his site work skills at their division in Orlando. Though an easy task for Mike, he was soon presented with a larger role as All County Paving had recently bid on a handful of Walmart projects for the first time, and the bids had been accepted! On the brink of major growth, All County Paving hired Mike to oversee and run all Walmart projects throughout the Southeast and Puerto Rico from their corporate office in Delray Beach, Florida. Mike accepted the challenge, moved his family to Boca Raton, Florida, where he built a class A crew to accompany him in all future projects. Since joining All County Paving in May of 2013, Mike has successfully completed over thirty Walmart centers throughout Florida and the southeast, including four in Puerto Rico. Walmart consumes 1/3 of the All County Paving business, so to say this is a hefty role to take on (and do exceptionally well in) is in understatement. In addition to this leading role, Mike facilitates in the organization of the shop, and most notably, always finds time to mentor, listen to or simply talk with his peers. He accepts every opportunity to teach, especially to those making up the millennial generation.
Though not one to force his word, his eyes and ears are always open, and his advice and rhetoric always communicated in a respectful fashion. After speaking with Mike, even if just briefly, it becomes clear that he’s a players’ coach – one you can always count on. He’s a no frills kind of guy, preferring a more straightforward, hands on approach. He believes in a strong work ethic, and coaching the younger generations, who will inevitably take over, to believe in the same. As a firm believer in loving what you do, he stresses the importance of always taking pride in your work. After conducting my interview with Mike, my respect and admiration for him has continued to grow. I’m a firm believer that every company, regardless of the industry, would be honored to have a leader like Mike Ritter.
