Eric Kues is a smalltown guy who appreciates a close-knit team. But that doesn’t limit the big things he hopes to accomplish with The Korte Company.
He grew up in Bartelso, Illinois, at that time a town of 400 people, where everybody filled up at the same gas station and family gatherings were a Sunday tradition. With his big extended family, Eric’s upbringing was steeped in the values of hard work, family and community — values that stay with him.
“My dad worked for the state highway department out of Carlyle and got to know what seemed to be everyone,” Eric said. “When I got to be the age he thought I needed to start working, he would volunteer me to work for folks that he heard were looking for help. I did many different jobs at a young age, catching chickens for a neighbor’s company, working landscaping, baling hay, and making ice at the plant in Carlyle. That was all before I had my license, so my dad would take me to work.”
His grandfather was a carpenter in Bartelso and the town’s mayor. Inspired by his grandfather’s work, Eric’s interest in construction took root early.
After entering Mater Dei Catholic High School, he started working at a lumber company, which piqued his interest in construction. He learned a lot about the industry being around the contractors as they filled material orders and delivered drywall to different home builds.
Building a career from the ground up
Eric decided to take building trades and drafting classes, where students built a house with help from local contractors. He was inspired by the multiskilled teacher, Tom Hustedde, who seamlessly transitioned between leading religion classes and swinging a hammer.
“He was a guy who stood out to me — a great teacher and just an all-around good guy,” Eric said. “It was a cool thing to see him in the classroom during the day and then at the house in the afternoon in a different environment where we would be able to work together learning construction, but could also get to know another side of him with some joking around.”
Eric met his wife, Jenna, shortly after high school. At this time, he studied architecture at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis. But it was his experiences outside the classroom — working at a lumber yard and drafting house plans — that inspired him to pursue more hands-on fields.
“I thought, ‘If I’m going to draw it, I want to understand and know the best way to build it first,’” Eric said.
So, he switched gears, joining a custom home builder. There, he worked on the plans while also rolling up his sleeves to help build houses — just like his grandfather. This experience solidified his love for construction.
After a few years, the company owner wanted to start the process of retiring. He let Eric know so he could start looking for another job, providing a great letter of recommendation. It didn’t take long before he was hired by another builder that was holding a job fair to grow their workforce in Illinois.
Eric got a letter of intent for the Carpenters Union. Becoming an apprentice carpenter took him out of the office drawing plans. But at that point, he felt his best fit was in the field.
“It was almost fun to go to work,” Eric said. “You were working hard, but it was enjoyable — learning the trade, the physicality of it, being outside, joking with the guys on the crew. Those are some great memories.”
Setbacks become opportunities
When the residential market began to slow down in 2006, Eric made the leap to commercial construction, joining a general contractor back in Breese. The transition was nerve-wracking, but it turned out to be a turning point in his career.
“The downturn in the economy pushed me to make the move,” he said. “And honestly, it was exciting. I was pumped to get the opportunity to go into commercial construction with a large contractor. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
Over the years, Eric climbed the ranks, becoming a foreman, then a superintendent. He also helped in estimating, expanding his knowledge and experience. As the years passed, and the company grew the work continued to be farther away from home.
“Working as a superintendent required a lot of travel and time away from home. I was missing my kids’ events that I wanted to be a part of,” he said. “Mikeala was in school and playing every sport you can think of, and Jackson was very young, so being home to help Jenna was what I thought I needed to do.”
Eric took an opportunity to quit traveling and work as a project manager at a major construction company. “It was great experience for me, it opened my eyes to another side of construction I wasn’t used to.”
But it was a large organization, and he missed the family culture that he knew at his old workplace and would eventually find again at The Korte Company.
Eric decided to return to the construction company in Breese, hoping to eventually move up to a project management position. But it didn’t materialize. Then one of his former coworkers reached out and asked if he’d be interested in talking to him about another project management position at his new company.
“I had done a few projects with him in the past, he reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, we’re actually getting ready to start some Design-Build projects and we are looking for someone to run them,’” Eric said.
Design-Build was what Eric really wanted to do. It seemed like a great fit, and he couldn’t pass up the opportunity. He gained some great experience and met some great clients on those projects. But after they were finished, there weren’t any new building projects to start. And that’s when The Korte Company came calling.
“They reached out at just the right time,” Eric said. “I wasn’t really looking to make a career move, but after interviewing, I knew this was the right place for me. I felt like everything came together. Working on Design-Build projects, getting the opportunity to continue working as a project manager and being home when needed for my family, it was the perfect opportunity.”
Rising the ranks and seeking new challenges
Today, Eric is a project executive at The Korte Company. His role blends business development and project management, allowing him to put his extensive experience to work in both areas.
“I love what I’m doing,” Eric said. “The people I work with, the challenges, the new opportunities that come up, and how it can be something different everyday — it’s what makes coming into work so rewarding.”
Eric’s competitive spirit drives him to constantly seek out new projects and clients, aiming to not only win business but also build lasting relationships.
“I’m always looking for the next challenge, the next client, and I love making them repeat clients,” he said.
Always looking forward to tomorrow’s big project
Eric remains focused on bringing in new work for The Korte Company, constantly pushing himself and the company to new heights. Every day is an opportunity to build something new — whether it’s a project, a client relationship or a memory with his family.
The Kues enjoy golfing and taking family trips, and that’s the big project Eric is really looking forward to right now.
“We just took a trip to Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole, Wyoming this past summer,” he said. “It was one of the best vacations that we’ve been on, but I’ve have been saying that every year when we get back from another family vacation. Jenna is the planner, and she is consistently outdoing the previous year!”
Eric shares a love for the outdoors with his son, Jackson. They often spend time together hunting or fishing on their property. Jackson is finishing up his electrical tech degree from a local community college. He also works for an electrical contractor on his days off and after classes.
“I’m looking forward to seeing where the trade will take him,” Eric said. “He’s always been my sidekick, so he’s been there helping me with every project we’ve done, from building a garage to finishing our basement or building a hunting cabin. He has a great work ethic, if he’s given a task, he’s going to get it done. He’s very mechanically inclined, works hard and is quick witted. Hopefully one day, we’ll have the chance to work together on Korte projects.”
Mikaela and Eric have something in common as well — they’ve already worked together at The Korte Company. She interned in the technology department for a summer, so Eric has had a chance to make memories with her at work and at home. She graduated from Maryville University with a bachelor’s in cybersecurity while starting on the volleyball team all four years. The following year, she completed a master’s degree in business administration.
“Her drive is incredible, she has always gotten great grades and was always practicing what she was playing at that given time,” Eric said. “I can still remember looking out the kitchen window after supper and she would be pounding volleyball serves into the gable on the shed or setting balls to Jenna.”
Hard work, good people, bright future
Eric’s career is a testament to the value of hard work, community and adaptability.
He’s gone from smalltown beginnings to big-time projects. Along the way, he’s exemplified the philosophies that define The Korte Company: purpose, heart and vision.
Whether he’s mentoring a coworker, crafting new client connections or making memories with his family, Eric continues to build — always forward, always with care.
For him, every day is a new foundation, and every project, whether professional or personal, is another chance to leave a legacy.
