Dave Kollmann is president of the Central Region for Flintco, overseeing operations in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Arkansas. A 30+ year company veteran, Kollmann has helped lead landmark projects including the renovation of Boone Pickens Stadium and the Oklahoma Capitol dome addition while championing a culture centered on quality, leadership and employee development. We caught up with Kollmann and got his thoughts on …
… staying with Flintco for over three decades.
It’s actually been very easy. First and foremost, I was fortunate to choose a career that I’m genuinely passionate about. There’s a lot of truth to the saying, “If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.” I would add that it’s equally important to enjoy the people you work with, and throughout my career at Flintco, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an incredible group of teammates I proudly call friends.
… prioritizing quality.
I’ve always had a quality mindset. Even as a teenager mowing my parents’ lawn, I would step back afterward to make sure every edge was perfectly straight. That attention to detail has stayed with me throughout my career, and I’ve tried to model that behavior at Flintco. At the end of the day, we owe our clients a quality building. People may forget the exact cost or completion date, but the quality of a project lives on for decades. Creating a culture where our teams take pride in craftsmanship and accountability is something I care
deeply about.
… important lessons he’s learned as a leader.
We invest heavily in hiring talented people through a rigorous process that includes testing and technical evaluation. But over time, I’ve learned that technical ability alone is not enough. The most successful teams are built on trust, chemistry and culture. My role is to create an environment where people feel empowered to do their best work and take ownership of their responsibilities. When you combine highly capable people with a strong team culture, exceptional performance follows.
… his proudest project to date.
Boone Pickens Stadium will always stand out to me because Oklahoma State University is my alma mater. When I attended school there, the stadium was often referred to as the “Rust Bucket.” Watching it transform into one of the premier college football venues in the country has been incredibly rewarding. I’ll never forget sitting in Boone Pickens’ office in Dallas when he told us, “I know it’s not going to be the largest stadium in the country, but I want it to be the nicest.” That vision challenged everyone involved to pursue excellence at every level.
… what excites him about the future.
The number of transformational projects shaping Oklahoma’s future. It’s hard not to start with the new Oklahoma City Thunder arena that Flintco is helping build. It has the potential to become one of the premier arenas in the nation and will be a source of pride for all Oklahomans. I’m equally excited about projects like Tulsa’s new Performing Arts Center and Convention Center hotel, which will continue the revitalization of downtown Tulsa. Oklahoma’s greatest strength has always been its people. We have hardworking, forward-thinking communities, and I believe the future for our state – and for the construction industry here – is incredibly bright.
…what makes our region unique from a development standpoint.
Growth across our region has been driven by both public and private investment. Oklahoma City has experienced tremendous momentum through strategic public investment, particularly through the MAPS program, which has reinvested more than $4.1 billion into the city over the past two decades. During that same period, Tulsa has invested approximately $2.5 billion through Vision Tulsa and Improve Our Tulsa.
Northwest Arkansas has seen explosive growth fueled largely by the private sector, led by companies such as Walmart, Tyson Foods and J.B. Hunt. Over the last twenty years, private investment there has exceeded $15 billion, and the population is projected to reach one million by 2050.
For Flintco, this environment is especially exciting because it allows us to partner with clients who are shaping the future of their communities. Whether it’s public infrastructure, healthcare, higher education, aviation, industrial facilities or civic projects, we’re helping deliver the facilities that support long-term growth. Our deep roots in Oklahoma and Arkansas give us a unique understanding of the communities we serve, allowing us to bring local insight, strong relationships, and proven execution to projects that have a lasting impact on the region.
… what he hopes people take away about his leadership.
That I genuinely care about our employees and want the very best for them and their families. One of the most rewarding aspects of leadership is helping people grow, advance their careers and maximize their potential. I believe great companies are built from the inside out: create a strong culture, take care of your employees and empower them to serve clients at a high level — then the results take care of themselves.
… how working with the Navy SEALs changed his thinking.
I have tremendous respect for the men and women who serve our country. Having the opportunity to train with Navy SEALs is both humbling and inspiring.What resonated with me most was their “team, teammate, self” mindset, along with their discipline, mental toughness and attention to detail. We’ve worked to apply those principles within Flintco by creating project teams that operate with accountability, trust and commitment to one another.
… his life outside the office.
I originally got into scuba diving as a way to create lasting memories with my two sons. We became certified together and have since traveled to Belize, Cozumel, the Bahamas, Cancun and Fiji. Those experiences together have been incredibly meaningful. When I’m not traveling or golfing, you can usually find me working in the yard. Landscaping is one of my favorite ways to relax — it’s my happy place.
