Knife River Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Knife River has 9 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, operational management, human capital, regional development, and specialized manufacturing.

Focused on delivering high-quality construction materials and infrastructure solutions, Knife River maintains a commitment to operational excellence and sustainable growth across the western, central, and southern United States.

Leadership Roles at Knife River

  • President & Chief Executive Officer - Brian Gray
  • Chief Financial Officer - Nathan Ring
  • Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Trevor Hastings
  • Mountain Region President - David Zinke
  • President, Knife River Prestress Inc (Krpi) - Peter Gay
  • President, Pacific Region - Steve Essoyan
  • President (South Dakota) - Clark Meyer
  • President. Utah - Matthew Morgan
  • Vice President & Chief People Officer - Sarah Lachapelle
  • Brian Gray - President & Chief Executive Officer

    Brian Gray, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Knife River, directs the overarching corporate strategy and long-term vision for this aggregates-based construction leader. Overseeing the integration of mining, processing, and heavy-civil contracting, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment across the West, Mountain, Central, and Energy Services segments. This leadership role involves managing relationships with the Board and driving performance within the S&P MidCap 400 index. By prioritizing capital allocation and operational efficiency, Brian Gray directly impacts the company's market position and financial health. Through rigorous oversight of large-scale infrastructure projects, the President & Chief Executive Officer secures competitive advantages in the ready-mix concrete and asphalt markets. Ultimately, Gray maintains the company's reputation for quality and reliability across diverse regional operations.
    Brian Gray

    Nathan Ring - Chief Financial Officer

    Nathan Ring, the Chief Financial Officer at Knife River, manages the fiscal health and capital structure of this vertically integrated construction firm. Overseeing financial reporting, investor relations, and internal controls, the Chief Financial Officer ensures transparency for shareholders and the New York Stock Exchange. This leadership role involves analyzing market trends in construction aggregates and building materials to optimize profitability. By directing financial planning and analysis, Nathan Ring supports the company's expansion efforts across the western and southern United States. The Chief Financial Officer collaborates with regional leaders to manage costs associated with mining, asphalt production, and heavy-civil contracting services. Through disciplined financial management, Ring strengthens the balance sheet and supports the long-term investment requirements of the business segments, ensuring sustained value creation for all stakeholders.
    Nathan Ring

    Trevor Hastings - Vice President & Chief Operating Officer

    Trevor Hastings, the Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at Knife River, directs the daily operational activities across the company's diverse construction and materials business units. Overseeing the production of crushed stone, sand, gravel, and cement, the Vice President & Chief Operating Officer ensures that site development and paving projects meet rigorous safety and quality standards. This leadership role involves coordinating logistics and resource allocation to support federal, state, and municipal government contracts. By optimizing the supply chain and manufacturing processes, Trevor Hastings drives operational efficiency and project delivery timelines. The Vice President & Chief Operating Officer works closely with regional presidents to standardize best practices in heavy-civil contracting. Through constant monitoring of field performance, Hastings maintains the company's operational edge in competitive markets, ensuring that all construction services align with the broader corporate mission.

    David Zinke - Mountain Region President

    David Zinke, the Mountain Region President at Knife River, directs all business activities within the Mountain segment, focusing on the extraction and sale of construction aggregates. Overseeing the production of ready-mix concrete and asphalt, the Mountain Region President ensures that regional operations meet the demands of industrial, commercial, and residential developers. This leadership role involves managing local heavy-civil contracting services and site development projects to maintain market share. By coordinating with corporate leadership, David Zinke implements strategies that leverage the company's vertically integrated model to maximize regional profitability. The Mountain Region President monitors local market conditions and regulatory requirements to ensure compliance and operational success. Through effective management of regional assets and personnel, Zinke drives growth and project excellence, reinforcing the company's presence as a premier provider of building materials in the Mountain territory.

    Peter Gay - President, Knife River Prestress Inc (Krpi)

    Peter Gay, the President, Knife River Prestress Inc (Krpi) at Knife River, directs the specialized manufacturing and delivery of prestressed concrete products. Overseeing the engineering and production facilities, the President, Knife River Prestress Inc (Krpi) ensures that high-quality structural components reach infrastructure projects across the company's operational footprint. This leadership role involves managing technical teams and production schedules to support complex heavy-civil contracting requirements. By focusing on innovation in concrete technology, Peter Gay enhances the company's ability to serve federal and municipal government clients. The President, Knife River Prestress Inc (Krpi) collaborates with other business segments to integrate prestressed solutions into broader site development and paving initiatives. Through precise manufacturing standards and client-focused service, Gay drives the success of the prestress division, contributing significantly to the overall portfolio of building materials and construction services.

    Steve Essoyan - President, Pacific Region

    Steve Essoyan, the President, Pacific Region at Knife River, directs all mining, processing, and contracting operations within the Pacific territory. Overseeing the supply of crushed stone, sand, and gravel, the President, Pacific Region ensures that the company meets the needs of diverse developers and public-sector customers. This leadership role involves managing asphalt and ready-mix concrete production facilities to maintain a consistent supply chain for regional infrastructure projects. By driving operational improvements and safety initiatives, Steve Essoyan optimizes the performance of the Pacific segment. The President, Pacific Region coordinates with corporate leadership to align regional activities with the company's broader strategic goals. Through effective management of local resources and client relationships, Essoyan secures the company's market position, ensuring that all construction and material services are delivered with the efficiency and quality expected of the organization.

    Clark Meyer - President (South Dakota)

    Clark Meyer, the President (South Dakota) at Knife River, directs the strategic and operational functions within the South Dakota market. Overseeing the extraction of aggregates and the production of asphalt and ready-mix concrete, the President (South Dakota) ensures that regional projects are executed to the highest standards. This leadership role involves managing relationships with municipal and state government clients to secure and deliver heavy-civil contracting services. By focusing on local market dynamics and operational efficiency, Clark Meyer drives the growth of the company's footprint in the region. The President (South Dakota) collaborates with other regional leaders to share best practices in site development and grading. Through diligent oversight of regional assets and personnel, Meyer maintains the company's competitive advantage, ensuring that all construction materials and services contribute to the overall success of the organization.

    Matthew Morgan - President. Utah

    Matthew Morgan, the President. Utah at Knife River, directs the business operations and market development within the Utah territory. Overseeing the production of construction aggregates and the delivery of paving services, the President. Utah ensures that the company remains a preferred partner for residential and commercial developers. This leadership role involves managing the local supply chain for ready-mix concrete and asphalt to support regional infrastructure demands. By implementing operational strategies that emphasize quality and safety, Matthew Morgan drives performance across all Utah-based projects. The President. Utah coordinates with corporate teams to ensure that regional activities align with the company's vertically integrated business model. Through effective management of local resources and a focus on customer satisfaction, Morgan strengthens the company's market presence, ensuring that all construction and material operations meet the high standards of the organization.

    Sarah Lachapelle - Vice President & Chief People Officer

    Sarah Lachapelle, the Vice President & Chief People Officer at Knife River, architects the human capital strategy for this extensive construction and materials organization. Overseeing talent acquisition, employee development, and organizational culture, the Vice President & Chief People Officer ensures that the workforce possesses the technical skills required for complex heavy-civil contracting and mining operations. This leadership role involves designing compensation structures and safety programs that reflect the company's commitment to its employees across the western and central regions. By fostering a culture of safety and professional growth, Sarah Lachapelle supports the retention of specialized labor necessary for asphalt and ready-mix concrete production. The Vice President & Chief People Officer collaborates with executive leadership to align workforce capabilities with the company's strategic growth objectives. Ultimately, Lachapelle drives organizational effectiveness by cultivating a high-performing team dedicated to the company's long-standing reputation.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Knife River Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Knife River?
    Knife River is led by Brian Gray (President & Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Nathan Ring (Chief Financial Officer) and Trevor Hastings (Vice President & Chief Operating Officer).
    Who is part of Knife River’s executive team?
    The executive team of Knife River includes leaders such as Brian Gray (President & Chief Executive Officer), Nathan Ring (Chief Financial Officer), Trevor Hastings (Vice President & Chief Operating Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Knife River have?
    Knife River has 9 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Knife River’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Knife River includes roles such as President & Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, Mountain Region President, President, Knife River Prestress Inc (Krpi).