MEET GLEESON’S

LEADERSHIP TEAM

We’re committed to being the ultimate builders of trust, guiding our teams to design value for our clients at every step of the Design-Build journey. 

/ Ron L. Rens, P.E.

President

Worked in the Industry Since 1989

With 35+ years of expertise in the Design-Build food processing industry, Ron is the cornerstone of our daily operations and strategic business planning at Gleeson. He ensures that our commitment to delivering exceptional value to our clients is unwavering. At Gleeson, relationship building is paramount, and Ron spearheads these efforts. He excels in collaboration, communication, and oversight, ensuring seamless personnel management and work negotiations while fostering and maintaining robust customer relationships.

/ Recent Key Projects

  • Papillion Foods, LLC– Columbus Production Capacity Expansion– Papillion, Nebraska

  • Hormel Foods– Carcass Cooler Addition– Austin, Minnesota

  • Hormel Foods– Bacon Chilling Upgrade– Wichita, Kansas

  • Kraft Foods– Project Scrabble– Coshocton, Ohio

  • Hormel Foods– Annex Renovation– Austin, Minnesota

  • Dorada Foods– Par-Fry Addition– Ponca City, Oklahoma

  • Dorada Foods– Nugget Line Installation– Ponca City, Oklahoma

/ James A. Black, P.E.

Executive Vice President

Worked in the Industry Since 1990

With his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University, more than 30 years in construction, and membership in the Iowa Engineering Society, Jim is dedicated to ensuring the details are done right. Jim oversees the design process and the design disciplines to ensure all requirements are met for each of our projects. Jim will also review all design aspects to ensure proper sanitary design and food safety principles are incorporated into the project.

/ Recent Key Projects

  • Seaboard Foods– Livestock, Carcass Cooler, Snap Chill, Engine Room Addition & Cut Floor Remodel– Guymon, Oklahoma

  • Tyson Foods– Box Storage Cooler & Engine Room Expansion– Joslin, Illinois

  • Quality Sausage Company– Pepperoni Plant– Dallas, Texas

  • Brown Packing Co.— Harvest, & Hot Box, Fabrication Floor Addition- Gaffney, South Carolina

  • JBS USA, LLC– Box Storage & Plant Addition– Hyrum, Utah

Worked in the Industry Since 1998

/ Brandon J. Reynolds, P.E.

Vice President

From managing our self-performed work to subcontractors, Brandon manages both design and construction. Employing his 25 years of experience in the Design-Build food processing industry, he ensures that clients receive the highest value solutions in every detail of their project, from conceptual layouts and foundation to structural steel design and site design to cost estimates and construction plans.

/ Recent Key Projects

  • Dorada Foods- Production Cook Line #6- Ponca City, Oklahoma

  • Butterball®- Project Royal– Raeford, North Carolina

  • JBS USA, LLC– High-Rise – Welfare Addition– Ottumwa, Iowa

  • JBS USA, LLC– Carcass Cooler Expansion– Worthington, Minnesota

  • Michael Foods, Inc.– Equipment Install & Silo Extension– Gaylord, Iowa

  • Michael Foods, Inc.– Egg Processing Facility– Norwalk, Iowa

  • Michael Foods, Inc.– Hard-Cooked Addition– Wakefield, Nebraska

/ Eric E. Tabbert, P.E.

Vice President

Worked in the Industry Since 2012

Eric oversees all aspects of project management, including coordinating design disciplines, managing schedules, and overseeing procurement processes. With a proven history of delivering complex projects on time and under budget, Eric is a dedicated leader who excels in efficient project execution. Eric awards purchase orders, manage subcontracts, and maintains focus on the overall budget & schedule management. Eric's commitment to excellence ensures successful project outcomes and client satisfaction.

/ Recent Key Projects

  • Burke Corporation- Pizza Toppings Plant Expansion- Nevada, Iowa

  • Jennie O’Turkey- Project Tower Facility- Barron, Wisconsin

  • Dold Foods, LLC- Pre-Cooked Bacon Expansion- Wichita, Kansas

  • Dold Foods, LLC- Wastewater Treatment Facility- Wichita, Kansas

  • FPL Foods, LLC- Hot Box Cooler & Engine Room Expansion- Augusta, Georgia

  • JBS USA, LLC- Case Ready Addition- Tolleson, Arizona

  • Osceola Foods- Hybrid Bacon Line- Osceola, Iowa