Investing in Leadership: Five Patriot Graduates Recognized

Growing Leaders: Patriot Celebrates Recent Graduates from ISA’s Leadership Academy

At Patriot, we believe strong leadership is foundational to long-term success—for both our team and our clients. That’s why we continually invest in the development of our people at every level. One of the ways we do that is by supporting participation in external programs that challenge and grow future leaders.

This year, five Patriot team members—Jared Epple, Tom Grabo, Shawn Hawk, Christian Pohlar, and Logan Young—completed the Indiana Subcontractors Association’s (ISA) Leadership Development Academy (LDA), an on-going, 16-month executive-style program designed for rising leaders in the construction and engineering industries.

Real-World Lessons, Real-World Impact

Unlike traditional classroom training, LDA focused on practical, hands-on learning around the often-overlooked areas of business leadership— from resolving conflict to converting strategy into tangible results. Participants engaged in monthly sessions on topics ranging from legal and safety frameworks to corporate finance and organizational structure.

Here are a few standout lessons our team took away:

1. Vision + Strategy – Understanding corporate structure and aligning individual goals with the company’s long-term vision.
2. Effective Communication – Building strong internal relationships through consistent, clear, and empathetic communication.
3. Behind-the-Scenes Insights – Gaining exposure to corporate operations such as HR, Legal, Safety, Marketing, and Insurance—crucial elements often unseen but vital to a company’s success.

But for our graduates, it was not just about learning concepts—it was about translating them into action at Patriot.

“It was thought-provoking about my role in the company,” said one graduate. “It’s good information to have in my arsenal as I continue to grow with Patriot.”

These lessons have already begun to show up in how these team members lead projects, mentor colleagues, and collaborate across departments. By developing a deeper understanding of the inner workings of a business, they’re making more strategic, confident decisions that benefit our clients and the broader Patriot team.

Commitment That Counts

We all know that time is one of our most valuable resources. These graduates managed to commit to a 16-month program while continuing to deliver for our clients and projects. Their dedication speaks volumes, and we’re incredibly proud to have them as part of the Patriot team!

A Thank You to ISA

Thank you to the ISA for creating and evolving this program in response from ISA members, and a specific outcome of the ISA GC Council. Programs like LDA are critical for sharpening industry-wide leadership skills and partners across Indiana.

To learn more about ISA’s Leadership Collective, visit: https://indianasubcontractors.org/isa-leadership-collective/