Diggin’ It
Chris Meyer’s introduction to the company founded in 1962 by his grandfather, James A. Rogers Sr., was on the ground level. James A. Rogers Excavating had by then already become a respected name in central Arkansas construction. Meyer learned the excavation trade under the tutelage of experienced equipment operators and became well versed in the kind of quality work expected of the operation.
“My first day on the job in 2006 put me behind a flag, flagging traffic on Maumelle Boulevard,” Meyer said. “That day taught me more than just getting out of the way of a moving vehicle. It taught me awareness, and I had to learn to multitask quickly. Once I started running equipment, it only amplified.”
Becoming the third generation to lead the company after that was no matter of simple inheritance, however. Meyer earned the right to head the James A. Rogers team just as he had earned his place among them — in other words, through hard work.
“As time went on, I was able to start making quick, sound decisions accurately,” Meyer said. “I believe that my grandfather saw this in me and allowed me to start running my own projects.”
Meyer bought the business from his grandfather in 2016 and has been at the helm as president and CEO ever since. Still, the learning curve to fulfilling those roles was a steep one. While the work ethic and industry expertise picked up in the field would certainly be helpful from his new place in the CEO’s chair, they were hardly a substitute for the basics of business management.
“This business is not for the faint of heart,” Meyer said. “It is truly one of the most competitive, most rewarding but most stressful jobs I think there is. One split-second can change the outcome of an entire situation.”
Meyer’s was far from a running start, and he soon found himself courting disaster twice over. Failure would mean steering not just the company into the ground but his family’s legacy along with it. One crucial point in Meyer’s column, though, was a penchant for staying cool under pressure.
“I had to learn to slow down and really understand the situation before I reacted,” he said. “I am by no means perfect in my decision-making, but I try to do my best during those tough moments.”
Meyer procured enough small jobs to buy the company — not to mention himself — time to set things right. After that, James A. Rogers Excavating found its footing again and then some. Meyer’s decade in the C-suite has seen the company expand well beyond central Arkansas, including a growing presence in the northwest part of the state and a team of talented professionals growing right alongside.
“With my newfound responsibilities, I have always kept my team in mind and respected them,” Meyer said. “This business does not work with just one person. It takes a team of people to have a successful project.”
Smart acquisitions, such as quarry operation McHenry Companies — now McHenry & Meyer Companies, LLC — and utilities infrastructure stalwart NOEC Construction, have allowed James A. Rogers to extend its lineup of services and position itself as a capable partner for projects of all kinds, from residential site prep to complex highway and municipal work. The company has likewise deepened its industrial capacity, public-works investments and infrastructure modernization to ensure it remains at the forefront in supporting statewide development. A reputation for quality going back six decades certainly does not hurt when it comes to bidding for jobs either.
“My vision for this company is to continue servicing Arkansas the best way we can,” Meyer said. “We’re pouring time into our employees and creating value not just in the workplace but in their personal lives.”
SEE THE FULL LIST OF AMP’S 2026 C-SUITE HERE
