The art of baking: From art galleries to the kitchen
For the ‘Love’ of kids, football and giving back
May 1, 2024
FOND DU LAC – Christine Peters, president/owner of Gyr Acquisitions in Fond du Lac (629 Van Dyne Rd.) said her story is another classic example of moving your way up through the ranks.
“I started as a laborer and dump driver in my early years with the company,” Peters said. “I couldn’t be happier with my patience and hard work growing to where I am today.”
Gyr – an excavation company specializing in demolition services, land clearing, decorative stone, mulch and snow removal – has been under the guidance of Peters since 2020 – a role she assumed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Today, we do clearings, ponds, utilities, foundations, etc.,” she said.
Starting at the bottom
Peters said the company – formerly named L&H Gyr Excavating – got its start in 1958.
She said she started with the company in 2002.
“(When I started at L&H), I didn’t have any experience in excavation, but I drove a little bit of truck prior,” she said. “I had my CDL, came in here and was hired.”
After driving truck and being a laborer for several years for L&H, Peters said, “I moved up the ladder.”
“I was moved into the office to help with the estimating part of the business,” she said. “I did that for a few years, but at that point, the company (L&H) was experiencing a downfall, so I bought it out – that’s how I became president.”
Gyr Acquisitions specializes in demolition services, land clearing, decorative stone, mulch and snow removal. Submitted Photo
Looking back at her journey to where she is now, Peters said she recommends taking the gradual transition to leadership.
“I would tell the younger people out there, ‘you have to start at the bottom and work your way up,'” she said. “It takes time – you have to be patient.”
Peters said the transition to her assuming ownership of the company was smooth.
How’s business?
Peters said Gyr is going well business-wise and is looking to expand its staff.
“We have a couple of new operators who started with us this year,” she said.
Expansion, Peters said, will also come in the form of additional services – which will be done through the company’s new venture: A-Vac Hydro Excavating.
“It’s a (bit of a) different business (offering than what) Gyr (does),” she said.
Peters said hydro-excavating is like using a big vacuum cleaner.
“It sucks the dirt out (of a hole or ditch), making it easier to get to utility (lines),” she said. “It’s much easier and faster – you don’t have to worry about hitting those lines.”
Though new to Gyr, Peters said hydro excavating itself isn’t new.
“It’s been out there for a little while – there are other companies who have it as well,” she said. “We thought it was something good for us to start up with and see. It’s been a popular choice for our customers.”
Supportive environment
Shane Tilleman, project manager/estimator at Gyr, said Peters is “great to work for.”
“Throughout the years, Christine worked in the field daily,” he said. “There came a time in her career when partners of the business were moving in different directions. She seized the opportunity to buy the company. I now work for a wonderful lady who truly gained what she has through her dedication and hard work.”
Christine Peters has owned Gyr Acquisitions, located at 629 Van Dyne Rd. in Fond du Lac, since 2020. Submitted Photo
Tilleman said Peters works tirelessly toward “always offering a pleasant and rewarding work environment.”
“It’s a great story because she worked from the bottom up and found herself reaching to the top,” he said. “I’ve dealt with several other jobs, and I see this (role I have with the company) as a career – it’s not just a job to me.”
Tilleman said he started with the company right out of high school.
“I had worked here for a few years as a laborer in the field,” he said. “I took an eight-year break (from L&H) and went out on my own. I ended up coming back to L&H – before Christine became president.”
After Peters became president, Tilleman said he was given an opportunity to grow professionally.
“Under Christine’s leadership in the last four years, I’ve worked myself to being a union operator and project manager,” he said. “Christine helps people realize their worth and value. I was rough around the edges – none of the things that happened in my past deterred Christine from having faith in me.”
Tilleman said Peters has brought a lot to the company in the past four years.
“I see a willingness from Christine to go after anything – it doesn’t matter what we typically do or what our in-house specialty is,” he said. “She’s a true entrepreneur and willing to take on the stress of figuring new things out – whether that’s new jobs we go on or new ways of dealing with people – she’s on top of everything.”
For more information on Gyr Acquisitions, visit gyracquisitions.com.
