About Us

PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
ARE THE BACKBONE OF
OUR COMPANY

MORGAN is in the business of keeping people safe, operations running, and communities moving.

Since 2000, what began as a family-run pavement striping company—Morgan Contractors—has grown into a national partner for traffic safety solutions and commercial and industrial painting services. But our story is about more than expansion. It’s about showing up, doing the job right, and earning the kind of trust that lasts.

Today, MORGAN supports everything from warehouse and rail yard operations to road maintenance, pavement marking, traffic control, and specialized painting for complex industrial environments. Behind every service is the same belief: that precision, safety, and reliability are non-negotiable.

We work with clients of all sizes, across industries and infrastructure, but always with the same mindset—people first. Because to us, it’s never just a job. It’s about building something that holds up under pressure, stands the test of time, and makes a real difference in the places people live and work.


LEADERSHIP TEAM

James Morgan

James Morgan

President

James Morgan serves as the President of Morgan, a leading service provider in the commercial facilities maintenance industry. With a leadership style grounded in integrity and vision, he drives the company to uphold its mission of delivering exceptional maintenance solutions for commercial facilities. His personal leadership philosophy focuses on empowering his team and fostering an environment where employees have clear opportunities to grow their careers. Under his guidance, Morgan is not only recognized for service excellence but also as a place where professionals can build fulfilling careers.

A strong advocate for quality, James has set high standards that ensure Morgan consistently delivers top-tier service to every client. He emphasizes attention to detail and proactive problem-solving, which have been instrumental in maintaining trust with customers. Additionally, he prioritizes building collaborative partnerships with contractors, vendors, and customers alike. By nurturing these relationships, he creates a network of trusted partners dedicated to reliable, efficient service delivery.

Outside of work, James is deeply passionate about coaching and the outdoors. He often volunteers as a coach in his community, channeling his leadership skills into mentoring youth and fostering teamwork. An avid mountain climber and mountain biker, he embraces challenges and adventures that reflect his dynamic spirit. Above all, he cherishes traveling with his children, believing that exploring new places together creates lasting memories and broadens their horizons.

James Toliver II

James Toliver II

Chief Operating Officer

As the Chief Operating Officer of Morgan Contractors, I bring extensive experience in the railroad and construction industries to drive operational efficiency and project success. I am committed to strong leadership, teamwork, and ensuring that every project meets the highest standards.

I take great pride in fostering a culture of excellence within our team, where collaboration and dedication lead to outstanding results. My goal is to continuously improve our operations while maintaining the quality and integrity that define our company.

Outside of work, I cherish spending time with my family and friends. I have a passion for competitive pool and enjoy the strategy and precision of the game. I also love hunting and fishing.

Emery Schroeder

Emery Schroeder

Chief Financial Officer

I have been with Morgan Contractors for over five years, starting in the field and working my way up to my current role as Chief Financial Officer. Throughout my career, I have gained valuable experience in marketing, civil, and structural project management, which has shaped my approach to financial leadership and strategic planning.

I graduated from Tabor College in 2016 with a degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Management and Marketing. My diverse background allows me to bring a well-rounded perspective to financial operations, ensuring that we maintain efficiency, growth, and long-term success.

Outside of work, I enjoy woodworking, kayaking, and spending time with my wife and children. Whether I’m crafting something by hand or exploring the outdoors, I find balance and inspiration in both my personal and professional life.

Rene Danler

Rene Danler

Director National Paints

I recently joined Morgan Contractors after spending nearly 15 years working for a leading Systems Integration Company. Prior to that, I worked over two decades in various leadership roles within the Beef Industry. I have a great deal of experience in Project Management of Complex Projects, Systems Implementation and Staff Development. I am passionate about understanding the needs and aspirations of each our clients to the degree necessary so that they have a deep confidence and comfort in knowing that Morgan Contractors is going to take care of their needs and ensure that we deliver what they want and what we promised.

In terms of team building, I am dedicated to some very basic teamwork guidelines; such as quickly creating a plan to deviate from and then refactoring this plan as necessary, starting every project and significate undertaking with a clear vision of the end goals, understanding all the key elements of any activity by asking these simple questions – (who, what, when, where, why, why not and how) and finally always making sure to lead by example and helping my teammates achieve their own goals and objectives.

As a former college athlete, I am still inspired and driven by the thrill of taking on complex projects that have tight timelines and various other challenges and then through great teamwork of our Morgan Contractors Team – finding a way to overcome all of these “opportunities” and achieving the end goal of a successful project and a happy / satisfied client.

In my spare time, I enjoy taking long walks and enjoying my natural surroundings as well improving my landscaping around my home. I am a huge sports fanatic and enjoy watching & attending all kinds of professional and college sporting events. My wife and I have a large family that is scattered across the Midwest and we enjoy visiting with them as well as hosting them at our own home.

Rick Dierson

Rick Dierson

Director of Railroads

I have over 20 years of management experience, leading, teaching, and mentoring junior managers and hourly employees. I believe in leading by example and always striving to be the best at what I do—while training my team to do the same.

For me, safety and quality go hand in hand, and I expect every service we provide to be exemplary, setting a standard that exceeds expectations. I am passionate about customer satisfaction and committed to maintaining outstanding customer service in every aspect of our work.

Outside of work, I take pride in being a supportive husband and enjoy spending time hunting. I also have a deep appreciation for fine whiskies and consider myself a connoisseur.

Will Thompson

Will Thompson

Director, Kansas City Local

As Director of Kansas City Local for Morgan, I bring a strong background in welding, asphalt, and concrete to every project. After graduating from Liberty High School in 2007, I pursued my passion for skilled trades at Tulsa Welding School, graduating in 2009. I spent seven years refining my expertise in welding before transitioning into asphalt and concrete, where I’ve continued to grow and lead in the industry.

I take pride in delivering high-quality work and ensuring our team meets the highest standards of craftsmanship and efficiency. Leadership and teamwork are at the core of my approach, and I am committed to maintaining excellence in every project we take on.

Outside of work, I’m a dedicated family man and proud father of two. My family keeps me grounded and motivated, and I strive to bring the same dedication and integrity to both my personal and professional life.

John Smitka

John Smitka

Senior Estimator

John Smitka began his career with Morgan Contractors in 2016 and has built a reputation for his hard work and dedication. Outside of work, he is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hunting, fishing, and gardening. John values time spent in nature, but most of all he treasures moments shared with his children and grandchildren.

Stanley Rodriguez

Stanley Rodriguez

Junior Project Manager

I am a Project Manager at Morgan Contractors, where I oversee every stage of our projects—from coordinating crews and schedules to managing budgets and billing. With a year and a half of experience in this role and a background of college-level study, I take a hands-on, detail-oriented approach to keeping projects on track and clients informed.

I place a strong focus on job-site safety and collaborative teamwork, working closely with field staff, subcontractors, and clients to ensure every project is completed on time and within budget while maintaining the highest safety standards. I believe that clear communication and mutual respect are key to successful outcomes and lasting partnerships.

Outside of work, I enjoy watching and playing sports, exploring new topics to expand my knowledge, spending time outdoors doing activities that keep me active, and relaxing with family and friends.

Scott Ballard

Scott Ballard

Regional Manager – Railroad Division

I have over 20 years of management experience, team building, leading, teaching, caring and learning. I believe in a safety-first approach for everyone every day. Leading by example, boots on the ground, solving problems and striving to be the best is my goal. I always want to provide the team with the tools to succeed.

Safety is one of my core valves. I believe safety is integrated in the thought process and everyone’s actions. I have a deep commitment to safety. Another core valve for me is quality and accountability. I believe this involves taking ownership of one’s work, striving for excellence, and being honest about outcomes and this includes mistakes. Building trust, improving performance and driving collective success is very important for customer service.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my wife and family. I also enjoy helping others.

Ronnie Settles

Ronnie Settles

Regional Manager – Railroad Division

As Western Railroad Regional Manager at Morgan Contractors, I oversee operations, maintenance, customer relations, and compliance across multiple railroad sites. My focus is on ensuring operational excellence, safety, and customer satisfaction, while also supporting cross-regional initiatives as needed. With a career spanning hands-on field work, sales, and operational management, I bring a well-rounded perspective that strengthens both daily operations and long-term strategy. Outside of work, I’m an enthusiast of both off-road and on-road adventures—whether navigating rugged trails in my UTV or hitting the open highway on my Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Two years ago, I joined Morgan Contractors as a Foreman. Today, I’m proud to serve as a Director. A journey that reflects not just my growth, but the kind of company Morgan truly is. From day one, I felt like more than just an employee. This is the first place I've ever worked where I truly feel valued and appreciated. The leadership recognizes hard work, supports your ambition, and treats you like family, not just a number on the payroll. Morgan Contractors is my family, and I couldn’t be more grateful to be a part of a team that respects, empowers, and believes in its people. If you’re looking for a workplace where dedication is rewarded and people matter, this is the place!
KC Local Division Partner (Management)
I have worked with Morgan Contractors for many years now. They have shown me time and time again how diligent, important, and efficient they are. No matter the problem, they are always able to help me. They do their work with honesty, integrity, and are always on time. They have a very good management team and incredible employees. Thank you for your continued help. Looking forward to working with Morgan in the future.
Western Railroad Division Partner (Rail Yard Maintenance)
I have worked with Will and the team at Morgan Contractors for the last few years. They arrive on time and do the needed work in a professional manner. I will continue to work with them and refer them to others in need of parking lot striping.
KC Local Division Partner (Pavement Marking)
We’ve used Morgan Contractors for commercial asphalt and striping projects across multiple Midwest locations, and they’ve been excellent every time. Their work is high-quality, timely, and professional—from smooth asphalt paving to sharp, clean striping. They also handled general contracting tasks efficiently, keeping everything on track. Highly recommend them for any commercial paving or contracting needs!
Eastern Railroad Division Partner (Rail Yard Maintenance)
Our team highly recommends Morgan Contractors as a trusted vendor partner. They are reliable and professional and have provided a top-notch partnership in 2 of our most recent large projects. They were in charge of traffic control to ensure safety for the widening of 151st Street in Olathe, Kansas. We take great pride in our work and choose to work with companies like Morgan Contractors, who provide exceptional service, no matter the size of the project.
KC Local Division Partner (Traffic Control)
As a General Manager in the logistics industry, I hold high standards for reliability, responsiveness, and professionalism—and the team at Morgan Contractors has consistently exceeded every one of them. They are dependable, honor their commitments, and are available around the clock. Whether it's navigating snow and ice storms, addressing power outages, or managing routine maintenance across our 22-acre campus, their dedication has been unwavering. Beyond their technical capabilities, they are truly a pleasure to work with. I offer my highest recommendation without reservation—Morgan Contractors is, without a doubt, top-tier.
KC Local Division Partner (Facilities Maintenance)
Gentlemen, It has been a long, challenging journey of 2 years. Together, the team brought it to the finish line on time. Thank you for your efforts. Thank you to Morgan Contractors whom you have represented well. I have used your service for 9 years now and have never been disappointed. You guys have always delivered and thank you for doing it again. I have appreciated your professionalism with a very challenging customer and your attention to getting the project done on schedule. Sincerely, thank you. You guys rock!
National Paints Project Director (Facility Maintenance & Painting)