Strategic Alignment Through Growth and Generational Leadership Transition
Leadership Resource’s program has really allowed us to start thinking ahead of where we should be and not just where we’re at today.
What We Did
Implemented operational system (AOS) to create alignment, set direction, and maintain focus.
Documented core processes and SOPs to support scalable, consistent operations.
Clarified company values, vision, and roles—especially during the integration of Zach Settje as COO.
Developed leadership skills across four key divisions to strengthen accountability and reduce bottlenecks.
Improved coordination between sales and construction by streamlining communication and handoffs.
Key Outcomes
Zach stepped confidently into the COO role, bringing structure and leadership to day-to-day operations.
The company expanded from engineering into full-service construction nationally and internationally.
Leadership alignment and defined processes enabled the team to scale efficiently without sacrificing culture.
Table of Contents
Background
Settje Agri-Services & Engineering (SASE) is a design-build firm specializing in the engineering, construction, and compliance of livestock facilities across the United States and internationally. As demand for full-service solutions grew, the company evolved beyond its engineering roots to take on end-to-end construction projects.
At the same time, founder Dean Settje was preparing for a generational transition, bringing his son, Zach, into a key leadership role. The growth was exciting, but the increased complexity made it clear that stronger structure, clearer communication, and more intentional leadership alignment were needed to support the next stage.
Challenges
Settje Agri-Services was experiencing rapid growth and diversification, but the company lacked documented core processes, standardized SOPs, and a unified long-term vision. Leadership meetings often felt scattered, and the team was reacting to short-term demands rather than planning proactively.
As operations scaled, so did inefficiencies. Handoffs between sales and construction were inconsistent. The need for capable, empowered project managers became increasingly clear if Settje wanted to maintain growth.
Results
Through a multi-year partnership with Leadership Resources, Settje Agri-Services developed a long-term vision and leadership roadmap that enabled focused, sustainable growth. What began as a regional engineering firm has grown into a national and international design-build operation, offering fully integrated services. That evolution was made possible by stronger internal processes, clearer roles, and a leadership team aligned around shared goals.
Quarterly strategic planning helped the team stay on track, make decisions faster, and operate with more objectivity. As Dean Settje shared, having an outside facilitator like Dan Sedor “unites our leadership team” and “frees people up to be honest, real, and make the best possible decisions.”
Since partnering with Leadership Resources in mid-2021, Settje Agri-Services has experienced exceptional growth across profit, revenue:
- Year 1: Exceeded gross profit targets by more than 50%, establishing early momentum.
- Year 2: Revenue more than doubled, driven by strong strategy and disciplined execution.
- Year 3: Set a revenue target more than twice the prior year’s and pre-sold the majority of the following year’s business.
- Year 4 (Early 2025): On track for a 40% year-over-year revenue increase with 80% of revenue already committed, poised to deliver the highest net income in company history.
The partnership not only led to extraordinary growth financially, but also culturally—something Dean and Zach both deeply value. Survey feedback from the team confirmed strong satisfaction with the process, citing excellent improvements in communication, leadership, alignment, and overall execution.
"Being a leader that can actually make a difference, it's so much more than being able to do the job from a technical standpoint."
Leveraging the Integrated Approach: Strategic Planning, Leadership Development, and Data Insights
Dave Anderson
Chief Executive Officer
"We just get more stuff done. We are more organized with the way we do things. We are more focused on our goals."
Strategic Planning Success: Aligning 10 Commonwealth Electric Operating Centers
Neil Davidson
Chief Operating Officer
"We have a great team now that supports and celebrates together, and it’s been a huge impact... That is the type of culture and leadership that every company should foster. ALP gave us the platform to build that kind of community."
How In-House Leadership Development Improves Company Culture
Bree Bain
Director of Marketing
"My ultimate goal was to get promoted to a Director. I absolutely loved my job, but felt that if I didn’t change, I may lose my job."
Growing into Leadership: The Impact of Emotional Intelligence on Career Success
Jody Babcock
Director of Accounting