Mike Shanks wins ICI Paragon of Safety Award
We are thrilled to announce that Mike Shanks, Director of Health, Safety & Environmental at Force Construction, has been honored with the Indiana Constructors, Inc. (ICI) Paragon of Safety Award. This prestigious recognition celebrates a safety professional who exemplifies excellence and serves as a model for others—a true "paragon" in the industry.
With an incredible 38-year career at Force Construction, Mike has been a leader, innovator, and tireless advocate for safety. For over 20 years, he has been an integral part of the Indiana Constructors, Inc. (ICI) safety program, contributing his expertise and vision to advance safety standards across the industry. Since the inception of the safety partnership between the Indiana Department of Labor, Indiana OSHA, Indiana Constructors, and the AGC of Indiana, Mike and Force Construction have been inaugural participants, driving collaboration and innovation to create safer worksites statewide.
Mike’s peers, who nominated him for this award, recognize the profound influence he has had not only on our company but on the construction safety community at large. His leadership and dedication have set a high standard, inspiring others and shaping the collective efforts of safety professionals across Indiana.
We are deeply grateful for Mike’s exceptional contributions, which have made a lasting impact on our industry and our team. This well-deserved award highlights his passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to protecting workers and elevating safety in construction.
Thank you, Mike, for being the embodiment of excellence in safety and for inspiring us all to aim higher every day. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
THE LATEST NEWS AND JOB OPENINGS

Company name: Force Construction Company, Inc. Job Title: Project Accountant Location: Columbus, IN Overview The Project Staff Accountant is responsible for a variety of accounting functions in the areas of assistance to Project Management, Operations, Equipment, and Controller including billing, job costing, paying subcontractors, equipment analysis and reconciliation, and utilizing Viewpoint software. Essential Job Skills & Qualifications Minimum of 2+ years accounting construction industry experience required. Demonstrated experience with detailed accounting. Thorough knowledge of all accounting, general ledger, and accounting related functions including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, general ledger, financial reports, job costing, etc. Must be proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel. Viewpoint Construction software experience is a plus. Strong team player, with ability to work well with various personality types and competency levels, including office and field co-workers, as well as outside vendors/suppliers and customers/owners. Strong ethical standards and integrity are required. Confidentiality Exceptional organizational, time management, decision making/problem solving and analytical skills. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Professional demeanor and appearance. Job Responsibilities Accounting Monitor accuracy and timeliness of accounts receivable and accounts payable. Assist Controller with pursuit of accounts receivable collections. Coordination of site delivery tickets. Assemble and track job pay applications for construction projects, as assigned. Assist jobsite supervisory personnel to record, code and prepare electronic timecards for jobsite employees. Reconcile equipment usage. Record completed work to support customer invoicing and to measure job progress. Participate in job progress meetings with supervisory and other office personnel, as requested. Track, maintain, and assist in capturing change orders to job contract including overs and unders upon project closeout. Review IC-642s with Project Managers and subcontractors to ensure all quantities are captured for Force Construction as well as subcontractors. Lien waiver management. Be a liaison for State personnel regarding outstanding items. Assist with front end project administration as available. Maintain audit files for contracts. Plan and conduct winter and new hire training for the operations group. Provide monthly fleet reports to the Equipment personnel. Provide analysis for annual equipment rate review. Work with Accounts Payable staff on payment of job invoices and subcontracts. Assist Accounting department in developing percent complete for work-in-process schedule and profit projections Assist Controller in accounting tasks as needed. A technical resource for Vista, Keystyle, and Gauge. Support Facility Services, Building Division, and Force Design as needed. Working Conditions Physical Demands: Some lifting may be required (up to 50 lbs.), walking, standing, sitting, talking/hearing, keyboarding, writing and reading. Environmental Conditions: Work primarily performed in a controlled indoor environment. Direct Report Controller Education Bachelor’s degree (or working towards degree) in Accounting or similar focus Job Type Salaried, Exempt Department Accounting Job Posted 03/16/26 How to Apply Please send your detailed CV to humanresources@forceco.com

Company name: Force Construction Company, Inc. Job Title: Assistant Project Manager - Building Location: Columbus, IN Overview The Assistant Project Manager, Building Division, is responsible for assisting the Project Manager in analyzing blueprints, specifications, proposals, and other documentation to prepare time, cost, and labor estimates for products, projects, or services and/or ensuring project quality, schedule, cost control, safety and customer satisfaction are met for duration of assigned project. ESSENTIAL JOB SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS Entry-level knowledge of construction methods and materials, costing, scheduling, and estimating. Advanced knowledge of, and experience with, construction or project management software. Professional demeanor and appearance. Working knowledge of construction sequences and field operations. Develop, maintain, and foster a positive Company image with customers, potential customers, subcontractors, and suppliers, while maintaining ethical standards. Self-motivated with excellent attention to detail and a strong sense of personal ethics. Knowledge of Microsoft Word/Microsoft Excel/Microsoft PowerPoint. Ability to work well with many positions/co-workers. Maintain confidentiality with all customer and company information. JOB RESPONSIBILITES Assist the Project Manager in managing all administrative and technical project requirements including document management, bid submittals, RFI’s, contract administration, permits, change order processing, scheduling, purchasing, project budgets, cost coding and resource allocation, and project close-out documentation (As-Built Drawings, O&M Manuals, Warranties, etc.) Prepare estimates by performing quantity take-offs and determine scopes of work. Investigate and suggest value engineering and cost-savings options. Assist Marketing as requested by participating in Pre-Bid and Bid Review meetings with owners or owner’s representatives. Participate in presentations to clients, if requested. Establish and maintain a positive relationship with owners, customer personnel, subcontractors, vendors, etc. Attend regularly scheduled project progress meetings. Work with Project Manager and Superintendent to update the project schedule, assist with conflict resolution, and modify the construction schedule or documents as required. Other duties, as required. Direct Report VP, Building Division Educational Requirements A 2-year degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management. Working Conditions Physical Demands: Some lifting (up to 50 lbs.), keyboarding, writing, and reading. Environmental Conditions: Primarily indoor, controlled environment. Employment Type: Salary, Exempt How to Apply Please send your detailed CV to humanresources@forceco.com

Company name: Force Construction Company, Inc. Job Title: Project Estimator - Civil Division Location: Columbus, IN Overview The Project Estimator, Civil Division, is responsible for the timely response to requests for bids on civil projects, including heavy-highway, DOT or Department of Public Works projects. Must be able to review plan quantities, independently complete quantity take-offs, source suppliers and subcontractors, meet DBE/MBE/WBE requirements, build preliminary schedules, strategize on construction means and methods, suggest equipment selection in the pursuit of both plans and specification and design-build project pursuits. Essential Job Skills & Qualifications Previous managerial and supervisory experience in the construction industry. Demonstrate good computer skills. Advanced knowledge of, and experience with, construction or project management software is preferred. Professional demeanor and appearance Advanced knowledge of heavy-highway construction methods and materials, costing, scheduling, and estimating. Working, practiced knowledge of heavy-highway construction management, construction sequencing and field conditions. Develop, maintain, and foster a positive Company image with customers, potential customers, subcontractors, and suppliers, while maintaining ethical standards. Strong, self-motivated team player with excellent attention to detail and a strong sense of personal ethics Knowledge of Microsoft Word/Microsoft Excel/Microsoft PowerPoint Ability to work well with many positions/co-workers Maintain confidentiality with all customer and company information Job Responsibilities Review proposal specifications and drawings to determine scope of work, required contents, and time constraints of the project to be estimated. If necessary, investigate the site before bid, identifying items necessary for the bid, including waste area, borrow pits, dump sites, etc. Maintain a multiple-accessed, current database of diverse range of suppliers and subcontractors for various construction-related processes. Oversee, request, and review the entire process of receiving bids from subcontractors and suppliers. Carefully review terms and conditions of subcontractor and supplier quotes. Use estimating software program to prepare accurate, timely, and professional estimates by calculating complete takeoff of scope of work. Work with Company management personnel to develop risk assessment and pricing/profit strategies for bids. Maintain files of back-up documentation for estimated projects, including current/accurate pricing from suppliers and subcontractors. Assist Marketing and participate in Pre-Bid and Bid Review meetings with owners or owner’s representatives, as required. Assist in conforming to safety, EEO, insurance, and labor relations requirements. Partner with Health, Safety and Environmental personnel to ensure projects follow safe working conditions and practices. Support the achievement of EEO goals. Other duties, as required. Educational Requirements 4-year Engineering or Construction Management degree Working Conditions Physical Demands: Some lifting (up to 50 lbs.), keyboarding, writing, and reading. Environmental Conditions: Primarily indoor, controlled environment. Employment Type: Full-time, Exempt Compensation: $75,000 - $95,000 How to Apply Please send your detailed CV to humanresources@forceco.com

