MEET RYAN

Whistle Redi-Mix, Inc.

Batching and pouring concrete isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a dusty, dirty job with long hours. Yet, when you grow up playing in sand and rock piles, it feels like what you were born to do.

For Ryan of Whistle Redi-Mix, concrete is both a livelihood and a family legacy. Helping build his community and his father’s business is a source of pride.

“That’s probably the most rewarding thing—when a project is done and you walk on the concrete you helped pour,” says Ryan.

Whistle Redi-Mix was established in 1987 by Jim Whistle, Ryan’s father. Jim had been in the industry since 1963 but was ready to do something for himself. He opened a ready-mix concrete plant in Kansas City, MO. Jim expanded to new locations as business picked up, including a plant in Pleasant Hill, MO. Today, Whistle Redi-Mix has four locations across Missouri and Kansas.

Over the years, Ryan had many jobs in the company, often working side by side with his dad. Notably in 2001, he started running one of the concrete plants, which he did for 25 years.

“You realize you’re kind of fortunate to be working with your father so much. Every day, we worked together,” says Ryan.

Jim passed away in 2020. Ryan and his two brothers ran the company together for six months. Then, his brothers stepped away from the business. Ryan continued operating what his dad had invested so many years in.

“My role model would be my dad,” says Ryan. “No matter what we did, he was always there. Some things we do get downright dirty. It didn’t matter. He made sure to get the job done.”

Jim left a legacy behind. You can see it in his son’s work ethic and integrity. You can see it in the concrete he poured. Ryan hopes to do the same.

Ryan and his wife have three kids. He doesn’t want to push them into the family business but would be ecstatic if they chose to work for it.

“I hope my legacy is that they see the hard work I did every day,” says Ryan.

Today, like any other, Ryan will arrive early at the plant. Around 6:00 a.m., Ryan and his crew will start batching and loading concrete. If you’re near Pleasant Hill, look for “Whistle Redi-Mix” in red letters on the trucks going through town.