Noah Blankenship grew up in Archbold, Ohio, in a typical suburban family with two working parents and a sister. He attended Archbold High School, where he ran track and cross-country. “Running was the one sport I was good at; I was fast and could run in a straight line,” he jokes. During his junior and senior years, Noah attended the Four County Career Center, where he gained valuable skills that would benefit him in the future.

After high school, Noah enrolled at Northwest State Community College to pursue a degree in criminal justice. Driven by his passion for hunting and fishing, he aspired to become a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officer. However, his early career took an unexpected turn when he took on jobs making deliveries for Fulton Lumber and working in carpentry at Schuette Construction. It was during this time that Noah developed a passion for the construction industry, which would eventually lead him to his current role.

An Unexpected Path

In April 2021, a fortunate discovery changed the course of Noah’s career. He stumbled upon The Gerken Companies’ career page online and applied for a position at the truck washing center. That initial role paved the way for his eventual transition into quality control at M&R Ready Mix, Inc., where he now thrives.

In his current position, Noah focuses on two main aspects: quality control and customer service. His work involves considerable behind-the-scenes effort, including making adjustments and conducting pre-pour meetings to ensure everything runs smoothly.

“Concrete changes daily, so we are always testing,” he explains. “Experience is what sets Gerken apart in the ready-mix business. While some companies might have just one or two certified testers, we have three quality control technicians, a quality control manager, and a quality control technical salesperson. All our field managers hold ACI field-testing certifications, and more positions are getting certified every day.”

As one of the first people to arrive at the plant, Noah is responsible for loading and testing the first truck. His role extends to the job sites, where he collaborates closely with third-party testers and acts as a crucial liaison between M&R and project contractors. “I get to work with a lot of wonderful people,” Noah says, expressing gratitude for his coworkers. “The drivers, batchmen, and loaders are all great—not just here at work, but as part of our community.”

Beyond the technicalities of his work, Noah takes immense pride in the projects M&R has completed. “I love pointing out to friends the projects we’ve been part of,” he adds.

Personal Life

Outside of work, Noah and his wife, Madison, are looking forward to celebrating their third anniversary in June. They cherish their roles as parents to their two-year-old daughter, Phoebe. Their family enjoys traveling, and they have fond memories of their honeymoon in Europe, where Madison affectionately teased Noah about his fixation on the local concrete trucks.

Noah’s hobbies are equally rooted in his love for the outdoors, including golf, hunting, and fishing. A long-time member of Pheasants Forever, he actively contributes to the organization’s mission of conserving wildlife through habitat improvements, public access, education, and conservation advocacy.

Interestingly, Noah is open about his personal journey with social anxiety, often feeling nervous around new acquaintances. “But once I get past the initial meeting, I talk their legs off,” he jokes, showcasing his warm and approachable personality.

One thing that Noah particularly appreciates is the significant investment The Gerken Companies has made in his training. He feels strongly committed to repaying that investment by giving his best at work every day.

“Knowing that the owners of the company live in our community gives me a sense of security,” he notes, reinforcing his pride in being part of the organization.