More Than Coverage: Building Safer Job Sites with KBIG Safety Services

More Than Coverage: Building Safer Job Sites with KBIG Safety Services

July 6, 2026

Site Safety: Preventing Heat Illness on Kansas Job Sites

July 6, 2026

Working outdoors during the summer is part of the job, but rising temperatures can quickly create dangerous conditions. Heat illness can affect anyone, especially those performing physically demanding work. Help keep your crew safe by following these simple heat safety practices:

1. Stay Hydrated

Drink water throughout the day — even before you feel thirsty — to help your body regulate its temperature.

2. Take Regular Breaks

Schedule rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas to give your body time to cool down.

3. Watch for Warning Signs

Headaches, dizziness, fatigue and muscle cramps can all be early signs of heat illness. Address symptoms immediately before they become more serious.

4. Dress for the Heat

Lightweight, breathable clothing can help keep workers cooler while still meeting job site safety requirements.

5. Look Out for One Another

Check on team members throughout the day. If someone appears overheated, confused or unusually fatigued, act quickly and get them to a cooler area.

 

Helping Members Build Safer Driving Habits

A proactive approach to heat safety helps protect your employees, reduce job site incidents and keep projects moving safely throughout the summer. At KBIG, we’re committed to helping Members build safer workplaces through practical safety resources, training and education designed specifically for Kansas’ construction industry. Watch the video to learn more about recognizing and preventing heat-related illness on the job site.

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Jim Gruver

Chairman

Jim has owned and operated James Gruver Construction, Inc., Hutchinson, Kansas, since 1990.  Jim is a graduate of Buhler High School, Hutchinson Community College and Kansas State University.

During these education years he worked at miscellaneous construction jobs.  After graduation, he was a job foreman and supervisor for a custom builder from 1975 to 1989.  In 1998, Jim added Cabinet Connections to his operations and developed his first subdivision in 1999. In addition to the operation of his two companies, Jim has served as President of the Hutchinson Builders Association, served on the Hutchinson Housing Commission, Building Trades Advisory Council for Hutchinson Community College and the City of Hutchinson Board of Appeals. Jim and his wife, Debby, of 43 years have two adult children and numerous hobbies.

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Lee Larson

Vice-Chairman

Lee has been the owner of Coronado Construction in Lindsborg, Kansas for 41 years. Lee has been an active member of the Home Builders Association of Salina since 1990 and a 5-time Past President of the Association. He has also been active in the National Association of Home Builders and KBIA for many years.

After serving in the United States Navy for 4 years during the Viet Nam War, Lee attended Salina Tech on the GI bill and has since returned to teach courses there at both the high school and post high level. Mr. Larson is active in numerous organizations: Big Brothers / Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity Steering Committee, Walk to Emmaus Board of Directors, as well as serving his church. Lee has spent time in Haiti building Medical clinics, and in Mexico building homes.

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Matt Hoistington

Trust Secretary

Matt Hoisington was raised in Paradise, Kansas and graduated from Fort Hays State University with a degree in Sociology.  After working several years in education (Barton Community College and Georgia Southern University) and public administration (Kansas Department of Commerce), Matt bought C&V Home Improvement in Great Bend.

C&V specializes in siding, window and door replacement, residential and commercial overhead doors, steel guttering and weatherization services.  C&V has provided professional products and services to Central Kansas since 1976.  In 2016, Matt purchased Kansas Doors which installs and services commercial overhead doors throughout central and western Kansas.  Currently, Matt and his wife, Mary, reside in Great Bend with their two children, Marissa and Josh.

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William R. Miller

William is a managing member of Midwest Crane and Rigging, LLC.  He is currently a member of the Associated General Contractors Association and the American Sub-Contractors Association. He has served on the Board of various construction related businesses and organizations and enjoys splitting his time between Kansas and Arizona.

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Kevin Hoppe

Kevin was born and raised in Wichita. He graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Kevin began working for Action Plumbing in Lawrence, Kansas during college and has been with the company since 1992. For the past 13 years, Kevin has been President of Action Plumbing.

He is on the Board of Directors for the Lawrence Home Builders Association and is active in his church. Kevin has been married to his wife Lisa for 25 years, and has 2 daughters, Kayla and Lauren.

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Mike Pressgrove

Mike Pressgrove has over 30 years of experience in construction and has been the owner of PDQ Construction since 2003.  Mike has knowledge in every step of the construction process – from estimating and marketing to framing and finishing.

After graduating from Shawnee Heights in Tecumseh, Mike joined the US Air Force.  He then worked as a carpenter until 1994, started his own carpentry business, and was incorporated as owner of PDQ Construction in 2003.  Mike has been a very active member of the National Association of Home Builders at the local, state, and national level.  Mike currently is a Director for the NAHB for the Topeka area, and serves on the Board for the Topeka Area Builders Association and the Kansas Building Industry Association.  He has also been the Chairman of both the Topeka Professional Remodelers Council  (2006) and the Board of Directors for the Topeka Home Builders Association (2010).  In May 2013, Mike was selected as the National Remodeler of the Month by the NAHB.  He currently hold designations from NAHB as Graduate Master Remodeler, Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified Aging in Place Specialist, and Certified Green Professional.

Mike and his wife Sonja reside in Topeka and have been married over 27 years.  They have 3 children – Taylor, Matthew, and Abby –  and one granddaughter, Gemma.  Mike enjoys riding his Harley, golfing, fishing, and exploring the outdoors.

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Miles Milspaugh

Miles is the managing partner of Tri-M Construction and also the owner of The Iron Door Project.  Tri-M Construction is a family-operated business started in 1975 by Miles M. Millspaugh, Sr with the goal of helping Kansans create their dream home, and they have been building quality custom homes in Wichita and surrounding areas ever since. Miles is also the owner of The Iron Door Project, a company that specializes in handmade custom doors for commercial, residential and home improvement projects.

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Brenda Flores

Brenda Flores was born in Torreon Coahuila Mexico and was raised in Garden City Kansas. Brenda graduated from Garden City Community College with an associates in science. She and her husband Auden have owned Infinity Homes since 2020 and enjoy taking an active role in the growth and development of Garden City. Her specialties are interior/exterior design, managing customer relations for the best building experience possible, and real estate investing. She is a proud wife and a proud mother of 3 amazing kids.

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Zach McDaniel

Zach was born and raised in Oklahoma. He joined the Army out of high school in 2010 and spent 10 years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician. He started remodeling in 2016 while still active duty and formally organized the company as Rolling Hills Construction in 2018. Through dedication to quality and customer service RHC is the top rated construction company in the Manhattan / Junction City area. Zach is extremely detail oriented and enjoys challenging jobs. Zach’s hobbies include fine woodworking, hunting and dirt bikes.