AMBITION OVERCOMES INEXPERIENCE
Current Business & Job Title: Vice President and Co-Owner, Steven E Fuller Excavating, Inc.
Hometown: Isle La Motte, Vermont
Age: 33
Education: High School
Community Involvement: Sponsor local sports teams, Keeseville Field Days and many other causes around the North Country. Donate time, materials and funds to aid the Honor Flight, Wall of Hope and the Veterans Memorial. Member of the NHLA Scholarship Program and Blue‐Collar Connection
You have to love a guy that can fix ANYTHING! Of all the great characteristics that Kyle Koss embodies, in addition to hard working, dedicated, authentic, driven, and community-centric, Kyle has the innate ability to heal almost anything that is broken. He has mastered his craft and career by self-determination to explore opportunities through non-traditional pathways, reminding us there are many different roads to success.
How do you contribute to the culture of your company?
We’ve always tried to promote a “Work Hard, Play Hard” mentality. Much of our work is seasonal, so some days, weeks, months are tougher than others. We give everyone the opportunity to recharge during that much needed downtime.
What are you doing to make a difference in your community?
As a local business that works in all corners of the North Country, any materials we need to complete our projects are typically sourced from local suppliers.
What is the single most important characteristic for success?
Dedication. The drive to chase down the answers to the hard questions, even when you don’t know where to start. Also surrounding yourself with dedicated people is a must.
What is your biggest professional success?
To date, the partnership forged with my business partner, Jason Fuller, and our acquisition of Fuller Excavating. I would like to think that our greatest successes are still to come.
What important lesson have you learned in your career?
Be direct, and only deal in the facts. No one, especially you, benefits from holding back or avoiding a conflict. Problems only multiply unless everyone involved can come together respectfully to resolve them.
What is your dream job?
I would love to open an automotive repair shop that specializes in restoring and customizing classic cars. Unfortunately, I would never be successful because I’m pretty sure I would never be able to bring myself to actually sell any of them.
What is the biggest risk you have ever taken?
Making the decision to go from employee to employer. Taking on responsibility for the families of everyone who works with us at Fuller Excavating, in addition to my own.
What is something that no one would guess about you?
I stopped attending public school as a junior in high school. I finished my classes via correspondence course while working 40 hours a week.
Write a note to your younger self…
Trust your gut, it will work out. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
What can the North Country do to make this region more appealing to a younger generation?
Put an emphasis on vocational schools and support careers in the general trades. If young people are shown that not everyone needs a four-year degree to be successful, and they can provide for their family by working with their hands (mechanic, equipment operation, mason, electrician, etc…) they may be more apt to plant their roots in their hometown. It worked for me.