What differentiates The Saunders Company from other companies is our team’s relationship with one another. We consider ourselves as more of a family than a company and take pride in how welcoming and close we are with one another.
Pictured is our annual company BBQ where members of our team come together and appreciate each other as well as the work that has been completed throughout the year. Without the dedication and passion put forth by our team, The Saunders Company would be no where near what we are today.
Our Team
Todd Saunders
Owner/Founder
Todd was born in 1961 in Corvallis, Oregon and graduated from Mountain View High School in Bend in 1979. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1985. In 1990 he married his wife, Karen, and still believes he is the luckiest guy on earth. They started The Saunders Company in 1993 and have raised 3 children, Colton, Landry and Remy in Newberg. Todd enjoys golf, running, cycling, triathlons, fishing, hiking, skiing and reading. He has competed in 3 Ironman triathlons and finished 2. He has also climbed Mt. Hood and Mt. Washington. He and Karen are involved in philanthropy in and around the Newberg community and feels blessed they also have an amazing circle of friends.
John Riney
President
John worked in construction for over 17 years before coming to The Saunders Company in September of 2014 and has a wide range of earthwork and underground utility project experience. His experience in large civil construction projects include: production management, creating a safe culture, cost estimating, cost tracking, resource and activity scheduling, subcontractor supervision and coordination on multi-disciplinary construction projects. His attention to detail and time management skills keep his projects on schedule and successful. John has the ability to complement his team members, whether they are co-owners, subcontractors, design consultants or public agencies, in a beneficial way to assure the success on all of the projects for which he is involved. John graduated from OSU with a degree in Construction Engineering Management. With a sharp eye for spotting wild game, John enjoys several outdoor activities with his family.
Wayne Toney
Superintendent
Wayne joined The Saunders Company in January 2015, bringing with him a wide range of experience in the construction of earthwork and underground utility projects. These projects include: waterline construction, sewer construction, wastewater and water pump stations, wastewater and water collection facilities, road construction/rehabilitation, bridge construction and MSE wall construction. Wayne has an uncanny ability to generate value engineering ideas for the owners he works for, while managing construction activities such that the project objectives are successfully met. Wayne is also a valuable resource in the area for construction feasibility, construction processes and methods on projects in the design phase through final construction due to his experience with large diameter and deep utility installations. Hisknowledge in deep shoring and utility installation is industry renownedand his reputation in the area of underground construction is unsurpassed in the industry. He consistently sets a priority for safety and quality on all the projects he is assigned to. When Wayne is not at work, you will typically find him spending time with his family and friends at their mountain cabin.
Claxton Fernandez, Jr.
Superintendent
Claxton brings 2 decades of heavy civil industry experience to The Saunders Company. He started in the construction industry as a Laborer and progressed in his skills and career to serve as a respected leader in the capacity as a Superintendent. He has worked on several high-profile jobs in the Willamette Valley and is very experienced in GPS Topcon. Claxton grew up on a horse and cattle ranch on the Big Island of Hawaii. He played organized sports, focusing on football, through high school and college. He attended Oregon State University and then transferred to Western Oregon University, graduating with 2 bachelor degrees. He and his wife, Courtney, are the parents to 4 children and like to share the “Aloha” spirit with their friends and family. In his free time, he loves to weight train, hike, box and enjoys quality sushi.
Rodney Wilson
Equipment Manager / Mechanical Engineer
Rodney has called Oregon home for nearly 40 years, graduating from Amity High School. He is Certified in Diesel Technology, graduating from Portland Community College. He has worked in the Equipment and Truck Repair Industry for almost 20 years, 10 of them with The Saunders Company. His colleagues appreciate his attention to detail, knowing they are in good hands when he is on the job. As Shop/Maintenance Manager for TSC, he understands our equipment needs to be well-taken care of at all times and any emergencies dealt with immediately so our work force can continue to deliver the utmost professional and exceptional work possible. Bottom line, Rodney keeps us in tip-top shape! In his spare time, Rodney loves to spend time with his family on the ocean and camping in the forests of Oregon.
Kate LaMare
Controller
Kate joined The Saunders Company in June 2020. She has over 25 years of Accounting experience in a range of industries, but found her niche as a Controller in the Construction field. She graduated from California State University, Chico with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance. Outside of the office, Kate loves to spend time with her 4 Siberian Huskies. As an AKC breeder, litters of adorable husky pups often keep her summers busy. When winter arrives, you can find her and the dogs sledding up at Mt Hood every weekend.
Clair Moore
Chief Revenue Officer
Clair was born and raised in the countryside outside of Newberg, Oregon. He graduated from Portland State University aad came to know Todd through his wife, Sarah. Their friendship grew through their mutual interest in the construction industry and Clair joined The Saunders Company in 2006. He started as a truck dispatcher and has held various positions through the years including rock sales, estimator, project manager, human resources, and controller. This wide range of experience has given him the ability to assist in multiple areas throughout the company. Clair is also well respected in the industry as is evidenced with our long list of repeat clients. When not at work, Clair spends his time with his wife and three children. He is a sports enthusiast and can often be found coaching or attending his children's sporting events.
Jeff Sitz
Chief Estimator
Jeff was born and raised in Eastern Oregon in a tiny town named Drewsey. He grew up on the family farm, the Sitz Family Cattle Ranch, which was established in 1906. He is the youngest of 3 kids with 2 older sisters and had only one other classmate in grades K-8 in the little two-room school house in Drewsey. He then attended and graduated from a school of just 16 kids, Crane Union High School, which at the time, was the only Public Boarding High School in the United States, (think going to college at age 13 and living in a dorm, etc.). He then moved onto Oregon State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Engineering Management with John Riney in 1998. He loves the outdoors, hunting, scuba diving, snow sports and spending quality time with family and children Kenley (11), Lucas (13), Aubrey (21) and Clayton (23).
Chris Dunmire
Project Manager/Estimator
Chris Dunmire joined The Saunders Company in 2021 as a Project Manager/Estimator, bringing with him 22 years of experience in water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, heavy civil, and mechanical piping construction projects. He grew up in Dallas, Oregon and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering Management from Oregon State University in 1999. He lives in Sherwood with his 11-year-old son Keller and dog Luna. If Chris isn’t working, you will probably find him in the garage working on classic cars with his son, at his beach house, or hunting and fishing all over Oregon.
Garrett Wavra
Project Engineer
Garrett was born and raised in the heart of the Willamette Valley, just outside of Mt. Angel, where he grew up working on a farm. Upon graduation from John F. Kennedy High School, he attended Oregon State University to pursue a degree in Construction Engineering Management. In late 2014, he joined The Saunders Company and began working as a laborer/pipe-layer and gained valuable field experience with earthwork and underground utility installation. Many of his colleagues might have considered this move a back-step, but Garrett quickly recognized the importance of having field knowledge under his belt. Now, as part of the TSC management team, he understands the methods and procedures to the work, which he says helps him to be efficient and effective while performing his Project Engineer duties. When Garrett is not at work, you can find him spending time with family or attending a local sporting event. Specialty Experience -Welded Steel Pipe -Water Reservoirs -Sanitary Sewer -Storm Drainage -Waterline -Dirt/Rock Excavation
Isaac Rauch
Project Manager
Isaac was born and raised in Newberg, Oregon. He grew up playing sports with his friends and two younger siblings. After high school he attended The University of Oregon, graduating with a Bachelor’s in Science from the Product Design Program. Isaac’s summers during college were spent working in the field for The Saunders Company. After graduating from the U of O, he returned to work in the field and eventually transitioned into the office. Since becoming a Project Manager in 2018, he has grown a lot and is eager to continue learning.
Kevin McGough
General Utility Foreman
Kevin McGough is an invaluable asset to The Saunders Company Team. Kevin has been working in the construction industry for over 20 years and has extensive knowledge and expertise in storm/sanitation sewers, drains and water mains. He is praised for his ability to teach and for the wealth of knowledge he possesses that he constantly shares with other. Kevin has been married to his wife for twenty years and is father to seven children along with being a caring grandfather to his ten grandchildren. In his free time, Kevin enjoys spoiling his grandchildren, hunting, fishing and golfing.
Glen Whitney
Excavation Foreman / GPS Technician
The many assets Glen acquired in 18+ years’ experience in the site civil industry, including machine operator and crew leader, made him a perfect addition to The Saunders Company in 2014. Since then he has been an integral part of our growth and shown leadership in implementing GPS technology for our projects. He works diligently on machine set-up, site calibration, re-staking storm, sanitary and structure. Glen is also Safety Committee Chairman for The Saunders Company and meets regularly with our on-site crews. Glen is a vital component to our day-to-day operations and contributes to our planning strategies. In his spare time, he works with high school students - volunteering with track and field athletes, enjoys spending time with his family and supporting his wife with her training business. He also hunts, fishes and roots for his Oregon State Beavers. We all agree, Glen is extremely well rounded and brings that passion for life to work as well.
Chris Schmitt
Grading Foreman
Chris was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon where he attended North Eugene High School. After high school, Chris took his interest in construction and turned it into a career. Chris has been a part of The Saunders Company team for two years, and in this short time has worked his way up to being a foreman through his motivation and hard working attitude. Chris carries twelve years of experience in the industry and specializes in earthworks and GPS/trimble. His co-workers praise him for his keen attention to detail along with how humble he is. He spends his free time remodeling his home and doing other small projects around his yard. He currently resides in Canby with his wife and two kids.
Brian Bishop
Foreman
Brian grew up in Prineville, Oregon and attended the University of Oregon. After college, he spent several years working in the private industry sector fabricating equipment. Later, he spent a number of years running a small business doing waterline and utility excavation, foundation push outs, and septic systems. We are happy to have him on The Saunders Company team. He is a husband and father who enjoys hunting, fishing, and coaching wrestling.
Remy Saunders
Administrative Assistant
Remy is a born and raised Oregonian and along with her two older brothers, has been around the construction industry since she was little. After graduating from Horizon Christian High School, she pursued a degree of higher education from Western Oregon University. Remy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and Health and Exercise Science in 2020. While she loves the education and degree she received, she is saving up for her big move to California to start a career inside the music industry where she hopes to become an Artist Manager. Toward this goal, she is working part time at The Saunders Company and is a part-time barista. Remy loves to exercise, go to farmers markets, spend time with her friends/family, and be in the sun as much as she can!
Shannon Ernst
Director of Business Development
Shannon is a born and raised 5th generation Oregonian, growing up on a family farm and knows that hard work equals a happy heart. She has been with The Saunders Company since 2012 and works efficiently to evaluate our client's needs, our scheduling needs and continually seeks opportunities for our company to grow. In her spare time, she loves spending time outdoors with her family and traveling. Both Shannon and her husband are deeply involved with the St. Paul Rodeo and are 20+ yearseason ticket holders for Oregon State Beaver football.