DIAMOND ENGINEERING COMPANY
“Heavy in Construction Since 1920”
OUR TEAM
Jim Harder, President / Board Member
Originally from Aberdeen, South Dakota, Jim moved to Grand Island in the
6th grade. He graduated from Grand Island Senior High. After graduating
from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Jim started part-time at Diamond Engineering in 1969, and full-time in 1972. After many years of service, Jim became President of the company in 1993. Over 30 years later, he still serves that role.
Doug Sass, Secretary / Treasurer / Finance & Administration Manager
beancounter@diamondeng.com
Doug is our chief accounting and finance guru and has served in this capacity for well over twenty-five years. Prior to joining Diamond Engineering, he earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from Hastings College. Upon Graduation Doug worked as an auditor for the Internal Revenue Service providing an excellent foundation for his extensive financial skills. Both Doug, and his wife Teri, are originally from Grand Island. Doug’s family includes 2 married daughters and three grandchildren. In his spare time Doug enjoys traveling with is wife and family and attending his grandchildren’s events and activities
Matt Ley, Executive Vice President /Board Member
mley@diamondeng.com
Matt graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 2005 and went on to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he earned a degree in Construction Management with a minor in Business Administration in 2010. He joined Diamond full-time in February 2010 as a project engineer and has since advanced to his current position as Executive Vice President. Throughout his career, Matt has successfully managed numerous high-profile infrastructure projects across Central Nebraska, earning multiple prestigious awards from the Nebraska Concrete Paving Association and the American Public Works Association.
Tom Furse, Vice President / Project Manager
tfurse@diamondeng.com
Like many of his co-workers, Tom is a Grand Island native having graduated from Grand Island Senior High. He enrolled at the University of Nebraska–Omaha and earned his Bachelor’s degree in construction management with a minor in business administration. During college, Tom spent two seasons as an intern for Diamond Engineering and then joined the company as a project manager in 2013 after graduation.
Ben Thayer, Vice President / Board Member
ben@diamondeng.com
Ben began his career in Public Works with the City of Grand Island Engineering Department as a draftsman. He rose through the ranks to the position of Assistant City Engineer after earning a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He then transferred to the City’s Waste Water Division where he became Superintendent of Engineering & Operations. After retiring from the City of Grand Island he joined Diamond Engineering as a Project Coordinator.
Ryan Krolikowski, HR Director / EEO Officer / Safety
rkrolikowski@diamondeng.com
Ryan is also a Grand Island native that graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 2008. He then moved to Omaha and studied Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in 2012. Ryan then spent 4 years working for a company that helped teach and support individuals with intellectual disabilities. In 2018 Ryan joined Diamond Engineering working on a utility crew. In 2020 Ryan became the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer and Safety Manager.
