MEL #019 | From Sandbox Curiosity to Strategic Leadership through Consistent Engagement with Kris Meyer

In this episode, I speak with Kris Meyer, Assistant Branch Manager at Barnhart Crane and Rigging, focusing on market development for Nuclear Small Modular Reactors.

Kris’s passion for how things work began in childhood—from sandbox tunnels to rebuilding cars. After earning a civil engineering degree from the University of Tennessee, he began his career at a small firm where he developed a broad skillset. He later transitioned to Barnhart Crane and Rigging, eventually moving from business development into a management role focused on technical and people leadership.

Kris’s toughest leadership growth came when shifting from a customer-focused, people-pleasing role to management. He had to learn that not everyone would be happy with his decisions, and that leadership required embracing discomfort, managing conflict, and prioritizing the big picture over individual satisfaction.

Kris advises engineers to stay curious, embrace risk, and “do what others won’t” to increase value. He emphasizes intentional networking, showing up consistently, and “earning the right to be heard” by building credibility through action and presence over time.

Takeaways, transcripts, and more in the show notes: https://drangeliqueadams.com/insights/