In The Yard

February 2026 marks Western States' 70th anniversary as a Caterpillar dealer, and to celebrate we sat down with VP of Product Support Tom Terteling, Jr. Tom will be the third generation of his family to lead Western States, and told us what it means to him to carry on the family legacy and what he sees for the future of the industry.

Preston Skaar turned ditch work into a thriving business. Now he's getting the whole family involved and passing a love for excavation down to his son, Bridger. The duo joined us In The Yard to talk about building a business, the stunning places they get to work, and why the right machines and relationships make all the difference.

With 30 years' experience in the industry, Dan Neace has seen first-hand the way technology has changed the heavy equipment world. From looking up manuals on microfiche to now mentoring the next generation of technicians alongside him on the shop floor, Dan is proud to build both his teams and communities for a better tomorrow.

When Idaho State University needed a new cross-country track, the Pocatello community stepped up to make it happen. Now, thanks to partners like McKee Construction and Western States, ISU athletes and the Pocatello community have a beautiful new space to use year-round.

Accounting is a key aspect of running a business, and the team at Sorren has the insights to help contractors be successful. Josh Tyree, CPA and Matt Goodfellow, CPA joined us In The Yard to talk bonus depreciation, job costing, and tax updates construction professionals need to know.

Ben Davenport finds it hard to envision a world without mining. He joined us In The Yard talk about Idaho's rich mining history, what's next for the industry, and the upcoming conference in downtown Boise.

Founded 41 years ago, Mason Logging is a true family business, now thriving through 3 generations. The Mason family joined us In The Woods this week to talk about how the logging industry has evolved, what people get wrong about their work, and the machines helping them win everyday.

Dan Kinney from Rock Placing Company joined us In The Yard to share how his team transforms steep terrain into usable space. From sourcing boulders in Idaho to building 22-foot engineered walls, RPC is bringing artistry to machine operations.

Cwentin Clifton wasn’t sure he’d make it to the 2025 Western States Operator Challenge—but with a last-minute decision and a little encouragement, he walked away with first place. A seasoned operator with many years of experience, Cwentin joined us "In the Yard" to talk about seat time, the challenges, and the support system that makes him a winner.

Wayne Hammon, CEO of the Idaho Associated General Contractors, joined us In The Yard to talk about the Idaho AGC's commitment to supporting small business owners and to creating pathways for young people coming into construction careers. Over the course of his 13 year tenure, he's taken pride in the Idaho AGC's advocacy work for the construction industry and seeing AGC members (including Western States) work toward building our communities for a better tomorrow.