Jim Sever: Balancing passion and commitment

Each year, the SC&RA Annual Conference marks the beginning of a new term for the Association’s incoming president. In 2025, Jim Sever will step into that role, officially taking the gavel from outgoing president J Rozum at the Closing Night Awards & Recognition Dinner, set for April 25, at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, AZ.

Incoming SC&RA President Jim Sever

President & CEO at PSC Crane & Rigging, Sever heads a company with deep roots in Piqua, OH, and a legacy that spans nearly a century. Sever’s own journey with the company began long before he formally signed on in 1996 – having spent his childhood shadowing his father and grandfather, absorbing the principles of leadership, resilience and integrity that have defined PSC for generations.

Since stepping into leadership, Sever, alongside brother Randy, has played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s capabilities, strengthening its workforce and maintaining the core values that have made PSC a respected name in the industry. His commitment to strategic growth, innovation and workforce development has not only shaped PSC’s trajectory but also fueled his deep involvement with SC&RA.

I recently sat down with Sever to discuss his lifelong connection to the family business, the mentors and experiences that have shaped his leadership approach and his feelings on what it means to become SC&RA president.

Like many SC&RA leaders, your connection to the family business goes back to your childhood.

It does – at around age seven, I would beg my dad to let me go with him to the office on Saturdays. I watched him work, trying to emulate what he was doing. My mom still has some old business cards, where I whited-out his name and typed mine above it, making myself “president.”

It was also during those formative years when you shared an experience with your parents that would shape your future and the future of the business as a result.

That’s correct. In the late eighties, in my early teens, I witnessed a really challenging economic time for my parents and the business. I remember hearing them late at night debating difficult decisions to keep the business afloat. Looking back, I see how much that shaped me – and truthfully, set the course for my purpose – to bring stability and security to them.

It’s a fascinating piece of your story – and the story of PSC today – that you had such a transformative realization so early on in your life.

I just always felt deeply committed to them for the opportunity they gave me and my brother. As a result, that time in our lives influenced how I approach the business today. It was a defining moment for me.

Three of four PSC generations: Earl Sever Jr., Jim Sever, Earl Sever III and Randy Sever.

I can certainly see why. As you came up watching your parents as well as your grandfather work together to move the business forward, how did it influence your perspective?

Seeing them work together, and the many discussions they would have outside of work, gave me early exposure to both the challenges and successes they faced. I saw firsthand what it took to run a business. Additionally seeing how respected my father was in the community – and how my mother managed everything at home while also stepping into the business when needed – had a profound effect on me. In turn, my grandfather was the glue – and taught me to take the work very seriously, but also find enjoyment in it.

While all this was happening, you were coming up alongside your brother Randy. Did you discuss the company and what your roles might be?

I think we always knew that we were destined to work together one day. Growing up together gave us an instinctive understanding of each other’s strengths and stress points. Today, we find the blessings in each other’s differences.

Backing up a little, outside of the family business, some of your early leadership lessons also happened on the playing field.

They did – I played high school football and basketball, and had amazing coaches. I gained a good understanding of how teamwork and dedication lead to success. It has a lot to do with why we no longer use the word “employee” at PSC. Instead, we’re all team members.

How else did you apply some of that early perspective to big decisions?

I knew early on that I wanted to be part of the family business, even if I wasn’t sure where I’d fit. My summers spent attending occasional Rotary meetings with my dad cemented for me the value of a business education.

Ultimately, I chose Wright State University with a straightforward goal: get in and get it done. On the personal side, my future wife Melanie, whom I’d met my junior year in high school, was also headed there. Once in school, I pursued a business management degree to gain a broad understanding of business, knowing it would serve me well regardless of my future role. And truthfully, college reinforced my lifelong love for learning.

Piqua Steel operator Dave Engle speaking with three-year-old Jim Sever on a jobsite in 1976.

You graduated in 1996. What happened next?

Well, the last week of finals, my mom called and said, “Hey, you need to plan on starting work Monday.” I managed to negotiate a two-week break before jumping in. That summer, Randy had just returned from working as an ironworker for a couple of steel erectors in the area. What he and I were both sure of was that we wanted to help our father as much as possible, so he and Mom could enjoy their later years.

As you started off on your PSC future, what did the road ahead look like?

To be honest, I didn’t really know what the next ten years would bring. Randy and I were just doing our jobs, learning and bringing ideas to the table. My focus was more on administrative and financial management, while he was more operational and business development. But for context, when I started, the company had just two computers and operated out of a doublewide office trailer. Our father still reminds us: “Don’t ever forget where you came from.”

As you evolved in your role, what did you learn about business and the industry?

I learned a lot about our competitors and the complexities of labor. Our facility was outdated as well. But seeing what my dad had to rebuild reminded me that if he could start over from virtually nothing, we could push through any challenge. So, I sought out a retired financial advisor who became my mentor and gained hands-on business financial knowledge.

Early on, you also had to earn the respect of both your own people and the industry.

We did, and we did. It took some time, but our father had already laid the foundation. He sat us down early on and said that success relied on four things: trust, honesty, dignity and respect. If we couldn’t live by those values, we had no place in the business. Inside of that, we learned to develop a strategic plan, and surround ourselves with quality people – at all levels of the business. People absolutely make all the difference.

You entered SC&RA around 1999/2000, and to your surprise, from the very first meeting, you were welcomed with open arms.

It was amazing. One of the first people I met was Bernie Weir, who was nearing retirement. He introduced me to Beth O’Quinn that first morning and told her, “Hey, we need some young blood on the Labor Committee.” I was then introduced to Randy Goddard. We used to call him the god of rigging in Dayton, Ohio. And now, here I was, having a conversation with him. When I returned home, I was all in – I knew we needed to be more involved in SC&RA.

The Sever family: Dylon, Jim, Melanie and Devon.

How did it progress from there?

By my second or third meeting, Joel Dandrea was there, and we immediately connected over his last name – my mom’s maiden name is the same as his. Looking back, there were so many influential people. Tom Bennington. Kevin Johnston. Mike Vlaming. Scott Bragg. Jennifer Gabel. And many more.

As the years went by, you only got more involved.

Indeed. But at the same time, I found so much value in the meetings. From the Labor Committee, I joined the Governing Committee. Then eventually became chair. Moreover, the Foundation [SC&RF] really resonated with me – especially given my passion for education.

If a younger person in the Association today came to you for guidance, what advice would you give them?

I’d tell them to attend as many meetings and sessions as possible. Get involved however you can. And don’t be afraid to ask someone for a conversation. You won’t believe the opportunities that will come your way.

Great advice. On the home front, what does a quick snapshot of your life look like?

Well, Melanie and I are empty nesters now. Both of our boys are in their fourth year of college. Although, somehow, we’re still very busy. But we love spending time together, whether it’s traveling alone or with friends. We try to visit the boys as often as we can. We also make a point to have dinner with my parents once a month – just the four of us.

To that end, between you and Randy, there are four boys who could all possibly assume roles at PSC as the next-gen architects of the company.

Correct. They all have skills and attributes that would fit well into our business, especially as we’ve grown. But I want them to make the decision themselves. It would be amazing to see them carry the company forward – but I don’t want any of them to feel pressured to do it.

What does it mean to you to go from that young guy walking into his first SC&RA meeting, to now standing at the podium as its next president?

I never would have dreamt back in my early twenties that I’d be standing here today. I feel incredibly blessed to serve such an amazing organization and group of people. I look at so many of these people as close friends, mentors and colleagues – people I never imagined I’d be on the same level with in terms of what they’ve contributed to the organization. I just pray that I do it justice – that I bring the right passion and commitment to make sure SC&RA never skips a beat.