Our Team
Our Team
Our Leadership Team
Brian Ward
Washout – Truck Boss
About Brian
I was born and raised in Post Falls, Idaho. Before Champion, I worked as a logger and an underground miner. Those jobs teach you quickly how to work hard and handle whatever the day throws at you.
I joined Champion in 2017 as a Telebelt and conveyor operator. In 2021, I moved to Washout Pans where I manage Washout operations, making sure our pans are delivered, maintained, and picked up the right way so jobs stay clean and compliant. I love that my work matters – we make our customers lives easier, help protect the site and do right by the environment.
I’ve worked at places where people talked about “team” and “family,” but it didn’t last past the morning meeting. That hasn’t been my experience here. At Champion, it’s real — from ownership all the way down to the person sweeping the shop floor. My only regret is not joining this family sooner. Champion saw potential in me, invested in me, and gave me the chance to build a career I’m proud of. That means something.
I’ve been happily married for 35 years and have raised three amazing daughters. Outside of work, you’ll find me hunting in Idaho or Montana, working on my 1972 Bronco, taking it to car shows, or hosting a backyard barbecue with family and friends.
Chris Hardy
General Manager
About Chris
I joined Champion in 2012 in Sales. Today, I serve as General Manager, overseeing operations, safety, leadership, and finance. My focus is simple: do things the right way, stay accountable, and keep the business moving forward. I don’t believe in shortcuts, and I don’t expect anything from our team that I’m not willing to give myself.
I’ve been married for over 20 years, and family is a big part of who I am. We raised triplets who are now in college, and I’ve always tried to show up the same way at home as I do at work – steady and present.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me on the river. As much of the year as the weather and water allow, that’s where I recharge. Summer especially – if there’s a chance to be out there, I’m taking it.
I believe in working hard, staying grounded, and never forgetting where you started.
Chris Hubiak
Truck Boss
About Chris
I’ve been part of the Champion family since 2005. After proudly serving in the United States Army, I stepped into the construction industry as a conveyor operator. Discipline, hard work, and understanding the equipment from the ground up have shaped the way I approach every day.
Today, I serve as a Truck Boss. If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it right. Whether it’s moving material, supporting my crew, or taking care of our customers, I hold myself to a high standard and expect the same from the people around me.
Some might jokingly call me the “Gravel god,” but what matters more to me is the team and the standards we hold in the field. I take pride in keeping things moving and making sure the job gets done right.
Outside of work, life doesn’t slow down. I’m a husband and a father of three girls, and we live life to the fullest. On our land, we do things the old-fashioned way — growing our own food and raising lambs, pigs, and cows. Our girls are homeschooled and active in 4H. We’re raising them on faith and hard work. When I’m not at Champion, I’m usually working on the property, running the farm stand, woodworking, doing pyrography, or hunting.
Work hard. Take care of your people. Build things that last. That’s how I try to live.
CJ Croll
Salesperson
About CJ
I am an Regional Manager – Montana who has worked at Champion for 20 years. I oversee the scheduling and planning of each project and help facilitate communication between the client and the crew working on the project. I like working at Champion because of the great team I get to work with and I enjoy the different nuances of each project.
In my spare time I like to…
Dillon Williams
Sales Manager
About Dillon
I started at Champion in 2015 operating equipment – which I absolutely loved – and now they tell me I’m the Sales Manager.
I’m grateful for the opportunities Champion has given me and truly love being part of this family.
Originally from Texas, I grew up in Pullman, Washington, and graduated from Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. Somehow, I also managed to marry my true North Idaho gem of a wife, Diana, in 2013.
If I get the chance, I’ll sneak in a round of golf. I enjoy just about anything that has to do with sports – playing or watching. But these days, my real joy comes from the sidelines, cheering on my four daughters in gymnastics, soccer, basketball, and whatever else they decide to jump into next.
The best thing about being part of the Champion family is – and always will be – the PEOPLE.
Jennifer Crandall
Controller
About Jennifer
I bring more than 30 years of accounting and financial leadership experience to my role as Controller at Champion Concrete Pumping. In this role, I oversee daily accounting operations, financial reporting, and compliance with GAAP while helping ensure the organization maintains strong financial controls and reliable reporting.
Throughout my career, I have held leadership roles in accounting and finance for organizations and industries across the Inland Northwest. My experience includes managing accounting operations, guiding financial reporting, strengthening internal controls, and leading teams that support both operational and strategic decision-making.
I earned my MBA from Western Governors University and my Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Business Management from Eastern Washington University. I am known for my practical approach to financial management, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to accuracy and integrity in financial reporting.
Jodie Doucet
Dispatch Manager
About Jodie
I joined Champion in 2007 and stepped straight into dispatch. It didn’t take long to realize I liked the pace of it. I enjoy the challenge of making sure the right crews and equipment are where they need to be – especially when things get busy.
Over the years, I’ve learned how to “see” the schedule. I can usually spot when a job might need extra attention, different equipment, or additional safety planning before it becomes an issue. That awareness comes from experience – and from caring about how the day unfolds for everyone involved.
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest as the middle child of six. While my dad worked out of town as an electrician foreman, my siblings and I helped my mom keep our family farm running. That’s where I learned teamwork, accountability, and how to work through whatever the day brings.
I treat every job like it’s for someone I know personally – because over time, many of the people I work with have become exactly that.
Outside of work, I’m a wife, a mom, and a proud grandmother. I love riding horses and spending time outdoors. The discipline and balance it takes to work with horses isn’t all that different from dispatch – you stay steady, you pay attention, and you respond when it matters.
John Frandsen
Regional Manager, Montana
About John
I started in the concrete industry in 2011 and joined Champion in 2016. Since then, I’ve helped grow and manage operations across three Montana locations and the surrounding region.
Montana is different. The jobs are different. The weather, the distances, the people – you have to understand all of it to do this work well. I know the contractors here. I know the pace. I know what it takes to get a job done in this state, and I take pride in making sure our crews and customers can count on us.
I enjoy the challenging projects – the ones that require planning, coordination, and follow-through. If I commit to something, it gets done. I stay organized, think ahead, and address issues early. Concrete pumping isn’t just a service to me – it’s something I genuinely enjoy being part of.
Outside of work, I spend as much time as I can in the mountains with my wife and our dogs. Montana has a lot to offer and we try to take advantage of that every chance we get.
John Swanstrom
Operations Manager
About John
I joined Champion in 1989 after pumping concrete for nearly ten years in Southern California. By then I had already worked with line pumps on shotcrete, pressure grouting, slab jacking, and pipe filling, and had learned how important it is to understand mix design and placement requirements. Over the years, I’ve worked closely with suppliers and engineers to make sure the right mix is used for the job at hand.
In almost 50 years in the industry, I’ve had the opportunity to work on just about every type of project – from homeowner foundations and home builders to commercial dams, bridges, high-rise buildings, underground mines, and even underwater placements alongside dive teams. Each job brings its own challenges, and that’s part of what has kept this career interesting for me.
At Champion, I’ve run boom pumps, line pumps, conveyor trucks, Telebelts, and other placing equipment. I have been working as an Operations Manager for as long as I can remember. It’s been a rewarding career, and I consider it a blessing to have spent so many of those years doing this work with Champion.
I am blessed by my loving wife of over 45 years. I have three adult children and seven granddaughters, all in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area. Most of my time outside of work is spent with them – sports, camping, time on the water, whatever the season brings.
My Christian faith has guided most of my adult life. Serving at my local church and being part of people’s lives is important to me, and it’s a big reason why this career – and the relationships built along the way – has meant so much.
Jordan Kandoll
Regional Manager, Tri-Cities
About Jordan
I serve the Tri-Cities, Washington and Northeast Oregon region for Champion.
I started working full-time in construction when I was 16 years old, back in 2003, as a laborer on a foundation crew. I learned early what it takes to show up, work hard, and earn your place on a jobsite. I’ve stayed in the construction industry ever since.
When we launched this region in 2020, it was a fresh start. Since then, I’ve focused on building it the right way – one relationship, one crew, one job at a time. The Tri-Cities and Northeast Oregon communities matter to me, and I take pride in growing a team that improves every day.
My goal is simple: build strong people, build a strong team, and make sure customers know they can count on us.
Faith, family, and the outdoors are central to my life. My commitment to honor Jesus Christ guides how I lead, how I work, and how I treat others. I believe character matters – on the job and off.
Kevin Cook
Operations Manager
About Kevin
I started at Champion in 1994 as a line pump operator. I have done shotcrete, slab jacking, pipe fills – whatever needed placing. Within three years, I moved into a 28-meter boom truck and eventually worked my way up to running a 61-meter.
In 2003, I became a working Truck Boss while continuing to operate line pumps, booms, and conveyors as long as they would let me. I love pumping concrete. If it were up to me, I’d still be in the truck every day – they just kept having to kick me out to train guys and bring the next group up.
I’ve been part of nearly every major project Champion has taken on in the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane areas – and some in Montana – over the past 30 years. High-rise buildings, bridges, schools, large commercial pours, cell towers, ski lifts, tunnels, underground mine work, dams, and even underwater placements.
When a job gets complicated or someone can’t quite figure out how to make it come together, it usually means walking the site with the operator and contractor or sitting down and working through a plan. I enjoy that part of the job – figuring it out.
In 2015, I was honored to be recognized nationally as the ACPA Safe Operator of the Year. Safety has always mattered to me – for my crew and everyone on site.
In 2025, I stepped into the role of Operations Manager, bringing more than 30 years of field experience with me. Champion has given me a career that’s been challenging, rewarding, and never dull.
Family is my foundation. I’m married to my wonderful wife and have one son. Outside of work, I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, cooking, and spending time in the mountains – usually with my son and a couple of good friends close by.
Lee Roy Thompson III
President
About Lee Roy
I started at Champion in 1994 as a line pump operator. I have done shotcrete, slab jacking, pipe fills – whatever needed placing. Within three years, I moved into a 28-meter boom truck and eventually worked my way up to running a 61-meter.
In 2003, I became a working Truck Boss while continuing to operate line pumps, booms, and conveyors as long as they would let me. I love pumping concrete. If it were up to me, I’d still be in the truck every day – they just kept having to kick me out to train guys and bring the next group up.
I’ve been part of nearly every major project Champion has taken on in the Coeur d’Alene and Spokane areas – and some in Montana – over the past 30 years. High-rise buildings, bridges, schools, large commercial pours, cell towers, ski lifts, tunnels, underground mine work, dams, and even underwater placements.
When a job gets complicated or someone can’t quite figure out how to make it come together, it usually means walking the site with the operator and contractor or sitting down and working through a plan. I enjoy that part of the job – figuring it out.
In 2015, I was honored to be recognized nationally as the ACPA Safe Operator of the Year. Safety has always mattered to me – for my crew and everyone on site.
In 2025, I stepped into the role of Operations Manager, bringing more than 30 years of field experience with me. Champion has given me a career that’s been challenging, rewarding, and never dull.
Family is my foundation. I’m married to my wonderful wife and have one son. Outside of work, I enjoy hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, cooking, and spending time in the mountains – usually with my son and a couple of good friends close by.
Logan Hutchins
Truck Boss
About Logan
Concrete pumping has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m a second-generation operator, and I’ve spent more than 15 years earning my place in this industry – starting as a hose man and shop hand in 2010 and working my way through line pumps, placing booms, and eventually running our 63-meter boom before stepping into the role of Truck Boss.
Over the years, I’ve worked in line pumping, shotcrete, void fills, and pressure grouting. I’ve operated everything from 17-meter pumps to 63-meter truck-mounted booms. Every job is different, and I’ve always believed you respect the placement, the crew, and the process.
In addition to operating virtually every piece of equipment Champion offers, I gained valuable experience on the specialty jobs, working with shotcrete, pressure grouting, void fills and more.
Safety isn’t something you talk about – it’s something you act on. If something isn’t right on a job site, I address it before we ever start pumping. One contractor once told me, “Knowing Logan has our back is key.” That stuck with me. Protecting the crew, the equipment, and the integrity of the pour matters.
Today as Truck Boss, I bring the same mindset I had in the field for years – steady, prepared, and accountable. I believe in training the next generation the right way, just like I was taught.
Outside of work, I enjoy watching my son compete in sports, spending time with family, being outdoors, and running the dogs. This industry has given me a lot, and I’m proud to represent Champion the way it deserves.
Mark Warnken
Shop Foreman
About Mark
I was born and raised in Montana and started working on heavy equipment early. My first engine swap was in the 7th grade, working alongside my dad. That’s where it started for me.
I later graduated from North Idaho College in Welding and Diesel Mechanics and have been working on heavy equipment since 1984. I started out in the logging industry and continued working as a mechanic for years before moving to the Coeur d’Alene area in 2002 and joining Champion.
I’ve been running the shop since shortly after I started at Champion in 2002.
Concrete pumps aren’t simple machines, and they don’t get treated gently. My responsibility is making sure our equipment is ready to work – and stays working. If something breaks, we fix it. If there’s a recurring issue, we solve it at the source. I don’t send equipment out unless I know it’s solid.
After this many years, there aren’t many pump problems I haven’t seen. In this region, if you run concrete pumps long enough, you learn who to call when something isn’t right. I take pride in being that person.
I’ve been married since 1989, and my wife and I were blessed with a son in 1991. We’re now enjoying life as grandparents. When I’m not at the shop, I’m usually outdoors – hunting, camping, or spending time with family.
“If you want to lift yourself up, lift someone else up.”
— Booker T. Washington

