Member News

6/2025

CME Construction Partners with Kid to Kid Owner Amy Gustin to Expand Fort Wayne Store

Fort Wayne, IN – CME Construction is proud to announce its continued partnership with local entrepreneur Amy Gustin, owner of the Kid to Kid franchise in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As one of the top-performing Kid to Kid locations nationwide, Amy’s store is undergoing a major expansion from 6,000 to 15,000 square feet—nearly tripling in size to meet growing community demand.

A Vision Realized Through Passion and Strategy

Amy Gustin launched her Kid to Kid franchise in 2016 after leaving a career in corporate finance. With an MBA in finance and a deep desire to create a business that brought joy to customers and flexibility to her lifestyle, Amy found her “Ah-ha” moment while thrifting for baby items after her daughter was born. The need for a modern, reliable resale option was clear—and her extensive research and business acumen led her to Kid to Kid.

Her decision proved not only financially sound but also environmentally and socially impactful. By creating a hub for high-quality resale children’s goods, Amy has addressed fast fashion’s toll on the environment while giving back to the community. Her partnerships with Treasure House, Fort Wayne Community Schools, The Baby Closet, foster families, and local shelters have solidified Kid to Kid’s role as both a business and a community resource.

Top-Ranked Growth Spurs Expansion

Since its record-setting grand opening—the highest among all Kid to Kid stores in 2016— Amy’s location has remained a consistent leader in the franchise. CME Construction was proud to complete the original renovations for the Fort Wayne store in 2016, helping to lay the foundation for that early success.

Now ranked among the top three stores nationally, customer demand continues to soar. Shoppers repeatedly voiced a need for more space and amenities, prompting Amy to pursue a significant expansion. Once again, she has turned to CME Construction—her trusted partner from the beginning—to bring this vision to life.

The new and improved location will include more fitting rooms, a dedicated nursing area for mothers, and on-site inventory storage for faster product replenishment. These upgrades, designed to elevate the shopping experience, reflect Amy’s customer-first approach and her commitment to meeting Fort Wayne’s evolving needs.

Why CME Construction Was the Natural Choice

For both the original buildout in 2016 and this latest expansion, Amy chose CME Construction based on trust, transparency, and quality. “From the very beginning, CME felt like the right fit,” said Amy. “Their pricing was competitive, and their team was incredibly communicative, respectful, and attentive. I never once felt undervalued as a young female business owner— they made me feel like a true partner.”

CME Construction’s collaborative project management style included regular updates and welcomed input throughout the build process. Amy emphasized that CME strikes the ideal balance: “They’re big enough to compete with firms that have been around for decades, yet small enough to offer a personalized experience.”

Looking Ahead

The expanded Kid to Kid store is set to open later this year, marking a major milestone in Amy Gustin’s entrepreneurial journey. As a woman-led, purpose-driven business that combines smart financial planning with community care, Kid to Kid is a shining example of how thoughtful commerce can create lasting value.

CME Construction is honored to be part of both the beginning and the continued growth of Amy’s story, and remains committed to helping local businesses grow, thrive, and build stronger communities. 

[3/2025]

CME Construction Recognized in National Builder Hall of Fame Competition 

Fort Wayne, Indiana, March 17, 2025 – A structure built by CME Construction of Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been recognized for architectural excellence by Varco Pruden Buildings, one of the nation’s largest building-solutions companies. Varco Pruden is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc., and partners with a network of nearly 1,000 builders across the United States and Canada.  CME Construction has been named to Varco Pruden’s 2025 Hall of Fame for the Project Legacy Shop and Training Wing in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The 8,400 square foot shop and training wing structure was completed in April of 2024. This build earned Hall of Fame recognition in the category of Fast-Track.  Varco Pruden’s highly competitive Hall of Fame Awards are presented annually to the independent authorized VP builders whose work reflects innovation and excellence through the integration of VP building systems, products, architectural appearance, end use and design. Submissions include a range of industrial, commercial, retail, and municipal structures, and builders may submit multiple projects.  CME Construction takes considerable pride in being a Varco Pruden Dealer, delivering high-quality pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMBs) to our clients. We recognize that certain projects are best suited for PEMB solutions, and we are committed to providing durable, efficient, and cost-effective structures tailored to those needs. This project exemplified innovative quality control (QC) by utilizing reality capture software to document progress three times a week, facilitating near real-time collaboration between the construction team, CME Design Construction, engineers, and the owner. To meet the owner’s strict deadline—ensuring completion before their lease expired and allowed sufficient time for relocation—advanced scheduling strategies were implemented. Our experienced steel erection team demonstrated exceptional craftsmanship in assembling this latest Varco Pruden building, just as they consistently do for every project. Their dedication to precision and safety ensures that our clients receive the highest level of quality and reliability, reinforcing our reputation as a trusted leader in construction. “Each year, the Hall of Fame contest showcases innovative projects from Varco Pruden Builders. We are proud of the excellent work that builders like CME Construction have done in the PEB space,” said Varco Pruden Northern Region Sales Manager Troy Smith. “The Project Legacy Shop and Training Wing building is an excellent example of the work this team does. Congratulations to the CME team for winning in the Fast-Track category.” “We are incredibly honored to have our own building recognized with the 2025 Varco Pruden Hall of Fame award in the Fast-Track category. This achievement reflects the dedication, expertise, and teamwork of our entire CME Construction team. Completing this project on an accelerated timeline while maintaining our commitment to safety, integrity, and continuous improvement, is a testament to what we strive for every day. We are grateful for our partnership with Varco Pruden Buildings, whose commitment to quality products and innovation helps us deliver exceptional projects for our clients.” -  Ryan D. Hellinger, President of CME Construction.  About CME Construction  About Varco Pruden Buildings  CME Construction is a quality merit shop design-builder, general contractor, and construction management firm based since 1972 in Fort Wayne, Indiana with eighty-four employees. CME Construction provides our valued customers with buildings of exceptional quality and value. A list of projects we have completed includes Two EE’s Winery, O’Daniel Automotive, Fort Wayne Pet Hospital, PPG Huntertown, Federated Media, Hardhell Industries, LLC, etc. Learn more at cmeconstruction.com.  Varco Pruden Buildings is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. Through advanced engineering and proprietary building products, Varco Pruden provides innovative steel building solutions worldwide for low-rise commercial and industrial applications – including offices, warehouses, schools, manufacturing, and retail projects. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., the company markets its products through a network of nearly 1,000 authorized builders within the United States and Canada. For additional information, visit vp.com. 

[3/2025]

Premier Truck Rental’s Strategic Leadership Transition: New CEO Promoted and Board Formation

Fort Wayne, IN – After over a decade of growth, Premier Truck Rental (PTR) is excited to announce upcoming changes in its leadership structure. Co-founders Rob Troxel and Adriene Horn will leave day-to-day operations to form the company’s first Board of Directors. As part of this transition, Chief Operating Officer Jason Gold will be immediately promoted to Chief Executive Officer.

"This transition is a milestone moment for PTR," said Adriene Horn. "To ensure our long-term success, Rob and I recognized the importance of strategic succession planning. Finding the right individual to take on the CEO role was our top priority, and in Jason Gold, we found not just a COO but a leader we trust to carry forward PTR’s mission. He embodies the integrity and dedication to culture we have worked hard to establish."

Jason Gold joined PTR as COO and quickly demonstrated his ability to lead with vision and purpose. During his tenure, he has proven himself an outstanding fit for the company’s leadership, fostering growth and advancements in our operations.

"Jason’s impact has been clear from the start," added Rob Troxel. "We felt confident early on that he was the right person to step into a key leadership role and are looking forward to the growth that will happen under his leadership."

The formation of the PTR Board of Directors marks a new chapter for the company. The board will include members of the PTR Executive Team, Rob and Adriene. Adriene and Rob will assume the positions of co-chairs of the Board of Directors. In their new roles, Rob and Adriene will oversee the company’s management and strategic direction, including the accountability of executive leadership roles.

"I’m honored to step into the role of CEO and am deeply grateful for the trust Rob and Adriene have placed in me. PTR’s legacy of innovation, integrity, and exceptional service is truly inspiring, and I’m excited to build on that foundation,” said Jason Gold. “Together, we’ll ensure that PTR remains a trusted partner and a leader in the equipment rental industry for years to come."

Under Jason Gold’s leadership, PTR will continue its commitment to delivering excellent service to its nationwide customer base, fostering a culture of reliability and collaboration, and driving innovation within the equipment rental industry.

About Premier Truck Rental

Premier Truck Rental is a trusted fleet rental solutions provider committed to quality and reliability. With over 30 years of industry expertise and a decade of service under the PTR banner, our family-owned company serves customers across the United States, having 2 locations in Indiana and Texas and partner facilities throughout the nation. Being named fourth in NAFA’s Top 100 Commercial Fleets of America for two consecutive years, PTR specializes in customized work trucks and trailers, catering to construction and utility contractors nationwide. You can count on PTR for exceptional service and expertly crafted rental solutions.

[3/2025]

[1/2025]

Dave Marshall to Retire as Chief Financial Officer of Premier Truck Rental; Welcomes Taylor Mann as Successor

Fort Wayne, IN – Premier Truck Rental (PTR) announces the upcoming retirement of Dave Marshall, Chief Financial Officer, who will be stepping down after 4 and a half years of impactful service.

 During his tenure, Marshall has played a vital role in guiding PTR’s financial strategy, ensuring the company’s solid financial foundation and sustainable growth. His leadership in financial management and dedication to Premier Truck Rental’s goals have been instrumental in aligning business initiatives with fiscal responsibility, making him a driving force behind PTR’s continued success.

 Marshall joined PTR with an impressive background in finance, and his expertise has strengthened PTR’s financial operations, enabled strategic planning, and contributed to PTR’s organizational resilience. Over his time at Premier Truck Rental, he has fostered a culture of financial excellence and accountability, leaving behind a legacy that the PTR team will build upon for years to come.

Premier Truck Rental is pleased to share that Taylor Mann will step into the role of Chief Financial Officer, continuing to build upon Marshall’s legacy with expertise that will drive PTR’s future growth.

 Taylor Mann brings nearly 20 years of finance experience to the team, working in various industries like ocean freight logistics, manufacturing, heavy-equipment rental, and route-based services. Mann is excited to build upon the company's decade of success, driving growth and innovation for the future.

 “Dave’s impact on PTR has been significant. He leaves behind a strong foundation, and we are incredibly grateful for his leadership and dedication over the past several years,” said Adriene Horn, President at PTR. “We wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement and look forward to Taylor joining the team to lead our financial future.”

 About Premier Truck Rental

Premier Truck Rental is a trusted fleet rental solutions provider committed to precision and reliability. With over 30 years of industry expertise and a decade of service under the PTR banner, our family-owned company operates from locations in Indiana and Texas. Being named fourth in NAFA’s Top 100 Commercial Fleets of America for two consecutive years, PTR specializes in customized work trucks and trailers, catering to construction and utility contractors nationwide. You can count on PTR for exceptional service and expertly crafted rental solutions.

[11/2024]