09/03/2026
Inside the Role: Ray’s Career Built from the Ground Up
Ray Wagner’s career in ready mixed concrete spans nearly six decades, beginning in June 1968 with summer jobs for $1.60 an hour. His connection to the industry started even earlier, with his grandfather’s sand and gravel operation and his father’s founding of Bud & Bill’s Ready Mix in 1954.
After the family business was sold to Beatrice Concrete in 1992, Ray continued leading operations as General Manager through NEBCO’s acquisition in 2015. Following his retirement in 2020, he continued sharing his expertise as a consultant through June 2026.
Throughout his career, Ray witnessed major changes in technology, equipment, automation, and construction methods. Yet he says one thing never changed: the importance of people.
“You can only be as good as the people you surround yourself with.”
Building strong teams, developing employees, and giving people opportunities to grow were among Ray’s greatest accomplishments. He believes attitude, willingness to learn, and a strong work ethic are the keys to building a successful career.
Ray also takes pride in helping build six ready mixed concrete plants and in the relationships he developed with employees, customers, and business partners along the way.
His career is a testament to hard work, continuous learning, and investing in people. We’re grateful for the decades of knowledge, leadership, and dedication Ray shared with NEBCO, Ready Mixed Concrete, Beatrice Concrete, and the industry as a whole.
