
THE OFFICIAL
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A RATING
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Chris Neeson
Chris Neeson, the owner, president, and CEO of Neeson Performance Industries LLC (NPI) and HD Tractor & Equipment LLC is an experienced individual in Alaska’s construction and transportation logistics scene. With 17 years under his belt, Chris has gone from humble beginnings to running a multimillion-dollar company, earning a reputation for excellence and innovation along the way.
Chris’s journey kicked off when he decided to earn his GED, and dive straight into the industrial construction and mining world. He started by transporting light equipment for a landscaping company, but quickly climbed the ranks. Before long, he was building over 20-mile sections of ice roads and gravel roads on the North Slope for big names like ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, BP, Repsol, and ENI.
Chris Neeson’s story is one of determination, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Following his impressive journey and the rapid growth of Neeson Performance Industries LLC, we sat down with him to gain deeper insights into his experiences, challenges, and vision for the future.
Chris, what inspired you to start NPI?
I've been in the industry for 17 years and worked with some great companies. Around 2012, I started thinking about starting my own company, but I wasn't in a position to leave my current job without a steady income. To support myself while planning my business, I moved into real estate, buying properties in Alaska and other states. This provided the financial stability I needed.
By 2020, with the support of my wife, I had saved enough to start NPI and purchase my first tractor. Today, less than four years later, we have over 20 haul units and 24 employees. The pivotal moment that inspired me to start my own business happened during my career as a pipeline maintenance driver. I had a great career and really enjoyed it, but a life-altering incident in November 2011 changed my trajectory. My tractor rolled down a steep embankment, resulting in significant injuries. The company wanted to avoid a workman's comp claim, so instead of letting me recover, they assigned me to the warehouse, where I spent five weeks punching numbers into a computer while undergoing daily physical therapy. Initially, we thought my shoulder was the primary injury, but it turned out to be a severe neck injury. After five weeks, my boss pressured me to return to driving despite my injuries. I was a motivated employee and my company needed me, so I convinced my doctor to clear me for work. The next day, they fired me.
This was a wake-up call. I realized I needed to take control of my destiny and create a company that would treat its employees with respect and care, value them to ensure they would never experience what I had, and really champion their success.
What makes NPI unique from its competitors?
First and foremost, it’s our culture. We prioritize taking care of and respecting our employees above everything else. Second, my 17 years of experience in almost every job in this industry, across all kinds of environments and terrain. I've spent many years in the actual driver’s seat, operating loaders, dozers, and running equipment for 12- to 16-hour shifts. This hands-on experience gives me a deep understanding of the operator-driver perspective. I know where we can and can’t take equipment, and the capabilities of our fleet and employees, which allows me to better diagnose projects and mitigate issues before they happen.
Give us some examples of the types of industries and range of projects that you work on or support.
We handle civil and private construction projects of all scales. For instance, we worked on the runway expansion at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, hauling material for that massive project. We've also supported the Division of Natural Resources with projects like the Cooper Landing RV Park and the Russian River Campground improvements, where they updated trailheads along the mountainside.
We supply material for both large and small construction projects, whether it’s providing one truck for a few hours or 60 trucks for a four- to eight-week project. We're not just a provider with our own fleet; we also have over 57 subcontractors on our roster that we can broker out to meet project demands. This flexibility allows us to tackle a wide range of projects efficiently.
The culture you’ve created is quite extraordinary in that every decision you make is driven by how it will benefit your employees and their families. Can you tell us more about this?
I've seen how many companies just want employees to be the best at their job without considering their overall well-being. My goal is different. I want my employees to be truly successful, not just in their careers, but in their lives. We focus on more than just job training. I want my employees to invest in themselves and their future and obtain financial freedom. That’s what drives me. Our growth has been tremendous, but it’s not about being the biggest or making the most money. It’s about reinvesting in the business, the equipment, and especially our 24 employees.
Your now building another entity to assist with maintenance and repairs. Tell us a little bit about this. Why did you decide to expand into this service area? Were you seeing an unmet need?
Absolutely, there was an unmet need. With a large in-house commercial fleet, I found myself heavily reliant on dealerships for repairs, and I faced the same problem everyone else did—waiting three to four weeks to get trucks, excavators, dozers, and other heavy machinery back. I thought, if we bring on some full-time mechanics, it would not only save me time with my fleet but also allow us to offer services to others. That’s why I started HD Tractor & Equipment. Our goal is to provide great local service and a much faster turnaround time. We have a team of mechanics who handle full upfits, annual DOT inspections and servicing, as well as FMCSA DOT required repairs for commercial vehicles over the road. Plus, we’re exploring the possibility of starting a heavy-duty equipment dealership to further expand our services.
Chris Neeson
Owner/President/CEO: Neeson Performance Industries LLC
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chris-neeson-996b296b