Michael Rankin has worked in the construction business since the age of 14, when he was digging ditches and pouring concrete. Before that, he was making job site visits and drive bys.

He briefly explored options in the banking and financial world after graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in finance. The 1991 dotcom recession curtailed that quickly and soon he was back in construction working with his father, Lewis Rankin, who headed J.E. Crain & Son before it became Crain Construction.

As president and CEO of Crain Construction, Michael keeps an eye on projects through constant communication with the team leadership to manage risk, monitor safety and maintain quality. He also reinforces the company philosophy — always do the right thing.

He served on the national board of the Associated Builders & Contractors for six years and was chairman of the Tennessee chapter. Outside of work, he cycles and spends time with his family of “aquaholics” on Center Hill Lake.