River City Six: Darren Kinney
As a general contractor specializing in all-steel pre-engineered buildings, Talon Steel Buildings (facebook.com/TalonSteelBuildings) offers a wide array of quality features and optional accessories to improve functionality and enhance your building’s appearance, while standing behind the quality and integrity of every building they sell. Darren Kinney is the owner of Talon Steel Buildings.
Tell us a little about your business.
There was a need in the Ag industry so we started off with structures designed for farmers and diversified our offerings from there. We celebrated our five-year anniversary in February of 2016 and our core business is mostly commercial buildings today.
How did you get started in the business?
My background is in construction. I’ve been doing it my whole life; it’s all I’ve ever known. My business partners and I built Talon Steel from scratch and have been learning and growing ever since.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
With Talon Steel, I would say it’s been getting used to paperwork and not working in the field. I enjoy the physical work. Going from the field to the office was difficult transition for me.
What has been your most important achievement professionally?
My business. When we first started all we had a steel desk, laptop and flip phone. We’ve come such a long way!
Tell us a little about your family.
My wife Bonita and I recently celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. We have 3 amazing children. Peyton (22) pitches for the UNO baseball team. Bailey (26) is an art teacher and professional photographer. Ande (20) is a salesperson in Lincoln.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
I accepted Jesus Christ when I was 27 years. All through life there have been ups and downs but I am blessed to be here.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
I enjoy hunting during the fall. My wife and I like to go watch baseball games and hang around Omaha.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I used to play golf at a 5 handicap.
What are you the most proud of?
I love my family. All of my kids have turned into such great people and I enjoy being around them.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Be humble, be hungry, and be the hardest worker in the room.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
Korkow Ranch Ministry in South Dakota. We service wounded warriors and PTSD survivors. Statistically, twenty-two soldiers take their lives every day stemming from PTSD. The ranch is a safe haven where they can get away from it all to relax and enjoy themselves, with a shooting range, go-kart track, hiking trails, and pheasant hunting. It’s so rewarding to see them smile. It’s something that I’m so passionate about.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
I love to read! I just got done with a biography on George Washington. I really like to read about leaders.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
Jerico’s Restaurant.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Ulysses S. Grant. He was an utter failure at everything but war, so it would be a fascinating conversation given our current state of affairs.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Office: (402) 937-5937; Facebook: facebook.com/TalonSteelBuildings.
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