LYNDEN, Wash. – At the 4^th Annual AGC Construction Career Day, WRS hosted two exhibits to interact with the over 400 students from around 15 high schools in attendance at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center.

WRS has been a supporter of this event from the start.

“This event is in its fourth year, and when we first started it, WRS’s [CEO] Ryan Likkel was one of the first people I reached out to because I know from my conversations with Ryan and his team how important developing the future of our industry is,” Lance Calloway, AGC of Washington Northern District Manager, said. “They jumped in right away, and they’ve been one of our lead sponsors every single year. They not only lead in helping us sponsor, they have a tremendous amount of their people out here engaging with our students.”

Throughout the school year, WRS connects with local high schools to talk with students about a career in the trades. During the 2025-26 school year, WRS spent time with Lynden High School, Ferndale High School, Nooksack Valley High School, Squalicum High School, and Sehome High School. All of that culminated in being at the AGC Construction Career Day.

“I think it’s important for WRS to be at the AGC Career Day and for us to go to high schools to get in front of the students and show them what a job at WRS looks like and just the trades in general,” Tyler Yost, WRS Health and Safety Professional, said.

The importance of being at this event means WRS is well-represented throughout the day.

“As a local company here in the community, it’s great for WRS to be involved in events like this so students can get a feel for what it’s like to have their hands on equipment,” Sam Kloes, General Superintendent for WRS’s Civil Construction team, said.

Getting a chance to sit on an excavator is all part of the fun of learning.

WRS Health and Safety Manager Andy Stuth agreed that the experience the students get at this event was valuable.

Stuth noted the importance of being able to talk with the students and let them know what kind of trades are out there and what they might be interested in, so “they know when they’re out of school what’s available to them.”

Jacob Brouwer, Career and Technical Education Teacher at Squalicum High School, has connected with WRS on previous occasions to talk with his students about a career in the trades. He said that over the past few years, he’s seen his students really embrace – and excel at – hands-on learning.

“Being out here at this Construction Day field trip, the kids always say that it’s the coolest field trip they’ve ever done in their entire life, and they’re so excited to see everyone out here,” Brouwer said.

Looking around, Kloes mentioned how great it is to have so many contractors getting involved. He’s been at every AGC Construction Career Day for the past four years, and has seen firsthand the growth of the event.

“It seems like it grows every year, which is really awesome to see,” Kloes said.

Calloway looked happy to see the engagement.

“It’s a great industry,” Calloway said. “You can find all kinds of opportunities that challenge you and keep you growing, and I know WRS also does a lot in that realm with a lot of their apprenticeship programs, as well as promotion within. Those folks that are WRS should be proud of the organization they’re a part of.”

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About WRS: Western Refinery Services, Inc. (WRS) is a specialty contractor based in Ferndale, Wash. with offices in Ferndale and Nampa, Idaho, specializing in civil construction, commercial and residential asphalt paving and maintenance, industrial maintenance, land-leveling, demolition, and more. Since 1982, WRS has been the community’s trusted problem-solvers, led by a team of experts in their fields.