John Slaten

Chief Executive Officer at Slaten Construction

Speaker

John Slaten is a seasoned construction executive with over 30 years of hands-on experience, spanning every aspect of the industry—from residential remodels to large-scale municipal, healthcare, and industrial developments. As Founder and CEO of Slaten Construction Inc., John leads a nationally recognized firm known for its unwavering commitment to quality, ethics, and service. Under his leadership, the company has delivered more than $1 billion in completed projects.

John’s journey began at the age of 14 when he started in the industry by sitting on the fence at 4am asking for work at job sites. His early days were spent working as a laborer on bridges, which consisted of Jackhammering twelve hours a day on bedrock in the fox river, walking beams at great heights (while carrying materials) to feed the carpenters and sweeping floors. Gaining trust through grit, speed, and an unshakable work ethic, John rose steadily through the ranks—from laborer to carpenter, foreman, superintendent, project manager, to vice president—eventually founding Slaten Construction to bring his values-driven approach to a wider platform.

John is known not only for his technical expertise and charismatic leadership but for his empathy, generosity, and long-term vision. He believes deeply in equitable treatment, honest communication, and doing the right thing—even when it’s hard. His passion for philanthropy runs deep, with a personal dream of one day building a hospital for children. (and their families).

Whether managing multimillion-dollar developments or mentoring young professionals, John brings the same energy and conviction: to build with integrity, treat people with dignity, and leave the world better than he found it. This is why he chose, “The Slaten Difference”, as the tagline for the company.