Client Spotlight – Environmental Works
Partnership Profile
Why Environmental Works switched to Country Club Bank and what makes the relationship thrive
When Jamie Sivils took the helm of Environmental Works in 2013, he brought a background in commercial construction, real estate development, and law, along with a vision for solving complex environmental problems quickly, expertly, and with heart.
With less than 100 employees at the time and a reputation for tackling challenging problems with superb service, he knew the potential was there. The question was how to best develop and grow it.
Since then, hard work, prescient moves, and solid partnerships have paid off. Under Sivils’ leadership, the firm has expanded its capabilities and footprint, now employing over 370 people across 11 offices throughout the Midwest and Southwest.
Environmental Works has two main areas of focus: environmental consulting and industrial cleaning, which includes emergency response, environmental drilling, vacuum truck services, and waste disposal.
About one-third of its business is focused on consulting, where it helps companies comply with federal and state environmental regulations. From stormwater monitoring to Phase I assessments for commercial real estate transactions to environmental compliance and remediation, the firm acts as an outsourced environmental department for clients like Bass Pro Shops and other Fortune 1000 companies.
The remaining two-thirds of the business is where Environmental Works rolls up its sleeves, cleaning up industrial waste, performing environmental drilling, and responding to environmental emergencies. It also deploys heavy equipment and field teams nationwide when spills, derailments, or other disasters strike.
Good people, environmental expertise, logistics proficiency, and capital from Country Club Bank keep operations smooth and well-funded.
When COVID hit in 2020, Sivils was already in the process of moving Environmental Works’ banking relationship from a large national institution to Country Club Bank.
The timing turned out to be both stressful and serendipitous.
“Even though the world was shut down, Country Club Bank stuck with us and funded everything — including our PPP loan — in April 2020,” Sivils said. “It saved us. And it confirmed that we were working with the right partner.”
Today, Environmental Works uses nearly every service Country Club Bank offers, from operating and treasury accounts to equipment financing and strategic credit facilities. Sivils said the company’s banking relationship, led by Joe James, is casual, collaborative, and consistent.
“We talk monthly with Joe James and his team, usually over lunch,” said Sivils. “It’s not structured. It’s not stuffy. It’s real. And I like to bring my team into those meetings so they can see that our bankers are here to help us.”
This responsive, relationship-driven approach has paid off. When Sivils needed to quickly acquire a $750,000 sonic drill rig in a competitive bidding situation, Country Club Bank delivered fast access to capital.
“They made it happen within days,” Sivils said. “That ability to move quickly has helped us buy better and grow smarter.”
With a steady 10–15% annual growth rate, Environmental Works is now expanding into two emerging areas: flammable dust mitigation and industrial construction contracting. Both services fill vital gaps in the industrial sector and reflect the company’s forward-thinking approach.
Sivils said it's more proof of the value of clear and consistent communications with the Bank.
“Country Club Bank understands how we operate today and where we’re going tomorrow,” Sivils said. “That makes them more than a bank. They’re a true strategic partner.”