2019 40 Under 40: Phil Rauch, 37

SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton

Phil Rauch always knew he wanted to be a business owner, and after driving his first auto carrier, the Billings-native knew the transportation industry was his future.

Today, Sancrest LLC is a $12 million company with more than 40 employees and 27 trucks. In 2016, the company added trailer sales in an expansion from its initial Billings location to Rogersville.

The company gives back to its community through H.O.P.E. Foundation and has raised more than $20,000 for the organization.

After forest fires devastated areas of Missouri in 2018, Rauch formed the Southwest Missouri Fire Relief Efforts Crew to help farmers rebuild. Rauch also personally farms 900 acres with more than 250 cattle and is a real estate investor and owner of TR Properties of Southwest Missouri LLC.

He is board member of Southern Missouri Truck and Tractor Pulling Association and Peoples Community Bank.

What was your first job? Growing up on a farm, I used to milk cows twice a day. The first job outside of the family farm was a welder/fabricator.

What is your proudest moment? The day my son was born!

What about your job would shock people? I can and do the same job that I ask from any of my employees. I am one of the most hands-on owners you will ever run across. 

What did you learn the hard way? Business. I started my company from scratch not really knowing anything about it.