Meet Danny Elsbury, Plant Operator 3 at AMI’s Tama Plant! Danny plays a key role in daily operations — overseeing safety inspections, managing inventory and supporting the plant manager.
Danny’s career at Asphalt Materials, Inc. began in 2004. Early on, the team recognized his impressive welding skills, which led him into a variety of hands-on roles from maintenance work to operating the rail and emulsion mills.
“I’ve done a little bit of everything,” Danny says. “I was raised on a farm and always loved welding there and in school. When I started here, I worked alongside hired welders and learned a lot from them. Eventually, we started doing all our own work at the plant.”
One example of Danny’s initiative was a recent pipeline installation project the plant was evaluating. “The engineering cost estimate was very high,” explains John Washuta, AMI Director of Operations. “Danny and another employee volunteered to do the work themselves and completed the project, saving the company nearly 60% of the original cost.”
His curiosity and willingness to learn is notable, and his sense of humor makes him someone people genuinely enjoy working with. Which is why Danny’s evolution into a safety leader, making such a lasting impact at the Tama Plant, is no surprise.
“Danny has become our biggest safety advocate,” says Rod Boldt, Tama Plant Manager. “He used to fight it, but once we sold him on safety, you could see it blossom through the rest of the team.”
Boldt notes how Danny’s leadership shows up daily: “When Danny is out in the plant, he isn’t afraid of calling people out for not being safe — whether it’s a contractor, driver or one of our operators.” Washuta echoes this: “Danny values safety very much and is a true leader not only at the site, but also across the network.”
Outside of work, Danny is deeply involved in wrestling, a passion that spans generations in his family with his son and daughters all competing in the sport. A former high school wrestler himself, Danny now coaches both youth and high school girls’ wrestling, as well as Iowa’s AAU and USA National Teams.
Danny’s passion for wrestling is evident. He treats the athletes he coaches like his own kids, investing in their growth with the same care and commitment he brings to his work.
In March 2025, Danny was honored as Coach of the Year for AAU wrestling, recognizing his impact on athletes throughout Iowa. That same day, his daughter brought home the victory in the AAU Girls State Tournament, following an undefeated high school season and state championship title.
John Washuta sees this experience translated into his leadership style at AMI, “Danny uses his coaching abilities in his daily work, training employees on how to do tasks safely and the right way. He has the respect of all the employees who value his guidance.”
Danny has lived in the Tama area his whole life, residing just miles from where he was born and raised. He and his father own land between their homes, which they use for hunting, farming and as a peaceful retreat. Danny also runs his own business doing tree work and roofing.
Whether he’s leading a safety initiative or mentoring a new team member, Danny’s approachability and genuine care for others make him a trusted voice across the plant. He has an innate ability to connect with people, often leaving conversations with new friends.
“I love working for AMI. They’re very family oriented. If something comes up, they support you 100%. That means a lot.” – Danny Elsbury
He also appreciates the welcoming culture across AMI locations. “Everyone wants to get to know each other better. It’s not just our crew, other plants are warm and open too.”
Danny attributes the plant’s success to the incredible team at Tama, with several team members trained to do nearly every function on site. Their ability to adapt to different responsibilities depending on the day makes them operate as a well-oiled machine.
His advice to new employees?
“Be open-minded. Pay attention to your surroundings. Don’t rush. If you don’t know something, ask. And don’t come in thinking you know it all — there’s always more to learn.”
With two decades under his belt, a passion for safety and a heart for mentorship, Danny is excited to continue his growth and is in the process of training for an Assistant Plant Manager role. His leadership and experience will no doubt continue to shape the future of the Tama Plant and AMI as a whole.
Danny’s commitment to safety, energy and the heart that he brings to his team every day is admirable. We’re proud to have you as part of the AMI family and excited to see what you will continue to accomplish!
Interested in joining the AMI team? Learn more on our careers page.
