Inside the Tollway

Helping veteran-owned businesses grow and succeed is an important part of the Illinois Tollway's efforts to expand opportunities for small businesses. 

Through its Partnering for Growth program, the Tollway pairs veteran-owned and other small businesses with established contractors that share their expertise and help them become more competitive. 

For Veterans Vac Services, that support helped turn a small business with a single sewer truck into a growing company that recently secured its first prime contract with the Tollway. 

Since beginning work with the Tollway in 2022, Veterans Vac has participated in nearly 40 projects, gaining experience and strengthening its operations with support from Partnering for Growth mentor Plote Construction. 

“Partnering for Growth has taught us everything we need to know that general contractors know,” said co-founder Raymond Andresen. “Everything from developing safety programs and implementing technology to learning how to manage projects more effectively.” 

Andresen, a Marine Corps veteran who served 20 years as an aviation mechanic, founded Veterans Vac in 2021 with business partner Jonathan Olds, a Navy Seabee veteran. The company provides sewer maintenance, hydro excavation and other specialized services to businesses and municipalities throughout Northern Illinois and Wisconsin. 

The company's first Tollway project involved storm sewer cleaning along the Tri-State Tollway (I-294). Since then, Veterans Vac has worked as a subcontractor on 36 additional projects across the Tollway system. 

In April 2026, the company reached a major milestone when it was awarded its first prime contract for work at the Hinsdale and O'Hare oases. 

Andresen credits much of the company's growth to its relationship with Plote Construction, which has provided mentoring in estimating, business development, risk management, project management and safety. 

“What we’ve learned through Partnering for Growth has largely come from our mentor,” said Andresen. “We’ve had one-on-one conversations, participated in safety ride-alongs and gained valuable insight into how to operate and grow our business.” 

The companies have extended the mentoring partnership twice, allowing Veterans Vac to continue building on the skills and experience gained through the program.  

From a single truck to nearly 40 Tollway projects and its first prime contract, Veterans Vac Services has come a long way in just a few years. With the experience and expertise gained through Partnering for Growth, the company is better positioned to pursue new opportunities and continue growing.   

View video here: https://youtu.be/9EdSWFTQ6-Q