Life as a Division I student-athlete at Arizona State University (ASU) involves balancing demanding academic schedules with rigorous athletic commitments. For Sun Devil wrestlers Jacob Meissner and Carter Dibert, there is an additional challenge: managing their own business, Landmark Siteworks.
Meissner and Dibert, who juggle practices at Riches Wrestling Complex, competitions at Desert Financial Arena, and classes at ASU’s business school, oversee a construction and site development company that has secured residential, commercial, and government contracts in Maple Grove, Minnesota.
“It’s how we are wired,” said Meissner, a student at the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering. “As Division I athletes, we treat work the same way we do wrestling. Our principles on the mat have very much carried over to how we run the business, how to be a leader and how to go through different adversities.”
Meissner’s interest in entrepreneurship began during his first year at ASU when he considered starting a mentorship program for youth sports participants. Although that project did not materialize, it set the stage for future ventures. Back in Minnesota, Andrew Simonson—Meissner’s childhood friend—ran a lawn mowing business. Seeking growth beyond high school jobs, Simonson enlisted Meissner’s help to reimagine the operation.
“We didn’t know if it was going to take off. At first, we thought maybe we would make a little money,” explained Meissner.
“But then we stopped presenting ourselves as high school kids trying to make a quick buck. We started being professional, intentional and serious.”
With this shift in approach, Landmark Siteworks expanded its reach quickly from residential projects into larger commercial and government contracts. When operations grew more complex, Dibert joined as chief financial officer.
“When Jacob started telling me what he was doing, I knew I could help. What I was learning in class was lining up perfectly with what the business needed: buying capital expenditures, mapping out your cash flow,” added Dibert of the W.P. Carey School of Business.
“It all lined up perfectly but I think I had to prove myself a little bit too—to Jacob and to myself.”
Together with Simonson running operations back home in Minnesota while Meissner and Dibert studied in Tempe, Landmark Siteworks developed systems for estimating projects and building relationships with banks capable of supporting larger contracts—all while competing as collegiate wrestlers.
The company faced challenges typical for startups. The 2025 government shutdown gave them time to review their rapid growth and refine processes such as testing systems through seasonal work like snow removal before taking on larger construction projects.
“For our company that’s going to allow us to grow into these contracts safely because it is a little bit daunting when we have these contracts for millions of dollars,” Dibert explained.“It’s nice to be able to test the system a little bit with these snow contracts. Then the goal is that next year all these government and commercial contracts will hopefully go off without a hitch.”
ASU’s resources played an important role in their journey. Through programs like Venture Devils and access to university-provided consulting services—including accountants and bankers—the founders received guidance typically costly for most startups.
“ASU gave us a head start that most startups don’t get,” Meissner said.“One conversation we had turned into great accounting help and led to some strong banking relationships that we have now.”
Mental health support from ASU also helped them manage stress related both to athletics and running their business.
“I’m managing the stress of wrestling life and business too so sometimes I struggle mentally a little bit,” Dibert explained.“Talking to someone weekly just to hash things out keeps everything aligned—and it’s so huge for us.It’s so nice to have these resources.”
For Meissner and Dibert their efforts are about more than financial success; they want other student-athletes at ASU see what is possible by using available resources.
“College is the time to build something.Use the resources,talkto mentors build relationshipsand lean into your people.You can do this while you’re here.This isthe time tobuil d something,” advised Meissner.
He continued,“I represent ASUin everythingI do.They’rethe reason whywehavea head start,and they designedittobe that way.That adds tour‘why?’We needto letallofour friendsknowthatwhatASUhascreatedisworking,andwewanttosay‘ifyou’regoingtodothisgoallin.’”
Wrestling continues shaping how they handle challenges outside sport—from contract negotiations topartner communications—with lessons learned onthemat informingtheirapproach.InMeissner’s words:“Ifyou’retenpoundsoverthedaybeforeweigh-in,youfigureitout.Youdon’tcomplain.Youadjust.Businessisthesameway.”