FAQs

First and foremost, boulder retaining walls offer a solution that provides strength and durability that hold up to harsh environmental conditions such as rain, snow, freezing and thawing. When built properly, boulder walls allow drainage through the wall, as opposed to trying to hold back the force of nature. In addition, boulders provide natural and rugged aesthetics which are sure to increase the value of any property. 

Most jurisdictions and municipalities require walls exceeding four (4) feet in height to be engineered and permitted. Other factors include slopes above and/or below the wall as well as whether a wall is built on the shoreline of a lake or river.  RPC has been in business since 1998, and no company in the region has more experience building boulder retaining walls. If engineering and permitting are required, RPC can take care of all necessary designs and approvals.

RPC uses an array of equipment that can handle any job. Depending on the size of the project and height of the wall, we use purpose-built rock trucks (large trucks with cranes/loaders mounted to them), large excavators, or mini excavators to build the walls. We often use skid steers or small wheel loaders to deliver materials to the construction team. Typically, a minimum width of 7 ½ feet is necessary for a project team to access a job site. However, we can rent smaller equipment if access is an issue. 

Rock Placing Company (RPC) has offices in Spokane Valley, WA, Pasco, WA and Nampa, ID. With those three locations, we serve all eastern and central Washington, all of Idaho, northcentral and northeast Oregon, and western Montana.  We have also supported projects as far away as Wyoming, Utah and Nevada. 

Our Spokane location serves Spokane, Cheney, Ritzville, Colville, Chewelah, Newport, Pullman, Clarkston, Lewiston, Moscow, Post Falls, Rathdrum, Coeur d’Alene, Spirit Lake, Priest River, Priest Lake, Sandpoint, Lake Pend Oreille, Missoula, Hamilton, Kalispel, and Whitefish among others. Our Tri-Cities location serves Pasco, Kennewick, Richland, West Richland, Walla Walla, Prosser, Yakima, Ellensburg, Cle Elum, Suncadia, Othello, Moses Lake, Wenatchee, Chelan, Hermiston, and Pendleton. Our Boise location serves all the Treasure Valley including Eagle, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell, and Star, as well as Mountain Home, Weiser, Cambridge, McCall, Sun Valley, Ketchum, Twin Falls, Burley, Pocatello, Ontario, Baker City and La Grande.

RPC is the region’s largest and most experienced supplier and installer of boulder retaining walls. The company was founded in 1998 and has a combined 250 years of experience building boulder retaining walls, with many employees with over 20 years of experience. Our employee training program ensures that new employees stay safe and learn from the industry’s best operators.

Yes, RPC, LLC has an Oregon Construction Contractors Board License (CCB# 251563).

Angel Lopez

Sales & Project Manager

Angel Lopez was born and raised in a small mountain town in the Sonoran region of northern Mexico. He earned his law degree from the University of Sonora in Hermosillo, Sonora.

 While attending school college, Angel worked for RPC for four summers as part of the ground support team, gaining hands-on field experience building boulder retaining walls. After graduating, he spent time living in Phoenix and working as a manager for System Transport before returning to RPC.

 Today, Angel manages the Tri-Cities location, where he is committed to helping clients and partners throughout the area with professionalism and reliability.  In his free time, Angel enjoys spending time with his wife and their Shih Tzu dog exploring the northwest.

Tanner Ackerman

Sales & Project Manager, Lock + Load Division

Tanner is an Idaho native who graduated from Skyview High School in Nampa and went on to play collegiate soccer at Eastern Oregon University. He joined the company in 2017 and brings a strong work ethic and team-focused mindset to his role as Sales Project Manager. Outside of work, Tanner enjoys hunting and fishing, riding razors in the mountains, and spending time with friends and family.

Levi Gilman

Sales & Project Manager

Levi graduated early from high school to serve in the U.S. Army, where he spent two of his four years stationed overseas as an artilleryman. Upon completing his military contract, he pursued his passion for aviation by attending flight school, earning a degree in aviation science and technology, and securing his commercial helicopter pilot’s license. Levi joined RPC in 2020, taking on roles as a truck driver, crane operator, and excavator operator before transitioning into his current position as Sales and Project Manager. When he’s not working, Levi stays busy managing a small local airport and a 10,000-acre ranch, while enjoying activities like flying helicopters, hunting and fishing.

Bruce Manley

Sales & Project Manager

After earning an applied science degree  from Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Bruce spent 23 years working in the airline industry before returning to his home state of Idaho. Bruce first encountered RPC as a customer before joining the team in 2023. As Sales and Project Manager, Bruce manages client projects and strives to deliver the same quality of service that turned him from a customer into a team member. In his spare time, Bruce enjoys building LEGO sets with his son and watching sports.

Shane Atkinson

Operations Manager

Raised in Idaho, Shane graduated from Eagle High School and has worked in construction throughout his career. He started in carpentry and soon found his calling in heavy equipment, leading him to join RPC in 2015 as a quarry operator. Over the years, Shane has taken on various roles, including ground support, operator, and project lead, and is now the Operations Manager for the Boise branch. Outside of work, Shane enjoys coaching his son’s sports teams and spending time outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.

Nate Ackerman

General Manager, Boise

An Idaho-native, Nate began his career in construction after graduating high school , honing his skills in specialty machine operation. In 2005, he joined Conveyored Materials Company of Idaho, a sister company to RPC, operating conveyor trucks. His expertise led him to RPC, where he advanced to lead operator before transitioning into sales and project management in 2018 and becoming Branch Manager of Boise in 2023. In 2024, he was promoted to General Manager. When he isn’t working, Nate enjoys Idaho’s outdoors, with activities such as hunting, fishing and camping.

Jordan Atkinson

Sales & Project Manager

A Northern California native, Jordan enlisted in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman after graduating high school, serving stateside and overseas. After completing his service in 2020, Jordan moved to Spokane and joined RPC as ground support, later taking on builder and project lead roles. Today, he serves as Sales and Project Manager. When not at work, Jordan enjoys spending time on the water, as well as with friends, family and his dog, Walter.

Bob Joy

Sales & Project Manager

Bob, raised in Spokane, began his career in the landscape industry while in high school. He joined RPC in 2001 as an operator and wall builder before stepping away to run his own business. In 2023, Bob rejoined RPC as a Sales and Project Manager, pairing his hands-on experience with creative problem-solving. A firm believer in leading by example, he strives to support his team every step of the way. Outside of work, Bob enjoys cooking for friends and family, completing home improvement projects and exploring local lakes and rivers by boat.

Jake Hall

Branch Manager, Spokane

Jake graduated from University High School in Spokane Valley and immediately entered the construction industry as a loader operator, later acquiring his Commercial Driver’s License. Jake joined RPC in 2015, operating rock trucks and other equipment. In 2019, he transitioned to a role as a Sales and Project Manager. Three years later, he was promoted to Branch Manager for Spokane, overseeing operations and client projects. When not working, Jake enjoys boating, camping, traveling, playing guitar and spending time with family and friends.

Guy Smith

Co-Owner & Project Lead

Guy grew up in Spokane and graduated from Mead High School before launching a career in the landscape industry. He joined RPC in 1999 as the first outside hire and has since been central to shaping RPC’s reputation for quality and customer satisfaction in Spokane and the Tri-Cities. In his free time, Guy enjoys grilling and spending time with his family at Priest Lake.

Johanna Stern

Accounting & Human Resources Manager

Johanna holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Eastern Washington University. She joined RPC in 2021, bringing over 30 years of experience in the construction industry. She oversees financial management, human resources, and back-office operations across all locations. Outside the office, Johanna enjoys BBQs, concerts, car races, volleyball, fishing and photography.

Dan Kinney

President

Dan graduated from Gonzaga University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and later earned a master’s degree in engineering management from Washington State University. After 28 years of experience in the aerospace industry, Dan joined RPC in 2019 to lead the family business. As president, Dan oversees the company’s operations, maintaining its commitment to quality and service. When he isn’t at work, Dan enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends, whether hunting, fishing, hiking, bicycling, boating or snowmobiling.