Herzog CEO survives choking incident, remains in hospital

A St. Joseph businessman remained in serious condition in a Washington, D.C., hospital Saturday after a choking incident and some quick action by his dinner mates saved his life.

Stanley Herzog, President and Chief Executive Officer of Herzog Contracting Corp., was having dinner Thursday night at a Washington restaurant with Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, Graves’ brother and Herzog board of directors member Todd Graves, former state senator Brad Lager and Herzog President and Chief Operating Officer Al Landes.

Landes said White House counselor Kellyanne Conway had briefly joined the group at the table but left before the dinner.

Landes said that near the end of the meal, Herzog began coughing after taking a piece of food. When the coughing grew worse and Herzog appeared to struggle with his breathing, Landes and the Graves brothers performed the Heimlich maneuver on Herzog and eventually dislodged the food.

The four men sat Herzog down but noticed he was struggling to breathe. At one point, Landes said Herzog “went totally limp” and the men laid Herzog on the floor. Sam Graves began performing chest compressions while the other men assisted. The men continued resuscitation efforts until an ambulance arrived and transported Herzog to the emergency room of George Washington University Hospital.

Landes said he and Herzog have known each other for 45 years and not only have a professional relationship but also a close, personal friendship.

Landes said doctors at George Washington Hospital stabilized Herzog, put him into a medically-induced coma and drained fluid from his lungs. He said that, as of Saturday, doctors said all signs point to Herzog eventually making a full recovery.

“They’re reviving him gradually,” Landes said. “Doctors say all signs seem to be good. The lungs are OK. Time will tell.”

Landes said that Herzog’s family rushed to Washington and are with him at the hospital.