Derek’s Decade Journey with Ancon Construction

Derek’s Decade Journey with Ancon Construction

by | Jan 2, 2024 | Ancon News

 

Derek embarked on his journey in the world of construction a decade ago with Ancon Construction. It was a challenging time economically and armed with his freshly earned college degree, he hit the pavement, dropping off resumes at local construction companies. Ancon, foreseeing the future, was among the few construction companies at the time that were hiring. Little did he know this would mark the beginning of a fulfilling career.

He started his academic journey in Civil Engineering at Michigan Tech in the Upper Peninsula but found his true passion in construction management. Derek noted growing up he discovered a love for deconstructing things to understand their inner workings. The economic aspect of the industry also appealed to him – the art of value engineering, strategizing for short-term investments that would pay off in the long run.

Ancon, in contrast to other places, has always stood out to Derek for its people-oriented culture. The company is large enough to handle substantial projects with job security yet foster a sense of belonging like one big family.

Throughout his career, Derek has worn many hats. Beginning as part of the concrete crew, he experienced various roles – from a general laborer to the steel crew. He even explored the Project Manager role in Ancon’s Building Services (ABS) division for a year before returning to the field as a lead carpenter. About five years ago, he transitioned into the role of superintendent, a position he finds to be a perfect balance of hands-on work, leadership, and collaboration.

Memorable projects have defined his journey, such as the Goodwill Excel Center in South Bend and Ethos Science Center. Both projects transformed an older building back into something useful.

What he appreciates most about his current role is the variety it offers. Most projects run for about six months to a year, preventing monotony work as locations and projects change regularly. It’s a dynamic field that keeps things interesting.

If there’s one piece of advice, he’d offer to those entering the construction industry, it’s to “never shy away from opportunities. Treat yourself as a product – the more skills you acquire, the more valuable you become. Diversify your knowledge and expertise; you never know when it might come in handy when leading a project site.”

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

Ancon Construction Honored with Excellence in Construction Award for The Academy Project in Partnership with Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc.

Ancon Construction Honored with Excellence in Construction Award for The Academy Project in Partnership with Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc.

by | Dec 7, 2023 | ANCON News

addedPictured L to R: Matt VanSoest, Ancon Construction Designer; Debie Coble, President, and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc.; Doug VonGunten, Ancon Construction President; Chris Morrical, Ancon Construction Project Manager.

Ancon Construction Honored with Excellence in Construction Award for The Academy Project in Partnership with Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc.

Ancon Construction has been honored with the Excellence in Construction (EIC) award by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of Indiana/Kentucky, in collaboration with Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. The EIC award recognizes outstanding achievements in construction.

This achievement demonstrates Ancon Construction’s commitment to maintaining high standards and delivering exceptional construction projects. Their continued collaboration with Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. further emphasizes Ancon Construction’s dedication to excellence within the industry.

The ABC of Indiana/Kentucky Awards of Excellence program recognizes outstanding projects that exemplify the elevated standards upheld by Merit Shop contractors. In 2021, Ancon Construction was honored with an Excellence in Construction award for a new 105,000 square-foot outlet store and Excel Center in Gary, Indiana – owned and operated by Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. Ancon submitted their latest partnership project, known as The Academy, a 57,000 square-foot renovation of the 1930’s building, formerly part of the Bendix Corporation Campus. This renovation marked the conclusion of “phase-two,” completing the overall renovations at this location. 

The Goodwill Academy project includes e-commerce warehouse, training rooms, office space, tech step labs, and other workshop areas. This revitalized space beautifully blends Goodwill’s mission with contemporary, functional areas, aligned with their objectives for learning, workforce development, and community engagement.

The President of Ancon Construction, Doug VonGunten, shared, “Ancon and Goodwill have shared a 30-plus-year partnership with over 60 joint projects, demonstrating our shared commitment to excellence. Ancon’s dedication to delivering high-quality work aligns with Goodwill’s vision and this is evident in the successful collaboration of our projects. The awards also serve as a testament to Ancon Construction’s design-build expertise and the unwavering dedication of our Employee-Owners.”

“I truly appreciate the partnership we have shared with Ancon for so many years,” added Debie Coble, President, and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. “They understand, support, and embrace Goodwill’s mission of “empowering people to live their most abundant lives”. This renovation provides us with the space to execute this mission by providing education, training, and job placement through the Excel Center, a high school for adults, and The Academy, the hard skills training center for areas such as automotive and the trades.” 

For more information about Ancon Construction and to explore more of their noteworthy projects, please visit AnconConstruction.com. To understand the profound impact of Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc. on our communities, please visit Goodwill-ni-org.

About Goodwill Industries of Michiana, Inc.:
Because we believe in the power of work, our mission is to strengthen communities by empowering individuals and families through education, training, and job placement.

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

Ground Broken on Ancon Construction’s New Corporate Office

Ground Broken on Ancon Construction’s New Corporate Office

by | Nov 21, 2023 | Ancon News

From left are Nick Kieffer, Goshen Chamber; Don Carrico Ancon’s Director of Operations & Safety;  Rhett Fisher, Ancon’s CFO; Ryan Kring, Ancon’s VP of Business Development; Doug VonGunten, Ancon’s President; John Place, Ancon’s past president and current Ancon Chairman of the Board; Jan Farren, Ancon board member; Katy Sonner, Executive Assistant at City of Goshen; Joanna King, Indiana State Representative

 

Ground Broken on Ancon Construction’s New Corporate Office

Ancon Construction marked a significant milestone as they broke ground last week for their new corporate office at 2121 Wilden Ave., in Goshen, Indiana. This event kicked off the renovation of the former Furnitureland building, which will become the future home of Ancon Construction’s corporate headquarters. Ancon is relocating from its current Elkhart Road location.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by approximately 50 individuals, including Ancon Employee-Owners, board members, Goshen Chamber staff, elected officials, and other friends of Ancon Construction.

Doug VonGunten, President of Ancon Construction, highlighted the project as a symbol of Ancon’s future, coinciding with its upcoming 50th business anniversary in 2025. The decision to relocate and renovate stems from outgrowing their current office space and the need for new offices that better represent the work of Ancon’s Employee-Owners.

Ancon Construction, a commercial design-build contractor in Goshen, Indiana, has played a pivotal role in shaping the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975. As a 100% employee-owned company since 1999, this move represents a strategic investment in the next 50 years of Ancon Construction.

Ben King, Ancon Construction architect, expressed excitement about the project, foreseeing a more collaborative and modern office space. He emphasized the creation of a campus fostering relationships between office and field staff.

The new corporate office, transforming 24,000 square feet of the former Furnitureland store acquired in 2022, will symbolize Ancon’s award-winning work and dedication to their Employee-Owners. Key design features include natural daylight, open and collaborative workspaces, various meeting areas, and a central hub featuring a café, training room, outdoor patio, and lawn space. This transformation reflects Ancon’s dedication to quality and innovation.

“This project is more than just a building,” reflected VonGunten. “It will represent who we are as Employee-Owners and will be a place where our team can thrive. We’re excited to transform this building to better reflect the work that we do.”

Ancon Construction will transform the former Furnitureland store on Wilden Avenue in Goshen, Indiana, into their new corporate office. Above, is a picture of the old Furnitureland building, and below is a glimpse of the transformation into the future Ancon Construction corporate office.

 

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

Greg’s 20 Years with Ancon Construction

Greg’s 20 Years with Ancon Construction

by | Nov 20, 2023 | Ancon News

 

Greg embarked on his journey with Ancon Construction in the summer of 2003. Initially pursuing a career in architecture, Greg redirected his course after a year and a half of college. Drawn to hands-on work, his upbringing, filled with collaborative projects with his father, set the stage for his entrance into the construction world.

Greg’s passion for drawing, nurtured by his father’s role in the drafting department at Johnson Controls, evolved from sketching on a drafting table to mastering AutoCAD in high school. Although unsure about a career in construction initially, the joy of building from the ground up captivated him.

At Ancon Construction, Greg found more than a workplace; he found a family. “Ancon Construction is like a family around here. Everybody cares for everybody. They will help any out if you need help. You get to go to work, get a lot done and have fun at the same time.”

One of Greg’s standout projects was the Potawatomi Zoo Carousel. Beyond the satisfaction of its construction, watching his son delight in the carousel has become a cherished experience. The project coincided with his son’s birth, making it even more memorable.

Over the years, Greg diversified his skills, mastering carpentry through the ABC apprenticeship school in 2007, then concrete, and steel. He emphasized the importance of continuous learning and adapting to the uniqueness of each project, keeping him motivated over the past 20 years. “What keeps me motivated is every job is different. You are not doing the same job every day. You do get to be engaged in physical labor while simultaneously, using your brain and thinking of different ways to do each project. Each project demands a different approach.”

Greg enjoys mentoring the new generation of employee-owners, sharing his knowledge and fostering a positive work culture and currently has a focus on personal growth within the company.

As a testament to his journey, Greg encourages others to be “sponges of knowledge, cross-train extensively, stay true to oneself and stay positive.” His positivity, commitment, knowledge and craftsmanship make him a valuable asset to Ancon Construction.

About Ancon Construction:
Ancon Construction is a leading commercial design-build contractor offering services such as planning, architectural design, construction, remodeling, and maintenance. Headquartered in Goshen, Indiana, the company is 100% employee-owned and has been a cornerstone of the Michiana community’s architectural and construction landscape since 1975.

For more information about Ancon Construction, contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

Cultivating Leaders

Cultivating Leaders

by | Apr 19, 2023 | Ancon News

Cultivating Leaders: Doug Bender’s 37-Year Journey with Ancon Construction.

 

Meet Doug Bender, a 37-year employee-owner of Ancon Construction. “I always knew I wanted to be in construction. My grandma called me “Noah” – Because I always messed with my grandpa’s stuff – taking things apart and putting them back together. She said I was going to build things – she was right.”

In April of 1986, Doug started his journey with Ancon Construction when he received an offer to work in the company’s carpentry division. He swiftly climbed up the ranks and took on a foreman position, eventually becoming a superintendent. The most significant project for Doug was the Sturgis Wesleyan Church, where he first worked as a foreman. He played an active role in all aspects of the project, from the foundation to the highest point of the roof. He described the project as a “nice building – but grueling work,” due to the temperatures reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit in the hot summer of 1988.

Doug finds motivation in the challenges each new project brings. “You’re not always doing the same thing,” he said, adding that the challenges keep him sharp and engaged.

“Doug understands that different personalities exist and is very good at reading and dealing with the different types. That helps in having a cohesive crew which leads to a cohesive job with subcontractors,” shares, Lloyd, a leader Doug has admired over his years at Ancon Construction.

What Doug enjoys most, however, is growing aspiring craftsmen and leaders. “I’m not a teacher – I’m a farmer. Teaching isn’t what I do. I grow individuals,” he said. According to Doug, cultivating future craftsmen and leaders requires planting a seed, feeding, fertilizing, and nurturing until they understand. “Anyone can grow a weed. If you don’t take care of your crop, you’re not going to have one,” he added.

Doug’s experience at Ancon highlights the importance of mentorship in the workplace. His commitment to “cultivating” has helped Ancon Construction build a culture of excellence that attracts and retains talented individuals. It’s no wonder Doug has been with Ancon for 37 years and counting!

Doug’s story shows that it’s possible to find fulfillment and longevity in a career by constantly challenging oneself and passing on knowledge to the next generation. His journey with Ancon is a testament to the importance of mentorship in building a company’s culture and success. We wish Doug all the best in his future endeavors and look forward to seeing the fruits of his labor in the years to come.