Ancon Construction Recognized with Fairbanks Award for Beautification Efforts in Elkhart County

Ancon Construction Recognized with Fairbanks Award for Beautification Efforts in Elkhart County

by | May 7, 2025 | ANCON News, Ancon News

Ancon Construction Recognized with Fairbanks Award for Beautification Efforts in Elkhart County

 

 

Ancon Construction is proud to announce that they are the recipient of the Fairbanks Award from the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce. The award recognizes the company’s contribution to the beautification of Elkhart County through its newly completed corporate office at 2121 West Wilden Avenue in Goshen, Indiana.

Presented quarterly by the Chamber’s Beautification Council, the Fairbanks Award honors businesses and not-for-profit organizations that enhance the community through new construction, renovations, and/or landscaping. Ancon was selected for its transformation of the former Furnitureland building into a modern, 24,000-square-foot headquarters — demonstrating the company’s commitment to revitalizing existing structures with thoughtful design and long-term community impact.

Kathy Cardwell, Chief Administrative Officer with the Greater Elkhart Chamber, shares, “Ancon Construction was chosen by the Greater Elkhart Chamber’s Business Recognition Council to be the Fairbanks Quarterly award recipient for their beautiful, new facility that has helped to beautify our Elkhart County Community.”

“We are honored to receive the Fairbanks Award,” said Doug VonGunten, President of Ancon Construction. “Having been part of this community for 50 years, we take pride in creating spaces that not only serve our clients but also enrich our communities. This new headquarters is especially meaningful to me — it’s a project I’ve dreamed about for years. It represents much more than just renovating a building; it reflects who we are as Employee-Owners and showcases Ancon’s Integrated Design-Build™.”

“Whether transforming our own space or revitalizing buildings, our team enjoys breathing new life into existing structures. These projects reflect the core of our day-to-day work and our belief in reinvesting in the communities we call home. They also embody our design philosophy and set a high standard for adaptive reuse in commercial construction. We’re proud to create spaces where people can come together and thrive.”

This recognition highlights Ancon’s Integrated Design-Build™ project delivery method. Our in-house architect and design team approach every project with a process and people flow mindset. Our new office is a testament to how relationship-driven design can create modern, engaging workspaces that increase employee retention and create the type of environment that attracts top talent.

As a 100% Employee-Owned company, we are personally invested in every step, championing your vision to deliver buildings that inspire, perform, and endure.

About The Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce
The mission of the Chamber is to be the leading resource for making connections that foster collaboration, which serves and promotes efforts to strengthen the Greater Elkhart business community. www.elkhart.org

About the Fairbanks Award
The Greater Elkhart Chamber’s Business Recognition Council presents the Fairbanks Award annually to four businesses who exemplify innovative and extraordinary beautification efforts to enhance our community. This award recognizes businesses and not-for-profit entities making outstanding beautification efforts, either through new construction or renovations, in our community. This could be beautification of existing property, structure, or landscaping, or remodeling to enhance the overall appearance of the property.

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 construction and architectural landscape since 1975.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Amy Self, Ancon Construction’s Marketing Manager, at 574.533.9561, aself@anconconstruction.com, or visit anconconstruction.com.

Our People, Their Story. Bryan’s Story with Ancon Construction

Our People, Their Story. Bryan’s Story with Ancon Construction

by | Feb 22, 2025 | ANCON News

 

Our People, Their Story: Bryan’s Story with Ancon Construction

Bryan’s journey with Ancon Construction spans more than a decade, beginning with a high school internship and evolving into an architectural design role. Reflecting on the past five years as an Employee Owner, Bryan describes his experience as one of both personal and professional growth.

Bryan’s path into the construction industry started at Goshen High School, where he participated in the ICE (Internship Cooperative Experience) program. He spent his entire senior year interning at Ancon, working mornings throughout the fall and spring semesters. After graduating, he pursued architecture at Ball State University and returned to Ancon during summer breaks. Upon earning his degree, he took a design role at Jayco, where he spent five years creating luxury fifth-wheel RVs.

When an opportunity arose at Ancon Construction on their design team, he returned. Since then, he notes this change within the company: “We’re busier than ever, and the type of projects we take on have become more refined,” he explains.

Bryan has always known he wanted to be a designer in an environment that continuously challenges him. One of the aspects he values most is Ancon’s employee ownership model. “Being an Employee Owner is a game changer,” he says. “It’s a massive financial perk, but more importantly, it creates a culture of shared investment and accountability.”

Among his many projects, the Ice Box expansion stands out as the most complex. “It’s not just a skating rink,” he explains. “We had to integrate old and new spaces seamlessly while raising the existing lobby floor by one and a half feet.” The intricacy of the design and the problem-solving required made it a memorable challenge. Another highlight of his career is Shady Creek Winery, a project that was both visually stunning and personally fulfilling. “Attending the ribbon cutting and seeing people’s reactions to the finished space was surreal,” he recalls.

What keeps Bryan engaged in his role is the variety of projects Ancon takes on. “Every day is different. One day, I’m working on programming; the next, I’m developing high-quality renderings for a different project.” Over the years, his role has evolved, transitioning from being behind the scenes to taking on more responsibility. “I now serve as the primary design contact on select projects, collaborating closely with the project manager and superintendent to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

One of Bryan’s proudest moments has been seeing the projects he designed come to life, from the initial design phases to the grand openings. “It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the impact our work has on communities, whether it’s our office, or another landmark project.”

For those starting their careers in design or construction, Bryan’s advice is simple: “Buy in, ask for help, and don’t be afraid to take risks. That’s the best way to grow.” He believes success in his role comes from teamwork and a willingness to learn. “I’ve always strived to absorb as much knowledge as possible from experts in different areas.” At Ancon, he continues this approach, building strong relationships with superintendents and field staff.

The collaborative environment at Ancon makes it a unique place to work, with a culture that encourages growth and innovation. “We all contribute to the success of our projects, and that makes a huge difference.”

As Bryan looks ahead, he’s excited about Ancon’s future and the projects to come. His journey is a testament to continuous learning and the impact of a company that invests in its people.

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.

Our People, Their Stories: Meet Our Employee Owners

Our People, Their Stories: Meet Our Employee Owners

by | Sep 28, 2024 | ANCON News

OUR PEOPLE, THEIR STORIES: MEET OUR EMPLOYEE OWNERS

Click on each picture or name below to read the story of the Ancon Construction Employee Owner.

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.

Our People, Their Story: Meet Dave, a Concrete Finisher at Ancon Construction

Our People, Their Story: Meet Dave, a Concrete Finisher at Ancon Construction

by | Sep 11, 2024 | ANCON News

 

Our People, Their Story: Meet Dave, a Concrete Finisher at Ancon Construction

 

Meet Dave, a dedicated Concrete Finisher who has been with Ancon Construction for over 30 years. With vast experience, he holds certifications in Green Construction, OSHA 10-Hour Training, and a CDL license. Dave is an invaluable member of our concrete crew.

Don Carrico, Director of Safety and Operations, shares, “Dave is an integral part of our concrete crew and company. His experience is irreplaceable. He is always willing to help and goes above and beyond.”

Outside of work, Dave enjoys spending time with his family, which includes 2 children and 6 grandchildren. Every year, he looks forward to vacationing in Pensacola, Florida. A true handyman, Dave loves working on anything mechanical. His green thumb is also impressive—he enjoys the challenges of growing banana trees, palm trees, and pineapple plants in a climate you don’t normally try growing tropical plants in!

Dave’s dedication to his craft makes him a valued employee-owner of the Ancon family.

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.

From Laborer to Project Leader: Mitch’s Journey at Ancon Construction

From Laborer to Project Leader: Mitch’s Journey at Ancon Construction

by | Aug 13, 2024 | ANCON News

 

From Laborer to Project Leader: Mitch’s Journey at Ancon Construction

 

Mitch embarked on his journey with Ancon Construction at the young age of 18, starting as a laborer. For the first couple of years, Mitch honed his carpentry skills before transitioning to the steel crew, where he spent four years helping to build steel buildings. His versatility and dedication eventually led him to the service side of Ancon called Ancon Building Services (ABS), where he has been for the past nine years. He enjoys the variety that comes with working for ABS, where each day brings new challenges and opportunities.

Interestingly, construction wasn’t Mitch’s initial career choice. During his junior year of high school, he enrolled in Career Training education with plans to pursue automotive work. However, when the automotive program was full, Mitch was placed in Building Trades. This unexpected turn of events sparked his interest in construction, and he found himself enjoying the field so much that he joined Ancon shortly after graduating high school.

“The knowledge and patience Mitch has with steel buildings enhanced his career at Ancon as he has become the “go to” for miscellaneous steel building and roof repairs.” shared Drew Buss, the director of Ancon’s Building Services division. 

Mitch speaks highly of Ancon, describing it as a fun and rewarding place to work. He appreciates the camaraderie and the opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals. “There are a lot of good people here who will teach you if you don’t know a lot about construction,” Mitch shares.

One of Mitch’s most memorable projects was the first Universal Bearings building in Bremen, Indiana. On his first day, he was tasked with “walking steel,” a thrilling and challenging job that involved walking across steel beams, sometimes 30 feet off the ground, wearing a safety harness. “It was an adrenaline rush and something I really enjoyed doing over the next three years,” he recalls. “It’s something I honestly really miss doing.”

Mitch’s sense of ownership and pride in his work has kept him motivated and engaged at Ancon for nearly 17 years. As an employee-owner, he takes great pride in contributing to the company’s success. “It’s more than just a paycheck. It’s knowing that I’m helping this company succeed and being an employee-owner is really rewarding.”

Mitch’s proudest accomplishment at Ancon is the recent completion of the Sacred Heart Parish Center project. This was the first major project he managed entirely, overseeing all subcontractors and Ancon team members. “It was definitely something that I really enjoyed, and I look forward to doing more jobs like that in the future,” he says.

When asked for advice for newcomers to the company, Mitch emphasizes the importance of learning from others, working hard, and maintaining a positive attitude. He also highlights the critical role of communication in his job. “Being able to properly communicate with customers and mesh well with other employees to work as a team is vital,” he notes.

Mitch attributes his success to living life to the fullest and always being honest. He considers himself easy to get along with, a quality that has served him well in the construction industry. “These values have helped me through my journey at Ancon,” he concludes.

Mitch Kelley’s story is a testament to the opportunities and growth that Ancon Construction offers its employees. His journey from a young laborer to leading projects with Ancon Building Services (ABS) showcases the rewarding career path that dedication, hard work, and a positive attitude can forge in the construction industry.

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.