From Classroom to Construction: Chris’s Journey

From Classroom to Construction: Chris’s Journey

by | Mar 14, 2024 | ANCON News

 

Meet Chris, an Employee-Owner at Ancon Construction, with over five years of experience. His path to construction began with a career in education, teaching geometry, physics, and chemistry at the high school level. Reflecting on his time in education, Chris acknowledges the challenges teachers face, including managing behaviors and technology distractions, while deeply respecting their vital role in shaping young minds.

With his educational background, Chris decided to embrace a new adventure in construction. At Ancon, he found a supportive environment to learn and grow, gaining valuable insights from colleagues both in the office and on-site. These mentors played a crucial role in shaping his development as a project manager, navigating the complexities of commercial construction. This career change shows how valuable it is to seize opportunities and be adaptable.

“Chris is a great asset to Ancon and our project management team.  He has been instrumental in strengthening our team, leveraging his teaching background to support new members joining Ancon. He has a great career ahead of him, and we are fortunate to have him at Ancon,” shares Doug VonGunten, the President of Ancon Construction.

“Ancon is an amazing place to work because of the people and the environment,” shares Chris Morrical. “We put in hard work, but we also take time to celebrate our successes, get to know each other personally, and have fun. I love that my job provides new experiences and challenges every day. No two projects are exactly the same, leading to tons of opportunities to learn and grow.”

To Chris, project management is more than just overseeing construction sites; it involves navigating each unique challenge across diverse projects, demanding attention to detail and skillful coordination from start to finish. He emphasizes Ancon’s culture and reflects on a favorite project, Shady Creek Winery, notable for its unique design elements and resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. He takes great pride in fostering the lasting relationships he has developed with key Ancon clients like Goodwill, Heart City Health, and Dental Care Alliance. He shares, “Being able to carry on relationships that Ancon has had for years or decades is a true honor!”

To new Ancon recruits, Chris offers valuable advice: “Never be afraid to ask questions. The vast majority of people you’ll interact with on a daily basis are more than happy to share their knowledge and experiences, which is the best way to learn and develop in any new position.”

Chris Morrical’s journey demonstrates the importance of embracing change, seeking mentorship, and seizing opportunities for growth in one’s career.

Thank you, Chris, for boldly transitioning from teaching to commercial construction. We’re proud to have you as a valuable member of our team and part of the Ancon Family of Employee-Owners.

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.

Urban Environmental Stewardship Award

Urban Environmental Stewardship Award

by | Mar 12, 2024 | ANCON News

 

Congratulations to Lloyd Yoder from Ancon Construction for receiving the 2023 Urban Environmental Stewardship Award!

Lloyd was honored last week at the Elkhart County Soil and Water Conservation District for his outstanding work on two projects with Elkhart County, with most of his time spent on the new Consolidated Courts project. His dedication to project meetings and positive attitude were recognized by county officials.

Well done, Lloyd!

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.

Meet Employee-Owner Matt

Meet Employee-Owner Matt

by | Feb 28, 2024 | ANCON News

 

Matt Krause has been in construction for over 27 years, and for more than a decade, he has been a valuable Employee-Owner of the Ancon family!

“Matt started his career at Ancon as a foreman in our Ancon Building Services division. He then moved into a Superintendent role in our General Construction side. Matt is dedicated to completing his projects on time and of the highest quality. He truly cares about the customer and Ancon,” shared Don Carrico, Ancon Construction’s Director of Safety & Operations.

Matt started his career at Ancon Construction in the building services division eleven years ago and was promoted to Superintendent in 2020.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys camping and day trips with his three sons, Dylan, Christian, and Gabriel. Additionally, he is a fan of the Liverpool soccer team.

Here’s to over a decade of hard work and dedication. Thanks for all you do, Matt!

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.

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.