Building a Legacy: Rhett Fisher’s Journey at Ancon Construction

Rhett Fisher has been an integral part of Ancon Construction for over 18 years, having joined the company with a wealth of prior experience and familiarity.

Rhett’s background in construction began early, working at BIG C Lumber during high school and college. His journey to Ancon started at Crowe, where he specialized in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) as an accountant in the commercial group, with a large focus on construction. Ancon became his first major construction client, and his familiarity with Ancon’s people, including Vicky and then-president Bill Hunt, facilitated a smooth transition.

“The really nice thing about being part of Ancon was that they were a customer of mine when I was with Crowe. I knew quite a few of the people here and the financial situation. It is the best-case scenario to have all that pre-existing knowledge of what you are getting yourself into,” he recalls.

Rhett quickly grew to appreciate the construction process from conception to completion and became deeply immersed in Ancon’s culture. When John Place became president, Rhett was invited to join the board of directors and subsequently transitioned to the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Early in his career at Ancon, Rhett was impacted by the NIBCO ice park project in downtown Elkhart, a project that catalyzed significant positive change in his hometown. “We were the construction company that initiated the change in downtown Elkhart, and that’s a big deal. Being the catalyst for significant, positive change in our hometown is hard to beat.”

Rhett’s motivation and engagement stem from the overall potential of what Ancon could and has achieved. The journey to significant financial milestones has been daunting yet very rewarding. Rhett believes in managing profitability smartly and efficiently, a philosophy that has proven successful.

Over the years, Rhett’s role has evolved, increasing his ability to perform his job effectively. He is proud of having navigated the challenges of the 2008-09 recession and COVID-19, which have made him and the company more resilient. The new office, bringing field and office employees together, has been a long-term dream realized. This project has been the most time-consuming yet rewarding project he has been involved with.

To newcomers, Rhett advises embracing the culture of employee ownership. “At its core, it is a beefed-up 401K, but on top of that, you own a piece of the company. If you embrace that culture and responsibility, it is significant and it does make us different.” His advice for anyone stepping into his role includes having a sense of humor and getting to know and interact with colleagues. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” he says.

Rhett’s story is a testament to dedication, growth, and the impact of a strong, collaborative company culture only found here at Ancon Construction, a 100% Employee-Owned company.

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.