With over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, Doug VonGunten is one of Ancon Construction’s many valuable project managers. Doug’s responsibilities as a project manager begin long before construction actually starts, leading the design-build team in programming, design, budgeting, and cost estimating. The project manager continues his leadership role throughout the construction process until the project has been completed and handed-off to the customer. Doug has managed a wide variety of projects including industrial projects, manufacturing facilities, streetscapes and infrastructure, zoo animal exhibits, ice skating parks, educational facilities, and more.
Some of Doug’s accomplishments include awards for Excellence in Merit Shop Construction for a new TLCU Financial building and a multi-purpose center at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Additionally, Doug’s Eddy Street Commons Streetscape project won an Associated Builders and Contractors Merit Shop Image award and the North American River Otter Exhibit project he managed at the Potawatomi Zoo earned an ABC Award of Honor. Through all of the projects that Doug has managed, he is most proud of making a client’s ideas and dreams about their project a reality.
Onsite Making Sure Projects Run Smooth
Aside from his work at Ancon, Doug finds many ways to serve and give back to the community. He is a member and Past President of Goshen Noon Kiwanis, serves on the Apprenticeship Committee for the local chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors apprenticeship program, and is an active member of his church, Walnut Hill Mennonite in Goshen. Doug also serves on the Board of Directors for Ryan’s Place, a not-for-profit organization that provides grief support to children, teens, and families who have experienced the death of a family member or loved one. Most recently, Doug has been serving on a committee with the Goshen Parks Department that is designing a playground for children of all ability levels.
Doug lives just North of Goshen with his wife of 21 years, Jolene, and their three children: Jack (16), Garrett (13), and Molly (9). In his free time, Doug enjoys attending his kids’ sporting events and music programs and being active outdoors, including cycling, running, camping, and hiking. Doug and his family also enjoy spending time at the beach in North Carolina with their extended family.
Doug says about his work, “I really enjoy the construction industry and the challenges that it brings. There are new challenges every day and no two projects are ever the same.” Doug is an invaluable part of the Ancon team. Both Ancon and its customers greatly benefit from his vast experience and tireless work.
Every year 40 regional leaders under the age of 40 are recognized by The South Bend Regional Chamber’s 40 under 40 award. This recognition shines the spotlight on 40 of the area’s most talented and dedicated young executives, professionals and leaders who demonstrate career success and community engagement. The 2017 class will represent the 11th Michiana Forty under 40 class with 400 leaders already receiving recognition. This program is an annual collaborative effort between the South Bend Regional Chamber, the Young Professionals Network South Bend, and other partners in the Michiana region.
Ancon is proud to announce that Matthew VanSoest has been chosen for the class of 2017. Matt is a lead designer on the Ancon Design-Build team. As employee owner, Matthew and a holistic team of architects, engineers, project managers, and construction crews, work together on a daily basis on design and construction projects. The Design-Build method, a very unique and rare project delivery method in the area’s construction industry, promotes daily collaboration on design, cost, scheduling, and construction methods. Furthermore, Matthew and the team push the boundaries and are on the leading edge of innovative, creative, and cost effective methods in architecture and construction – making sure both the design and cost are in sync with one another – a very large feat in this day and age!
Since 2012, Matthew has served on the transition team for ETHOS Science Center in Elkhart. He worked with the ETHOS team in developing several short term and long term visions and master planning concepts. Matt earned his Bachelors of Architecture in 2008 and went on to earn his Masters of Architecture 2010 with concentrations in educational design and community redevelopment. Matt has a gift for creative design and has been honored for several of his designs. Congrats Matt and we are proud to have such a leader on the Ancon team!
Ancon Construction is excited to announce that the employee owned company has added an additional team member, Mark Groshans. Mark joined Ancon in November as a project manager and will focus on the cost estimating and project management process of concrete work and will also assist with Ancon Building Services (ABS) Department.
Experienced in South Bend, Elkhart, Goshen, Mishawaka Regions.
Mark has been in the construction industry for many years in our region and has a large list of existing relationships that he hopes to bring with him to Ancon. When asked about his new position Mark said, “Being hired by Ancon is a great opportunity to work with a company that is well known for quality work and is well respected within the community and industry. I am honored to work with such a great group of people that know the importance of family.”
Ancon is continuing to enjoy growth as a company and adding Mark to our team will only serve to enhance the great relationships we have with our customers and increase our speed to market. Welcome aboard!
Ever wonder what the coolest office in Chicago is…or looks like? Check out the winner of this year’s 2106 Coolest Office Award. Pandora’s 80′ themed office took home the bragging rights for 2016.
When the Chicago Cubs considered South Bend to move their Class A Affiliate here there were a lot of expectations. Some of these were simple…some took a major investment like replacing the newer artificial turf with professional play quality grass. Team owner Andrew Berlin and team president Joe Hart went a step further and envioused a hitting facility that would not only be state of the art, not only be used to strengthen the player skils in the farm system but would be a community resource to give anyone from T-Ballers to high school players a place to improve their hitting, fielding and throwing. This was the concept behind the South Bend Cubs Performance Center.
