by Ryan Kring | Mar 13, 2018 | Ancon News
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.
by Ryan Kring | Jan 29, 2018 | Ancon News
Goshen, IN-Don Carrico serves as the Operations Manager and Safety Director at Ancon Construction. Don spends countless hours making sure that all of Ancon’s jobs are adequately staffed and running smoothly – ensuring the best overall product for our customers in the shortest time possible. He also helps ensure the safety of Ancon’s field employees by monitoring job sites and conducting safety training when necessary. Don holds OSHA 10-hour certification relating to scaffolding, forklifts, scissor lifts, trenching & shoring, confined spaces, and many other areas of construction. During Don’s 20 years with Ancon Construction he moved from sweeping floors to working as a journeyman steel worker and foreman, eventually taking on his current role of Operations Manager and Safety Director. Don takes great pride in completing a job on time and under budget, knowing that the finished product is second to none.
Don Preparing a Safety Program for an Upcoming Project
Even outside of his work at Ancon, Don is active in our community. He works part time as an on-call fire fighter for Southwest Central Territory in South Bend, filling in when full-time employees take time for vacation and when the department is short on manpower. When he isn’t working, Don also enjoys riding ATVs and his Harley touring bike, camping, and spending time working around the yard and house.
Don has two children. His son, Don Jr., is a junior at Mishawaka High School and his daughter, Taylor, is a Purdue grad who lives and works in Chicago. Don and his wife, Shauna, have been together for 12 years and married for 5. They live in South Bend. Don looks forward to the next 20 years and retiring to a warm climate!
Don is a huge asset to Ancon, its customers, and the community and we are glad to have him as part of our team.
by Ryan Kring | Jun 28, 2017 | Ancon News
Safety is one of Ancon Construction’s top priorities. Our goal is for our employees to come to work and go home to their families. We have an extensive 85+ page safety program to ensure this and it is re-inforced daily on our job sites and in our office. Work is not the only place to remind everyone of safety as we approach the upcoming Fourth of July celebration weekend – fireworks, a backyard barbecue, maybe a trip to the beach. Whatever people have planned, Ancon Construction wants to pass on some of the American Red Cross’s holiday safety tips so we can all enjoy a safe weekend with our family and friends.
FIREWORKS SAFETY The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks show put on by professionals. Stay at least 500 feet away from the show. Many states outlaw most fireworks. If someone is setting fireworks off at home, they should follow these safety steps:
- Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
- Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
- Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
- Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
- Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
- Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
- Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
GRILLING SAFETY Every year people in this country are injured while using backyard charcoal or gas grills. Follow these steps to safely cook up treats for the backyard barbecue:
- Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
- Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
- Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
- Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
- Use the long-handled tools especially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
- Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using grills.
BEACH SAFETY If someone’s visit to the shore includes swimming in the ocean, they should learn how to swim in the surf and only swim at a lifeguarded beach, within the designated swimming area. Obey all instructions and orders from lifeguards. Other safety tips include:
- Keep alert for local weather conditions. Check to see if any warning signs or flags are posted.
- Swim sober and always swim with a buddy.
- Have young children and inexperienced swimmers wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Protect the neck – don’t dive headfirst. Walk carefully into open waters.
- Keep a close eye and constant attention on children and adults while at the beach. Wave action can cause someone to lose their footing, even in shallow water.
- Watch out for aquatic life. Water plants and animals may be dangerous. Avoid patches of plants and leave animals alone.
RIP CURRENTS Rip currents are responsible for deaths on our nation’s beaches every year, and for most of the rescues performed by lifeguards. Any beach with breaking waves may have rip currents. Be aware of the danger of rip currents and remember the following:
- If someone is caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until out of the current. Once free, they should turn and swim toward shore. If they can’t swim to the shore, they should float or tread water until free of the rip current and then head toward shore.
- Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Permanent rip currents often exist near these structures.
Additional water safety tips are available at redcross.org/watersafetytips
SUN PROTECTION Limit exposure to direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15. Reapply sunscreen often. Remember to drink plenty of water regularly, even if not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. Protect the eyes by wearing sunglasses that will absorb 100 percent of UV sunlight. Protect the feet – the sand can burn them and glass and other sharp objects can cut them.
During hot weather, watch for signs of heat stroke—hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; rapid, shallow breathing. If it’s suspected someone is suffering from heat stroke:
- Call 9-1-1 and move the person to a cooler place.
- Quickly cool the body by applying cool, wet cloths or towels to the skin (or misting it with water) and fanning the person.
- Watch for signs of breathing problems and make sure the airway is clear. Keep the person lying down
Have a safe weekend and enjoy fellowship with friends and family!
-Ancon Construction
Source: http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-Issues-Safety-Tips-For-4th-of-July-Holiday
by Ryan Kring | Dec 16, 2016 | Ancon News
Construction Team Grows!
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!
by Ryan Kring | Nov 16, 2016 | Ancon News
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.
