It’s International Women’s Day! It also happens to be the National Association of Women in Construction’s WIC (Women in Construction) Week, which was created to support women in the construction industry.
LD has several women in construction and we’re taking this opportunity to highlight these extraordinary employees. We’re also offering women and girls who may be considering a career in construction some industry insights from our experts.
Careers in construction, and careers at LD, span from leaders to laborers, and everything in between. Our women in construction work in a variety of departments and roles. Some of which include architecture and design, accounting, engineering, estimating, project management, marketing, accounting, and in the field.
We asked six of our women in construction to share their experiences and advice on construction careers. The LD employees include:
- Michele Dzielinksi, an estimating assistant with 21 years of construction industry experience
- Sara Hanske, Local 41 Laborer and 11-year construction industry veteran
- Jennifer Medley, a project assistant with 27 years of construction experience
- Gina Merkel, a project engineer with 16 years of experience in construction
- Cassie Phelan, a project engineer and 22-year construction veteran
- Amanda Watson, marketing manager with 17 years of construction industry experience
How would you describe your role?
“Working in the Estimating Department, being basically the first step in obtaining projects is fulfilling. The fact that Estimating, as a team; is able to ‘create’ work for the company and all its employees is very gratifying.” – Michelle Dzielinksi
“I am a project engineer and I assist the project manager with the job. I consider it a position that will help me learn the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of becoming a project manager. I assist with scheduling, submittals and shop drawings, estimating, and coordination between the field superintendent and the in-office project manager.” – Cassie Phelan
“I am the marketing manager for LD and it’s my job to promote the company and its people and to highlight all the amazing things that we’re doing. It’s a very exciting role because I feel like I’m a part of everything, and there is a lot going on!” – Amanda Watson
What is your favorite thing about the construction industry?
“Knowing that I am part of a team that is instrumental in the construction of a new or existing building. I definitely feel a measure of pride when I am out in the community and see a building that LD worked on.” – Michele Dzielinksi
“The excitement of seeing a project go from a hole in the ground to a completed project.” – Gina Merkel
“My favorite thing about the construction industry is that the end result is a tangible product. It starts as an idea for an architect and gets drawn and put on paper. From there, people build something you can see and touch and be proud to say, ‘we built that.’ There are also so many different types of construction projects. You could build a parking lot, a football stadium or a three-story hospital. You’ll never be bored in construction, that’s for sure.” – Cassie Phelan
What challenges have you faced as a woman in construction?
“Like other careers, the biggest challenge is balancing family and the job, and the work required to do your best at both.” – Gina Merkel
“I wouldn’t say I’ve faced many challenges, other than being respected for knowing my job. This is definitely a ‘man’s’ career but has changed dramatically since I first started in the industry in 1996.” – Jennifer Medley
“I’d say my biggest challenge as a laborer is having to prove myself, to prove that I can handle the role. You come across some men that believe women shouldn’t be out in the field and they can be rude. So, in those situations it’s tough mentally.” – Sara Hanske
What’s the most difficult part about a career in construction?
“Being ready for the next challenge that comes your way.” – Gina Merkel
“As a laborer, not knowing if you’ll be working sometimes is the most difficult part of my career. You never know if you’ll be laid off for a week or three months, and you need adjust your lifestyle accordingly. I also think it’s tough going to different jobs and working with new people. I find that tough only because I, myself get nervous that again I have to prove that I can work hard and get the job done to new people.” – Sara Hanske
“Marketing for construction can definitely be difficult at times. There is so much going on day-to-day, it’s hard to keep up with the pace. Trying to keep up with all the projects and their details and making sure I’m promoting as much as possible is a challenge, but it’s never boring.” – Amanda Watson
What is your advice to girls/women interested in pursuing a career in construction?
“If you are looking for a daily changing career then construction is definitely worth it! You’re always learning new technology and helping people understand how projects are built from the ground up. There’s never a dull moment.” – Jennifer Medley
“Do what you love and with hard work the rest will fall into place. Also, it’s good to have a mentor to ask questions, etc.” – Gina Merkel
“Go for it. The construction industry is not what it used to be and certainly not only for men. The percentage of women both in the trades and in the management side is going up. There is potential for large growth in the construction industry as a whole, and women have a lot of opportunities. With more STEM education in grade school and middle schools we’re attracting more women into engineering every day. The trades also realize they need more people and are recruiting more women than ever to work in the construction field.” – Cassie Phelan
Larson-Danielson awarded at annual construction banquet
/in Awards, News /by Amanda Watson“We are extremely honored and humbled to receive these prestigious construction awards from the Construction Advancement Foundation,” said Nick Larson, vice president of Larson-Danielson. “The awards serve as a testament to our incredible team and partners, without whom these achievements would not be possible.”
Founded in 1967, CAF is a regional trade organization for the construction industry which includes more than 500 members across Northwest Indiana. Each year, CAF awards companies that have demonstrated excellence in safety, craftsmanship, teamwork, quality, innovation, consideration for the environment, community support, and training. There were five categories of winning contractors, based on the nature of their services.
Commercial Contractor of the Year
The award for Commercial Contractor of the Year went to Larson-Danielson for work on commercial public and private-sector facilities completed in 2022, including:
Commercial Project of the Year
CAF also gives Project of the Year awards each year across five categories. Nominees are evaluated based on the contractor’s ability to deliver a quality project within the owner’s budget and schedule while exhibiting a firm commitment to safety.
Larson-Danielson was also awarded the Commercial Project of the Year Award for the Northwest Health – La Porte medical office building. The 45,800 square foot, three-story facility is owned by Catalyst Healthcare Real Estate and was designed by Gresham Smith.
The building is multi-tenant medical facility that took approximately 15 months to complete from beginning to end. Construction began with Geopier foundation stabilization in early December 2020 and foundation construction at the end of December.
Site construction included parking for the public and doctors surrounding the new building, and a remote parking lot for additional hospital employee parking across the street. The building was completed and ready for occupancy to begin by the end of December 2021.
The building features a combination of physician offices and other hospital-based services, and is connected to the hospital on the first and second floors. The project was fully completed, and the hospital officially opened operations in the medical office building in January 2022.
Related News
CAF Celebrates NWI’s Top Contractors and Projects – Building Indiana
Construction companies earn honors for performance, safety – Northwest Indiana Business Magazine
Solid Platforms, Hasse Construction, Falk PLI and Cargill among 60 winners of construction awards – MBNC Business Daily News & Updates
60 Companies Honored for Outstanding Performance in Safety and Construction – NewsBreak
Northwest Indiana Business RoundTable Honors Companies for Outstanding Performance – Construction Equipment Guide
Larson-Danielson supports construction education
/in Commercial Office, Leadership, News /by Amanda WatsonLarson-Danielson, Facet Architecture among 2023 Best of Business
/0 Comments/in Awards, News /by Amanda Watson2022 was an exciting yet challenging year for Larson-Danielson, with several projects completed and awarded to the company.
“While there were many rewarding opportunities for us in 2022, being selected as the general contractor for a new residence hall at the University of Notre Dame was certainly one of the highlights,” said Nick Larson, Vice President at Larson-Danielson. “We’ve been fortunate to have a strong relationship with the University over the years, as well as the subcontractors and suppliers we work with and rely upon when developing our bids. We believe that these relationships, along with the hard work and dedication of our own staff in preparing our proposal, is what led to L-D being awarded this project.”
Larson-Danielson has consistently appeared on the Best of Business Awards list since its inception in 2005. This award reflects the firm’s overall goals and approach to future challenges.
“Although there is certainly no shortage of uncertainty for what lies ahead in 2023, we are focused on capturing the right opportunities that will promote further growth for the company and our employees while making sure we continue to provide the quality construction services we have built our reputation on over the past 115 years,” Larson said. “We are excited to be recognized by Northwest Indiana Business Magazine as the best in our industry, and remain committed to the goal of being the best for many years to come.”
Facet Architecture – Best Commercial Architectural Firm
In addition to Larson-Danielson’s Best of Business awards, Facet Architecture, the firm’s in-house architecture and design firm, earned its first award, “best commercial architectural design firm” in Northwest Indiana. Facet Architecture is a growing commercial architecture firm providing interior design and architecture solutions.
“Facet Architecture has been blessed to work with several clients, on multiple projects, over the years. We designed a 3-story medical office building in Michigan City for HealthLinc, a regional community health center, that will allow for expanded service to their clients and the growing needs of the city. This project is currently under construction and will be completed in early 2024,” said Robin Witte, AIA, Facet Architecture’s lead architect. “Another client, The MAAC Foundation, recently celebrated the expansion of their emergency service training campus through the newly designed and constructed Residential Tactical Village. This new area of the campus focused on creating a realistic residential environment for first responders to train in.”
Facet Architecture faced its share of challenges in 2022. Maintaining the highest levels of communication and a dedication to quality helped the firm overcome each challenge successfully.
“Our clients, frequently, have project deadlines that require a quick pace for building design. Our goal is to design a beautiful and functional building for our clients, within their budget and their required timeline needs,” said Witte. “Facet Architecture was able meet these challenges in 2022 by expanding our workforce and working as a team, with our clients, to meet our shared project goals.”
The Best of Business Awards were created to give readers the opportunity to acknowledge local businesses who are excelling in their service to the community. The awards promote excellence in innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership in the business community.
Visit our awards page for a list of other awards and honors.
LD’s Women in Construction Offer Industry Insights
/0 Comments/in LD Team, Leadership /by Amanda WatsonLD has several women in construction and we’re taking this opportunity to highlight these extraordinary employees. We’re also offering women and girls who may be considering a career in construction some industry insights from our experts.
Careers in construction, and careers at LD, span from leaders to laborers, and everything in between. Our women in construction work in a variety of departments and roles. Some of which include architecture and design, accounting, engineering, estimating, project management, marketing, accounting, and in the field.
We asked six of our women in construction to share their experiences and advice on construction careers. The LD employees include:
“Working in the Estimating Department, being basically the first step in obtaining projects is fulfilling. The fact that Estimating, as a team; is able to ‘create’ work for the company and all its employees is very gratifying.” – Michelle Dzielinksi
“I am a project engineer and I assist the project manager with the job. I consider it a position that will help me learn the day-to-day duties and responsibilities of becoming a project manager. I assist with scheduling, submittals and shop drawings, estimating, and coordination between the field superintendent and the in-office project manager.” – Cassie Phelan
“I am the marketing manager for LD and it’s my job to promote the company and its people and to highlight all the amazing things that we’re doing. It’s a very exciting role because I feel like I’m a part of everything, and there is a lot going on!” – Amanda Watson
What is your favorite thing about the construction industry?
“Knowing that I am part of a team that is instrumental in the construction of a new or existing building. I definitely feel a measure of pride when I am out in the community and see a building that LD worked on.” – Michele Dzielinksi
“The excitement of seeing a project go from a hole in the ground to a completed project.” – Gina Merkel
“My favorite thing about the construction industry is that the end result is a tangible product. It starts as an idea for an architect and gets drawn and put on paper. From there, people build something you can see and touch and be proud to say, ‘we built that.’ There are also so many different types of construction projects. You could build a parking lot, a football stadium or a three-story hospital. You’ll never be bored in construction, that’s for sure.” – Cassie Phelan
What challenges have you faced as a woman in construction?
“Like other careers, the biggest challenge is balancing family and the job, and the work required to do your best at both.” – Gina Merkel
“I wouldn’t say I’ve faced many challenges, other than being respected for knowing my job. This is definitely a ‘man’s’ career but has changed dramatically since I first started in the industry in 1996.” – Jennifer Medley
“I’d say my biggest challenge as a laborer is having to prove myself, to prove that I can handle the role. You come across some men that believe women shouldn’t be out in the field and they can be rude. So, in those situations it’s tough mentally.” – Sara Hanske
What’s the most difficult part about a career in construction?
“Being ready for the next challenge that comes your way.” – Gina Merkel
“As a laborer, not knowing if you’ll be working sometimes is the most difficult part of my career. You never know if you’ll be laid off for a week or three months, and you need adjust your lifestyle accordingly. I also think it’s tough going to different jobs and working with new people. I find that tough only because I, myself get nervous that again I have to prove that I can work hard and get the job done to new people.” – Sara Hanske
“Marketing for construction can definitely be difficult at times. There is so much going on day-to-day, it’s hard to keep up with the pace. Trying to keep up with all the projects and their details and making sure I’m promoting as much as possible is a challenge, but it’s never boring.” – Amanda Watson
What is your advice to girls/women interested in pursuing a career in construction?
“If you are looking for a daily changing career then construction is definitely worth it! You’re always learning new technology and helping people understand how projects are built from the ground up. There’s never a dull moment.” – Jennifer Medley
“Do what you love and with hard work the rest will fall into place. Also, it’s good to have a mentor to ask questions, etc.” – Gina Merkel
“Go for it. The construction industry is not what it used to be and certainly not only for men. The percentage of women both in the trades and in the management side is going up. There is potential for large growth in the construction industry as a whole, and women have a lot of opportunities. With more STEM education in grade school and middle schools we’re attracting more women into engineering every day. The trades also realize they need more people and are recruiting more women than ever to work in the construction field.” – Cassie Phelan
Supporting the community for over 100 years
/0 Comments/in History, Leadership, News /by Amanda WatsonFifth generation of Larson-Danielson leaders takes the helm
/0 Comments/in History, Leadership, News /by Amanda Watson2023 marks a major milestone for Larson-Danielson Construction Company. The firm is celebrating 115 years in business and is now under its fifth generation of leadership.
Known as G5, or Generation Five, the company’s leaders include Brian Larson, President; Nick Larson, VP-Business Development; Dave Merkel, VP-Office Operations; Pat Lockwood, VP-Field Operations; and Jeff Jensen, VP-Administration.
Generation Four
Generation Four celebrates L-D’s 100-year anniversary in 1998
The transition began several years ago with Generation Four, including Tim Larson, Terry Larson, Mark Danielson, and Tom Walter, mentoring the G5 partners.
“The process involved handing off responsibilities in steps to get people trained in what they’re doing and then taking over,” Tom Walter, Generation Four member, said. “The thoughtful transition also helps other people in the company become more comfortable with new leaders.”
With four previous leadership transitions under its belt, Larson-Danielson is no stranger to the pitfalls and perils of organizational changes. The firm’s experience and the expertise of its employees and leaders came into play during the latest ownership shift.
G5 leaders
Generation Five
“We’ve been working on a long transition phase that continues through this year,” Generation Five member and President, Brian Larson said. “We’re grateful to have our former executives still on board and monitoring our performance to ensure that we make a smooth transition. We’re an experienced company. We don’t do things rashly. We like to have a steady and stable environment for our workers and for our clients.”
Larson-Danielson is known as an industry leader with a strong culture based on excellence and quality, and a reputation for treating its clients and employees well. Since the first generation of Charles Larson, Emil Danielson and Frank Larson founded the company in 1908, the focus has remained consistent.
“When people want a really well-built building, they come to us,” Generation Four member, Tim Larson said. “The culture of the company, the way we treat our employees, the way our employees work, their belief in the company and their dedication has always been the same.”
The company is driven by its established Core Values which include Safety, Relationships, Responsiveness, Reliability, Quality, Leadership and Value. The firm is among the top general contractors in the State of Indiana, with annual volumes reaching over $90 million and over 200 employees.
Related News
Great News Life – Larson-Danielson Embraces its Fifth Generation of Leaders
Larson-Danielson ranks among best Midwest construction companies
/0 Comments/in Awards, News /by Amanda WatsonMidwest Real Estate News has released its 2022 Best of the Best issue, and Larson-Danielson has made the list of top construction companies.
The annual Best of the Best list highlights the top commercial real estate companies located throughout the Midwest. In addition to construction companies, the issue lists the top-ranked brokerage firms, developers, direct lenders, owners, property management firms, real estate law firms, and financial intermediaries.
Midwest Real Estate News is a bi-monthly publication covering the latest news and trends in commercial real estate throughout 13 states located in the Midwest. Appearing on the list of the best commercial construction companies in the Midwest places Larson-Danielson in an elite group.
A history of excellence
Larson-Danielson Construction has over a century of commercial construction experience. We work hard to instill the core values of our company into every project that bears our name.
Our goal is to produce quality work that is second to none. This ambition is what makes us one of the top contractors in the state of Indiana and throughout the Midwest.
Our team at Larson-Danielson brings the skills and experience that defines excellence in construction. We have been building upon a solid foundation of work since 1908. Our capabilities, commitment, and expertise continue to propel us to the top of the construction industry.
If you’re looking for exceptional value and quality service, Larson-Danielson is the best team for your construction needs. Contact us today to learn more.
Visit our awards page for a list of other awards and honors.
Related Content
Read the full Article
View the online issue
Bid won for University of Notre Dame men’s dormitory
/0 Comments/in Educational, Institutional, News /by Amanda WatsonLarson-Danielson begins new HealthLinc facility in Michigan City
/0 Comments/in Healthcare, News /by Amanda Watson(Michigan City, Ind.) – Larson-Danielson is the design-build contractor for a new 39,000 square foot healthcare facility in Michigan City, Ind. for HealthLinc. The Valparaiso-based community health center held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new clinic on November 28.
The event was attended by U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, HealthLinc representatives, Michigan City Mayor Duan Parry, and representatives from the Economic Development Corporation Michigan City and Ivy Tech Community College. The new facility is located at 200 Alfred Avenue, behind Ivy Tech Community College.
The new clinic, which is expected to open in the first quarter of 2024, features 33 medical exam rooms, 12 dental rooms, two procedure rooms, and a community center. The new location will offer a variety of services, including medical, dental, behavioral health, optometry, chiropractic, obstetrics and pharmaceutical.
“We look to improve the health of our most vulnerable residents,” said Beth Wrobel, HealthLinc CEO. “We are investing more than $15 million into a new state-of-the-art clinic that will respond to the increase in need and ensure health equity is available.”
In addition to traditional medical services, HealthLinc will offer addiction services, a medical-legal partnership, health insurance enrollment assistance, and a community outreach team at the new facility. HealthLinc is also collaborating with Ivy Tech Community College on the new facility and will offer health care students the opportunity for hands-on experience in their fields.
The project team includes Facet Architecture as the architect; Jones Petrie Rafiniski as the civil engineer; Frost Engineering and Consulting as the structural engineer; and Millies Engineering Group as the MEP Engineer.
Related Articles
HealthLinc Expansion Underway – Hometown News Now
New HealthLinc clinic to to expand services, add partnership – LaPorte County Life
HealthLinc Breaks Ground on New Clinic in Michigan City – Building Indiana Business
Facility Services Group completes new orchestra pit for Chesterton High School
/0 Comments/in Educational, Facility Services Group, News /by Amanda Watson