On December 10, EV Construction hosted a surprise retirement party in honor of Tony Roussey, Chief Operating Officer, celebrating a remarkable career and a lasting impact on the construction industry in West Michigan. EV employees, retirees, trade partners, and Tony’s family gathered to reflect on his leadership, mentorship, and dedication to building both people and projects. The evening was a meaningful tribute to the relationships Tony has built and the influence he has had throughout his career.
Tony’s connection to construction runs deep. As the son of a general contractor, he has dedicated more than 55 years to the industry—18 of those years here at EV Construction. Throughout his tenure as COO and former Safety Director, Tony worked tirelessly alongside staff, clients, architects, and trade partners to deliver successful projects while championing exceptional safety standards and a positive, people-first culture. Under his leadership, EV Construction achieved significant safety milestones, including more than 5,000 days—over 13 years—without a lost-time injury. One of Tony’s most enduring contributions is EV’s Alive365: Safety Week, a program that continues to strengthen safety awareness across the region.
“Tony’s vision for safety, quality, leadership, and education has shaped the culture at EV Construction and influenced our industry in meaningful ways. His commitment to developing people—both on the jobsite and beyond—will continue to guide us long after his retirement.” — Mike Novakoski, President & CEO, EV Construction
Earlier this year, during EV Construction’s 10th Annual Safety Symposium, the Executive Team of EV Construction surprised Tony with the establishment of the Tony Roussey Building Futures Scholarship with an initial $100,000 contribution toward an endowment fund at the West Michigan Construction Institute (WMCI). The announcement marked a meaningful milestone in Tony’s career, recognizing his decades of leadership and unwavering advocacy for continuing education and construction excellence. Created to support scholarships for individuals pursuing careers in construction, the endowment also provides a platform for other construction companies and trade partners to contribute—ensuring Tony’s influence extends far beyond his time at EV Construction.
As a founding board member of WMCI, Tony served as board president in 2024 and continues to make a lasting impact on the organization’s mission to build strong communities by preparing the next generation of construction professionals for lifelong careers.
During his career, Tony has served on various boards and committees, including the ABC Western Michigan Board of Directors, National Safety Council for ABC National, Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, and Clays for Kids Charity Shoot. He is also a graduate of Leadership Grand Rapids and Leadership West Michigan.
Tony’s career is marked by numerous industry honors, including multiple Michigan Contractor of the Year awards, national and regional safety awards, and recognition for his leadership and commitment to excellence. Yet, as Tony often shares, his proudest accomplishments are rooted in the people he has worked with and the communities built together along the way.
While Tony’s day-to-day role may be coming to a close, his influence will continue to shape EV Construction, ABC, WMCI, and the construction industry for generations. We are grateful for Tony’s leadership, dedication, and friendship—an impact beyond measure.
