This month, EV Construction proudly marked a major milestone—80 years of building spaces that matter and relationships that last. What began in 1945 as Elzinga & Volkers, a local West Michigan homebuilding company, has evolved into a nationally recognized construction management firm with deep roots, bold vision, and a passion for people-first leadership.
To celebrate this legacy, our team came together on May 9th for an unforgettable evening at our headquarters in Holland, Michigan. It was a time to reflect on where we’ve been, celebrate the people who got us here, and look ahead to the bright future we’re building—one project, one partnership, one community at a time.
A Look Back: Eight Decades of Milestones
EV’s journey started small, but quickly grew thanks to trusted partnerships and an unwavering commitment to quality. By the 1960s, we had helped launch GMB Architects and were delivering major projects like the Parke-Davis pharmaceutical plant and local power stations.
Over the following decades, EV became a go-to partner for companies like General Mills, Kraft Foods, Meijer, and Target. The 2000s marked our expansion into healthcare and senior living, with standout projects like Maple Creek and Zeeland Hospital helping to set the tone for our work today.
Today’s Impact: Building with Purpose
Our current portfolio includes some of the region’s most impactful work in healthcare and senior living. We’re proud to be part of projects like:
- Southridge Behavioral Hospital
- Resthaven’s The Farmstead
- Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health
And that’s just the beginning. We’re also planning and building with outstanding partners like Porter Hills, Friendship Village, Corewell Health, Holland Hospital, and Holland Home. We’re working across many other commercial building markets with projects underway with Wolverine World Wide, Quality Car Wash, and more across the country.
Powered by People (and Ice Cream)
President and CEO Mike Novakoski summed it up best:
“What’s allowed us to thrive is simple—we’ve always believed in putting people over profits.”
That philosophy has not only shaped our culture, but inspired a new leadership book—Right Brain Justified, co-authored by Mike and Rob Dwortz of Become Unmistakable. The book dives into how brain science and emotional intelligence can create unmistakable leaders and thriving workplaces.
To top off our anniversary celebration, we unveiled the newest addition to the EV fleet: EV Sweets and Treats: Amped Up—a fully electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz turned ice cream truck. It joins our original, vintage mail truck known as the Founders Express. These trucks bring smiles (and scoops!) to job sites and community events, blending our love for innovation with a strong sense of tradition.
What’s Next?
We’re also excited to announce the launch of our newly redesigned website: www.ev.construction. It’s packed with updated project profiles, behind-the-scenes stories, and our new “Built Around People” company video.
And with growing work in Florida and beyond, we’re continuing to expand our reach while staying grounded in the values that have guided us for 80 years.
As Mike puts it:
“Looking back, we’re incredibly proud of where we came from. Looking ahead, we’re just as excited about where we’re going.”
Here’s to the next 80 years—still built around people.
RELATED NEWS
