On Thursday, September 17, the Associated Builders and Contractors Western Michigan Chapter (ABC WMC) hosted its annual Excellence in Construction (EIC) Awards, a celebration of the best in commercial construction and the people who connect, protect, grow, and defend our industry. Each year, professionals from across West Michigan come together to recognize the craftsmanship and dedication of local tradespeople, and this year’s event was one for the books. Literally.
This year marked 40 years of the EIC Awards, and ABC WMC leaned all the way into it with a yearbook theme. The event program doubled as a yearbook, and attendees made their way around the room collecting signatures just like the last day of high school. The night took guests on a trip through the decades, from the ’80s to today, with music, décor, and drinks inspired by each era. Pac-Man, MTV, Tamagotchis, Polaroids, Rubik’s Cubes, Cosmic Brownies, and Saved by the Bell graphics all made an appearance, alongside the movies, music, and fashion trends that defined each generation. It was a fun, nostalgic way to honor four decades of building West Michigan.
EV’s Winning Projects
EV Construction was nominated in multiple categories and is proud to have taken home five awards. Our work on the Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health earned four of them, a reflection of the care, collaboration, and craftsmanship our teams brought to a facility that will serve children and families for years to come.
New Construction – $50 to $75 Million
Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health
Project Managers: Brett Lesiewicz, Judd VanBergen, and CJ Thompson
Superintendents: Ryan Geurink, Joe Shashaguay Jr., and Parker Slagh
New Construction – $5 to $10 Million
City of Grand Rapids – Kendall Street Fire Station
Project Managers: Curt Hielke and Abby Leatherman
Superintendent: Doug Eddy
General Trades – More than $1 Million
Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health
Project Manager: Brian White
Superintendents: Joe Shashaguay Jr. and Garret Veenstra
Interior Finishing – More than $2 Million
Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health
Project Managers: Matt Harburn, Layna O’Connor, and Hannah Thurlow
Superintendents: Ryan Fuller, Ryan Bouman, and Corey Richards
Painting
Pine Rest Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health
Project Managers: Matt Harburn, Layna O’Connor, and Hannah Thurlow
Superintendents: George Martinez, Jenifer Holly, and Rhea Estrada
We were also honored to see our renovation of the Wolverine Worldwide Annex recognized as a nominee in the Renovation/Addition/Tenant Build-Out – $3 to $6 Million category.
Celebrating Alaina Ekdom, Young Professional of the Year Finalist
The recognition didn’t stop at our projects. Alaina Ekdom, EV’s Director of Brand and Experience, was named a finalist for Young Professional of the Year. Alaina has built her career around helping people see construction differently.
From leading EV’s rebrand to creating experiences like our Future Builders event that introduce the next generation to the industry, she brings creativity and purpose to everything she does, opening doors for future leaders and showing just how many opportunities construction has to offer.
Built Around People
Awards like these are a testament to the people behind every project: our project managers, field managers, self-performed trades teams, and trade partners, along with the clients who trust us to bring their vision to life.
Here’s to the next 40 years of excellence in West Michigan construction.
