Ellis new president at Jacobsen

Salt Lake City-based Jacobsen Construction Co.’s board of directors has named Gary Ellis to succeed Douglas Welling as company president. Welling will continue in his role as Jacobsen CEO.

Ellis has been with the Jacobsen for 19 years in various leadership roles, including several years as chief financial officer and most recently as executive vice president of business development and sales.

“With 98 years of excellence to build on, we will continue to hold to the values of safety, a caring culture and a job well done as the ingredients that bind us together,” Ellis said. “I have confidence in this company’s ability to continue ‘Making Life Better’ while providing a world-class experience for our clients.”

“This is a special opportunity to hand over the role of president to someone who possesses the same vision and values that have made this company a top national contractor with such strong trade partner and client relationships,” Welling said. “It’s a change that’s being made with an eye toward a very bright future.” 

Ellis demonstrated leadership abilities as CFO that played a crucial role in driving profitable growth across Jacobsen’s diverse construction markets, Welling said.

“What we do matters,” Ellis said. “I love witnessing the difference that our employees make in our communities every day, and I can’t wait to see how the people of our 100 percent employee-owned company write the next great chapter of the Jacobsen Construction story.”

Founded in 1922 by Soren N. Jacobsen in Salt Lake City, Jacobsen has more than 500 employees. The company has current projects in California, Arizona, Texas, Virginia, Illinois, Missouri, Hawaii and Utah. In 2019, Jacobsen posted revenues of approximately $574 million and has $2.1 billion in the company's future-work pipeline.