Jacobsen names Ellis CEO

The board of directors of Salt Lake City’s Jacobsen Construction Co. Inc. has named Gary Ellis the company’s new CEO. He will fill the dual role of president and CEO upon the retirement of current CEO Douglas C. Welling at the end of the year.

Welling is retiring after 33 years with Jacobsen, including 14 years as company president and the past nine years as president and CEO. This change is the result of Jacobsen’s closely followed leadership succession plan that has been in place for several years, the company said in a statement.

“Gary is very well-prepared for his new responsibilities and brings a clear vision for Jacobsen’s future and has a great team to support him,” Welling said. “I have full confidence and faith in Gary, and I know he feels the same passion I’ve had for Jacobsen’s values and priorities: wowing every client, emphasizing accountability and problem solving in our work, championing employee ownership and empowerment, fostering a culture of caring and jobsite safety and dreaming big about every project’s potential to make our communities better.”

Ellis was named president in June. He has been with Jacobsen for 20 years, previously serving as chief financial officer for six of those years.

“I feel profoundly humbled to be asked to represent all the great people of Jacobsen Construction Co. in this new role,” Ellis said. “I am passionate about the consistently outstanding work of our hundreds of dedicated and talented employees. As Jacobsen continues to seek ways to strengthen its impact on the construction industry through thoughtful innovation, the bedrock principles that have made Jacobsen successful for nearly a century will continue to guide the company’s day-to-day work and its long-term aspirations.” 

Under Welling’s leadership as CEO, Jacobsen’s influence in the industry grew considerably with such landmark projects as the Utah State Capitol restoration and base isolation, City Creek Center in downtown Salt Lake City, Provo City Center Temple restoration and Salt Lake Temple renovation.

“I have immensely enjoyed the work I do, and I have loved working alongside the most outstanding people in the construction industry. I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to work closely with these people, and for the success and value that we have created together,” Welling said. “We have improved peoples’ lives, and the success and happiness of our communities, with every project.”