EV Construction

We are beyond honored to have been named the 🏆 Michigan Contractor of the Year 🏆 for the third time by the American Subcontractors Association of Michigan. Check out this video to learn more about the award and how we've used the evaluation criteria to become a better company overall. Read more at https://bit.ly/EVMCOY

"I started out working on a blueberry farm for a summer during high school. When I wasn’t harvesting berries, I worked in the shed sorting bad berries and packaging. The next summer I got a job with a residential builder. I worked with him for a couple of months and then I got a job with a residential concrete company. I really enjoyed working with the builder and concrete company, so I signed up for a build trades class at the Careerline Tech Center. Toward the end of my Junior year of high school, the building trades teacher asked me if I was interested in working for a commercial construction company. I said yes and I got hired at Elzinga & Volkers Construction Services (Now EV Construction). I started out working on the concrete crew and I was on the crew for 11 years. I became a Field Manager in 2008 and I have now been one for 16 years. Some of my favorite projects over the years were working on Haworth’s Locker Room and Fitness Center renovation and Corpus Christi Catholic School. One of my favorite things about my job is every day is a new challenge and new opportunities. One of the great things about the construction industry is there are many different fields to choose from and all fields have many opportunities for growth and advancement." - Jereme Reeths; Field Manager Consider donating to West Michigan Construction Institute's "Tools for Tomorrow" campaign by going to http://rb.gy/qg49md. All donations made between October 7th-13th will be doubled thanks to a generous match from Wolverine Worldwide & Cat Footwear! #MyHardHatStory #SupportWMCI #CareersInConstruction #Construction

"As a child, I spent summers working on job sites with my stepfather, usually helping with tasks like sweeping and cleaning. Though I didn’t realize it then, these experiences planted the seed for my eventual return to construction. After spending time as a military medic and a teacher, in 2022, I transitioned back to the industry as an onsite supervisor for a residential roofing company. This role allowed me to support my family and introduced me to the dynamic world of construction, where I quickly learned the importance of teamwork, communication, and relationship building. Since then, I have stayed in the industry and have moved over to commercial construction working in preconstruction. I have worked as an estimator and most recently an assistant preconstruction manager at EV. I have come to learn in recent years that construction is more than building structures. It is an industry that is “built around people” when done correctly." - Andrew Colbeck; Assistant Preconstruction Manager Consider donating to West Michigan Construction Institute's "Tools for Tomorrow" campaign by going to http://rb.gy/qg49md. All donations made between October 7th - 13th will be doubled thanks to a generous match from Wolverine Worldwide & Cat Footwear! #MyHardHatStory #SupportWMCI #CareersInConstruction #Construction

"I’ve been in construction for 29 years full-time. However, I’ve been on job sites with my dad since I was about 8. I am a third-generation carpenter and my dad taught me how to build houses when I was a teenager. I started at EV as a carpenter - installing doors, hardware, casework, and anything else needed onsite. EV’s Chief Operating Officer, Tony Roussey, asked me if I would be interested in instructing at the West Michigan Construction Institute. He thought it would be a good fit so I accepted to challenge. This is now my third year instructing at WMCI. I teach Core and General Carpentry, a residential-focused course. The best part of teaching at WMCI is seeing the students’ progress. Some students start never having used many of the tools needed to be a carpenter and are nervous about using tools like the table saw or nail gun. After some instruction and hands-on learning the comfort level increases and noticeably students start using tools properly and with more confidence. Many factors need to be considered when choosing a career. Like wages/salary, job demand, job satisfaction, and opportunity for growth or promotion. Carpentry meets all those considerations with room to spare! I’ve seen the demand for good carpenters throughout my career (there is a major housing shortage) It’s also one of the most satisfying aspects of the trade when you start with a slab of concrete and when you’re finished you either have a new home or building for the owner to enjoy for decades. You also develop a skill that can be used in your personal life, on your own home, heck, you can even build your own home if you want! Carpentry is a skill you have with you for life." - Justin Gould; Field Manager Consider donating to West Michigan Construction Institute's "Tools for Tomorrow" campaign by going to http://rb.gy/qg49md. All donations made between October 7th - 13th will be doubled thanks to a generous match from Wolverine Worldwide & Cat Footwear! #MyHardHatStory #SupportWMCI #CareersInConstruction #Construction

"Construction runs in my family. Growing up I was able to help work on multiple home builds, from picking up trash to knocking form tabs off the foundation walls, I loved being around it. In the summer of 2008 going into my senior year of high school, I had the opportunity to work as summer help for Elzinga & Volkers (now EV Construction) at Maple Creek, and at that point in time I knew I wanted to work in the industry. After high school, I attended GRCC, then transferred to Ferris State to complete my degree in Construction Management. During college, I was able to take on many different roles working in the summers. From general laborer, concrete laborer, steel laborer, project management intern, and field manager intern, I loved the new challenges each role provided me. Upon graduation, I began my full-time career as an Assistant Project Manager. Fast forward 10 years and now I am a Project Manager who has had the opportunity to work on some of EV's biggest projects to date. From laborer all the way up to Project Manager, my path was probably a little less traditional than most in my position. I was able to grow up in my career over the past 15 years and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything." - Nick Novakoski; Project Manager Consider donating to West Michigan Construction Institute's "Tools for Tomorrow" campaign by going to http://rb.gy/qg49md. All donations made between October 7th - 13th will be doubled thanks to a generous match from Wolverine Worldwide & Cat Footwear! #MyHardHatStory #SupportWMCI #CareersInConstruction #Construction

Congrats and thank you to Mike for 10 years with EV! 🥳

"Before working in construction, I worked in the trucking, bicycling, and small equipment repair industries. I listened to my friends and family and joined EV via a great connection with the company. I love the challenges and successes that Firestop brings to the construction site. It is difficult work, complex, and engaging, and it also brings me in contact with most of the other trades, which is great for making new friends and relationships. I very much appreciate the heart that EV brings to the table, with respect toward its employees, the respective trades, and the clients. It’s refreshing and energizing to work with a group of individuals who walk and breathe, ‘Built Around People’." - Mark Kappel; Firestopping Consider donating to West Michigan Construction Institute's "Tools for Tomorrow" campaign by going to http://rb.gy/qg49md. All donations made between October 7th - 13th will be doubled thanks to a generous match from Wolverine Worldwide & Cat Footwear! #MyHardHatStory #SupportWMCI #CareersInConstruction #Construction

"My hard hat story started before I was even old enough to work. My childhood babysitter worked in commercial construction fabricating and erecting steel for EV, known back then as Elzinga and Volkers. My dad has been in the residential roofing and framing industry ever since I can remember as well. I've always been fascinated by the end product of structures and wanted to know the processes and techniques to build them. Due to the constant exposure to both environments, I knew construction was the direction I was headed. Fresh out of high school, I moved to Traverse City and started attending Northwestern Michigan College's Construction Management program in 2018. Shortly after classes began, I was hired by Paul Maurer General Contracting as a framer building huge, custom homes. After finishing the program, I decided to move back to the Grand Rapids area in 2020. I knew I was ready to take the next step into commercial and EV was the only option for me. I was hired on as a general laborer and quickly became the carpenter I still am today. It’s been nothing short of a blessing to see the progress EV has made as well as the industry itself. If you’ve got determination and the will to absorb as much knowledge as possible, there is no limit to how far you can go in the construction industry. The only catch is finding the position/trade that makes you feel most at home." - Kaileb Ferris; Carpenter Consider donating to West Michigan Construction Institute's "Tools for Tomorrow" campaign by going to http://rb.gy/qg49md. All donations made between October 7th - 13th will be doubled thanks to a generous match from Wolverine Worldwide & Cat Footwear! #MyHardHatStory #SupportWMCI #CareersInConstruction #Construction

"I worked as a Project Manager at Tommy Express Car Wash Corporate, and during my time there I worked with the general contractors to coordinate the build-out of a Tommy’s. I put a hard hat on for the first time stepping onto an EV Construction site during the build in Jenison, Michigan. I was fascinated by the construction build and culture of EV throughout my time working with them. Fast forward to years later and I have now been working at EV for one and a half years building Tommy’s Express Car Washes as a Construction Project Manager. I am proud to work for a company that values my safety and the safety of all those who work on the sites." - Nicole Howell; Project Manager Consider donating to West Michigan Construction Institute's "Tools for Tomorrow" campaign by going to http://rb.gy/qg49md. All donations made between October 7th - 13th will be doubled thanks to a generous match from Wolverine Worldwide & Cat Footwear! #MyHardHatStory #SupportWMCI #CareersInConstruction #Construction

"I have been in the construction industry for 9 years, starting as a junior in high school during summers and part-time during school. I started in construction working for my dad framing houses, doing demo work, and sweeping job sites. Anything that needed to get done on a project! Since working for my dad in the field, I knew I wanted to be in construction. I enjoy seeing buildings get constructed from the ground up, and construction management gave me the right path to do this. This led me to Ferris State University to get my construction management degree. Following school, EV Construction gave me the perfect opportunity to apply this skillset I have learned and to be able to do it with great people. Over the past 3 years, I've had the honor of using my vocation to work in hospitals and other healthcare buildings to provide environments used to help people." - Judd VanBergen; Project Manager Consider donating to West Michigan Construction Institute's "Tools for Tomorrow" campaign by going to http://rb.gy/qg49md. All donations made between October 7th - 13th will be doubled thanks to a generous match from Wolverine Worldwide & Cat Footwear! #MyHardHatStory #SupportWMCI #CareersInConstruction #Construction