“Utah is a unique and special state because of companies like Jacobsen Construction,” said Utah Governor Gary Herbert, who offered remarks at Jacobsen’s 90th anniversary kick-off meeting Jan. 30. “From the magnificent Utah State Capitol to One Utah Center to the Grand America Hotel where we gather today, your fingerprints are everywhere in Utah and beyond. Each of you represent what is great about the state of Utah, and I congratulate Jacobsen on reaching this exciting milestone.”

Nearly 400 Jacobsen employees, guests and dignitaries—including Governor Herbert, Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker and Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Lane Beattie—gathered at the Grand America to kick off Jacobsen’s year-long celebration of Building Peace of Mind for 90 years in Utah, as well as 35 states nationwide and seven foreign countries.

“If Soren were here, he would be amazed!” declared Ted M. Jacobsen, a former company president whose grandfather, Soren Jacobsen, founded the Salt Lake City construction firm in 1922. “Today this company bears resemblance to the things he felt were most important, and I know he would be quite pleased about that.” Jacobsen was one of 14 members of the Jacobsen family at the event, which featured lunch, live music and a four-tier cake cut by Jacobsen executives and dignitaries.

Jacobsen President & CEO Doug Welling paid tribute to all the members of the Jacobsen “family”—which, as a 100% employee-owned Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP), included nearly everyone in the ballroom.

“We have so much to celebrate this year... one of the achievements I’m most proud of is that we’re all owners in this great company,” Welling expressed. “Each of us literally has a vested interest in our success—which, first and foremost, helps us all genuinely care about each other. Being an ESOP separates Jacobsen from most other general contractors—and makes us the greatest general contractor in the country!”

Governor Herbert also praised Jacobsen’s ESOP status. “It’s remarkable that you are an employee-owned company,” he said. “It ensures that each of you are consistently doing your part as best you can, because each individual’s best efforts benefit all of you as a whole. That is truly a wonderful thing.”

The festivities concluded with a video commemorating Jacobsen’s 90–year legacy and a “family photo” of all Jacobsen employees and their guests.