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Congdon Construction, Inc.
Niche Market Wins Big in Bush Alaska
By Rachael Kvapil
Congdon Construction, Inc. is currently building a new church in Chefornak for the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. President and owner Doug Congdon says it is one of his favorite projects so far.
The Associated General Contractors of Alaska logo
Member Profile
Congdon Construction, Inc.
Congdon Construction, Inc. building a new church in Chefornak for the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks
Congdon Construction, Inc. is currently building a new church in Chefornak for the Catholic Diocese of Fairbanks. President and owner Doug Congdon says it is one of his favorite projects so far.
Niche Market Wins Big in Bush Alaska
By Rachael Kvapil
D

oug Congdon, president and owner of Congdon Construction, Inc. understands what it takes to run a generational company. He and his sister, Katalla Fairbanks, both of Fairbanks, took the reins in 2010 from their father, Carl “Jim” Congdon. They know the best way to further grow the company is through recruiting fresh talent and new ideas. Though Congdon Construction is a smaller company, they have developed a well-defined niche market that has led to success in rural Alaska.

“We mostly construct housing units, commercial buildings, and civil projects in remote locations,” says Doug Congdon. “We fully understand the logistical challenges of working with barges, air freight, and trucking to get materials and crews to rural communities on time and in a cost-efficient manner.”

Most Congdon Construction projects are ground-up developments that include civil, framing, roofing, siding, and finishing. Congdon says these buildings often take the form of teacher housing, churches, cabins, and education facilities. Among Congdon’s favorite projects are the church they are currently working on in Chefornak, dirt-work previously completed at Eielson Air Force Base, and just about any projects they have done in Wales, Savoonga, and Elim.

Steady Growth
Carl Congdon moved to Fairbanks and started the company in 1968. He ran it for thirty years as he pursued a love of mining in rural Alaska. Doug Congdon grew up in the construction industry, working at times for his father and later for several contractors in the Lower 48 and northern Alaska.

He says the company has grown gradually every year for the last ten years, to the point that he is able to manage daily operations without having to also be at a job site. Congdon currently has four full-time employees and anywhere from thirteen to twenty part-time and seasonal employees. His sister, Katalla Fairbanks, is the chief financial officer and corporation secretary/treasurer and works remotely from her home in the Lower 48.

“We have about five or six seasonal employees who have worked with us for twenty years,” says Congdon. “Otherwise, we hire locals in villages when possible.”

Remote Work Requires Logistic Talent
Logistical problems are a reality for almost every construction company in Alaska, more so when nearly every project is in a rural community. Congdon says it is a detailed process to order materials from the Lower 48, arrange for shipment on one of the few barges traveling to the most remote locations, and then ensure further transport for the goods to their final destination.
Doug Congdon, president and owner of Congdon Construction, Inc.
Doug Congdon, president and owner of Congdon Construction, Inc., is the second generation to run the company, along with his sister. Over the years, Congdon Construction has developed a niche market with many of their projects completed in rural Alaska.
The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the challenge as the supply chain and material shortages have disrupted timelines. To counter this, Congdon says his company has started ordering materials earlier than before or substituting items when possible. Most importantly they remain transparent with their customers about the status of the project and any potential delays. Congdon takes pride in his long-term relationship with his clients and says it has resulted in a solid reputation for his company.

Jacob Baugh, facilities and construction manager for the Catholic Bishop of Northern Alaska, Diocese of Fairbanks, says Congdon Construction has gone “to the ends of the earth” to work on two church projects in Chefornak and Koyukuk.

“Congdon is great at managing logistics and produces high quality work,” says Baugh. “They are also flexible to any necessary changes.”

Gary Eckenweiler, director of facilities and maintenance for the Bering Strait School District, says Congdon Construction is well-suited for projects in their part of Alaska. Over the years the company has built thirty new teacher housing units for the Bering Strait district.

“They have a good-quality product and are good about staying on budget,” says Eckenweiler.

Choosing AGC
Congdon Construction has been an Associated General Contractors of Alaska member since April 2011. Congdon says he appreciates AGC’s efforts to advocate for higher wages and provide information on innovations that affect the industry. Several times, he’s used their boilerplate forms for writing contracts and other administrative work.

“I worked with other AGC companies while apprenticing in the Lower 48. So, when the opportunity to sign up came around, I decided it would be a good choice for us.”

As for the future of Congdon Construction, Congdon says they’ll continue along the same trajectory, taking on larger, more intricate projects when they can. They will also continue to recruit additional employees willing to learn from his existing team. When asked if his own children might eventually become the next generation of owners, Congdon says it isn’t yet in the plan, but it’s always a possibility. Currently, his daughter is studying civil engineering and his son helps on jobs when possible.

Rachael Kvapil is a freelance writer who lives in Fairbanks. All photos provided by Congdon Construction, Inc.