In December 2006, Farrington Construction, LLC purchased Grand Traverse Construction from Team Elmer’s. Farrington/Grand Traverse Construction was founded as a new company born of two long-time Traverse City-based commercial construction firms that share a belief in quality, safety, value and honesty. We are now Grand Traverse Construction. While our name is familiar, we are truly a new entity focused on a fresh approach to commercial construction – one that delivers long-term value and enduring client satisfaction.

Our strength is in the people who work here, and we achieve success working as a team.  Because we put our own team on the job site, it’s vital that our people are the best at what they do – from the front office to the job site.  Grand Traverse Construction stays abreast of industry trends by continually providing training and professional development  opportunities for our team.  This knowledge translates into leadership in many specialty areas, including green building/LEED® certification, school construction and operations-based solutions for manufacturing facilities.  

When it comes to experience, know-how and depth, it’s pretty hard to beat our bench strength. 

Steve Fournier, President
Prior to the re-formation of Grand Traverse Construction in 2007, Steve spent over 34 years as an owner and Vice President of Operations for Boettcher Masonry, a large masonry contractor with offices in Bay City and Traverse City. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Masonry Institute of Michigan. Steve is also the President and owner of the Traverse City North Stars Junior A hockey club. Junior A Hockey consists of some of North America’s most talented 17 to 20 year old players with the goal of playing college hockey.

Bryan Lawton, Vice President
Bryan has over 19 years experience in the construction business, having owned Farrington Construction prior to the purchase of Grand Traverse Construction. Bryan excels in direct, owner negotiated projects involving challenging applications and value-based construction. He has a substantial background in manufacturing applications and distribution/industrial facilities, serving clients with operations-based solutions to construction challenges. Bryan is active in state and local construction industry organizations, Grand Traverse Hockey Association and many outdoor/wildlife groups.

Chad Fournier, Estimator/Project Manager

Darek Purgiel, Estimator/Project Manager

Chris Weber, Director of Operations

Steve Fleis, Senior Site Superintendent
A lifelong resident of the Traverse City area, Steve specializes in school construction projects. His credits include Leland School, Benzie Central High School Auditorium, Old Mission Peninsula School and Traverse Heights Elementary.

Jesse LaBonte, Senior Site Superintendent

Marty Ross, Site Superintendent
Marty is a skilled specialist in architectural detail, with an emphasis on places of worship. He also is trained in the LEED® green building certification process. Marty was instrumental in the BATA Downtown Transit Center receiving LEED® Gold Certification – the only public transportation facility in Michigan with such distinction.

Brett Brown, Site Superintendent

Jim Cole, Site Superintendent

Deb McQueer, Office Manager
Deb provides impeccable office administration and record keeping, and prides herself on building strong and responsive relationships with clients, sub-contractors and vendors.

Job site safety is our highest priority.  It’s important to you and it’s important to us because we believe that our people are our greatest strength.  Grand Traverse Construction is constantly working to ensure that our worksites are the safest they can be.  Our commitment to safety includes:

• Monthly training conducted by our certified safety consultant.
• Regular worksite inspections conducted by our safety consultant.
• Operating under strict, written safety guidelines.

Annual safety day including CPR training and licensing for all equipment.

We have been a part of the Grand Traverse area community for over 35 years. Whether as a company or as individuals, we support initiatives that help make our community a better place to live. Our areas of community support include:

• Economic Development
• Education
• Youth Athletics
• Health Care
• Community Partnerships
• Human Services

A member of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Grand Traverse Construction is a leader in using environmentally and socially responsible building practices that improve our community’s quality of life. We are committed to the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System. Our work on the Bay Area Transportation Authority Transit Center helped earn it LEED Gold Certification in 2007.

If you are interested in joining the Grand Traverse Construction team, please contact us 231-929-1000 or info@grandtraverseconstruction.com.