Cornerstone named Contractor of the Year for 2004: Cornerstone is well respected by the industry and is honored for its outstanding work.

• Author: Martin, Gary L.
• Position: Building Alaska

3. John Eng and Jaysen Mathiesen have had a successful business partnership for more than a decade. During that time, the Eng-Mathiesen team has succeeded in the immensely competitive construction industry. In fact, their Anchorage-based company, Cornerstone General Contractors, did so well last year that it has been named Contractor of the Year for 2004 by the Alaska Business Monthly magazine.

Cornerstone came into existence in 1993, but prior to that Eng and Mathiesen worked together at another contracting company in Alaska. While they are general contractors, Cornerstone specializes in commercial and industrial buildings. It does both government and private work.

GOOD START FOR 2005

Last year Cornerstone earned $28 million in revenue and, according to Eng, they expect to do about the same in 2005. The company has about 60 employees at any one time, but that changes with the workload and the types of projects on which the company is working.

This year they are starting off with several projects related to Providence Hospital. Over the years, Cornerstone has been selected to do many construction projects for the hospital, according to Dale Rahn, the senior construction manager for Providence Hospital. He said, "We really respect Cornerstone for all the work it has done for us; over the past five years alone they have done at least 11 projects that I can think of. Right now they are working on three more.

"They've always demonstrated superior teamwork and exceptional workability," Rahn said. "Besides that, they have always provided us with a top-quality work and are true professionals in everything they do. John and Jaysen are always willing to go that extra mile, and the company has an excellent safety record. I'm sure they are well respected in the industry."

AGC AWARD

Cornerstone also completed a $13.8 million barracks facility at Fort Richardson, and later this year, they will start on a hanger at Elmendorf Air Force Base. That hanger will support the C5 cargo aircraft that will be coming to the base in the future.

"We have become more competitive with the sophisticated types of projects," said Eng. "We have the technical ability and management skills to provide the quality of work that our owners demand, especially in projects for the medical and military industries, particularly airplane hangers."

Cornerstone works on educational projects, too. For example, they recently completed the prize-winning University of Alaska Anchorage and...