Mark Danielson, a company leader and fourth-generation owner, has retired from Larson-Danielson Construction Company.
Food and friendship overflowed as colleagues, family and well-wishers gathered to commemorate Mark’s last day as an active employee. During the party, Tim Larson, immediate-past president of Larson-Danielson, shared some of his memories of Mark’s time with the company.
“When retired in 1992, we hired a facilitator, Steve McClure, to help us figure out how to manage the company. Steve interviewed many of the employees, including superintendents and foremen, to gather their thoughts about us taking over from our fathers,” Larson said. “I remember waiting with anticipation to hear from Steve, and he came back to us and said there was a lot of apprehension among the employees that the ‘kids’ were taking over, and they were concerned for the future of Larson-Danielson.”
According to Tm Larson, “that was kind of a letdown for us, but also a motivator, and we took it to heart not to let them down and to make sure the company prospered to continue to provide them a place to work. Not only did we, the ‘kids’ make it, but the company has grown 40 -50 times the size it was back then and is in great shape with a bright future for everyone working here. Thanks for being a part of that growth and successful continuation of a 114-year-old company.”
Mark, a company leader and fourth-generation owner, is the son of Dan Danielson, a former Larson-Danielson president. He joined the company in 1983, has a business degree from the University of Dayton and is a journey carpenter.
Mark retired as the director of field operations and director of safety. From 1993 to 2022, he was responsible for project supervision assignments, safety, labor assignments, equipment assignments, and vehicle assignments as well as overseeing the supply warehouse and all other related responsibilities in the day-to-day operations of the field.
During his nearly 40-year career with Larson-Danielson, Mark has worked on hundreds of projects and with hundreds of employees. His commitment and dedication to the company and its staff have been distinct and set a standard of leadership to be admired.
“ always shown great compassion and caring for the employees, not only for their safety but for their overall well-being. He has always treated the employees, not as a commodity to accomplish work, but with dignity and respect,” said Larson. “ understood that we are all part of a larger organization and were able to set aside his personal ambitions and always tried to do what was best for the company. Those qualities have helped L-D grow and prosper.”
Mark is the first of the fourth generation of Larson-Danielson leaders to officially retire. As the company transitions to the fifth generation, the impact of the previous generation’s leadership will continue to affect the firm for years to come.
“Mark should be proud of the company, the workforce, and the culture that he helped shape during his career, and that we now trust others to continue for this great organization,” Larson said.
