Nearly 10 years ago, the leadership of JLG Architects took the first steps on a strategic growth path aimed at transitioning the closely held, generalist design studio that co-founder and president Lonnie Laffen recalls “did everything” into a sustainable organization capable of delivering specialized expertise beyond its original Minnesota-and-Dakotas-centric service area.
With the company marking its 30th anniversary in 2019, the plan appears to be paying off, and in a big way. Last year JLG’s revenue for the Colorado, Wyoming and Dakotas area alone topped $33.2 million, nearly double its 2017 performance. But stellar revenue growth was only one of several factors contributing to JLG’s selection as ENR Mountain States’ Design Firm of the Year for Colorado, Wyoming and the Dakotas.