Ellis Construction began in 1932. The company was founded by four Swedish immigrants, Nils Anderson, Helge Carlson, Walfred Olson and Manfred Peterson. Working out of a leased quarry in Ellis, Wisconsin, the four quarried stone to build churches, schools, homes and more.  Their dedication and craft laid the foundation for what would become one of Central and Northern Wisconsin’s most highly regarded general contractors – Ellis Stone Construction Company, Inc.  

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Leadership Through Generations  

Ellis Construction’s evolution has been forged through three generations of leadership.  

Nils Anderson and Helge Carlson continued to advance Ellis Construction through the 1960s. Then, during the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, the second generation, Carl Carlson and Jim Anderson, expanded the company significantly. Jim served as President, and in 2007, Carl sold his shares to his son, Erik Carlson, who became Executive Vice President until 2017. 

In January 2017, after a year-long succession plan, ownership transitioned. Jim sold most of his shares to Erik Carlson and Andrew Halverson, along with Tim Kreft, Patrick Pierce, Brandon Kohls and Steve Chizzo. Erik became President and Principal Shareholder, with Andrew as Executive Vice President & Corporate Secretary, with the others as Directors in their respective fields. In late 2024, the shareholders purchased Patrick Pierce’s stock as he moved on to new opportunities. Every leader has expanded on the values of integrity, quality, safety and teamwork, ensuring our Built Right™ mantra defines not just what we build, but who we are and how we operate. Today, with over 90 years of experience, we blend decades of expertise with innovative craftsmanship to create lasting landmarks for our communities.