Communities
that thrive

Architecture that elevates the everyday

Life is great

On a quiet winter day in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Gary Johnson and Lonnie Laffen put pen to paper and drew thousands of people to the Grand Forks County Historical Society. On the blueprint, it looked like a pavilion. But in person, it was a catalyst for growth and connectivity: a landmark for the county to gather for ice cream socials, band concerts, weddings, and of course, to be a part of history.

From that first project in 1989, JLG has also grown from a start-up to a legacy of employee-owners by designing our work and our company to stand the test of time and by driving forward under one purpose: that what we do is more than just a job – it’s about making life better for our clients and communities.

Who are JLG's 220 employee owners?

0 %
Write with their left hand
0 %
Have been with JLG for more than 5 years
0 %
Play a musical instrument
0 %
Are related to another JLGer
0 %
Have volunteered in the community over the past year
0 %
Have run a marathon
0 %
Own more than one flannel shirt
0 %
Have worn a shark costume
0 %
Bike or walk to work on a regular basis

Our company personality

High Performing

We are a company that is driven to succeed and thrives on excellence…we go the extra mile.

Hard Working

We are a company that leans in to challenges and is not easily discouraged; we dig in and get things done.

Humor

We are serious about fun. We love to have a good time; there is a lightness about us that amplifies our outcomes.

Humanity Focused

We care deeply about our world, our communities, and each other.

Humility

We appreciate what we have and do not take it for granted.

Design for Life

At JLG, we inspire and innovate through creative, people-first solutions. We nurture collaborative, supportive, authentic, respectful relationships through clear and honest communication and adaptive decision making. We find new ways to actively engage in and uplift all of our communities — from our professional network to our local neighborhood to our family of JLGers. We take full responsibility for our clients’, firm’s, and Earth’s resources to make smart decisions and mitigate risks for today and tomorrow. And we do right by our clients, our communities, and ourselves.