Loven Contracting moves forward as an employee-owned company led by Jon Hansen.
Loven Contracting’s succession plan began eight years ago. Two years ago, Loven stepped out of the lead role after 40 years guiding the company’s direction and growth. With a new vision of time spent with grandchildren and his Yuma farm, he leaves behind a legacy of high ethical standards, quality construction, valued relationships, an unwavering commitment to workplace safety, community service and iconic buildings across Arizona.
His proudest moment as CEO was watching the team he built deliver the award-winning Downtown Connection Center, which opened in June as the new home of Mountain Line and stands as a state-of-the-art stone and timber monument to sustainability and craftsmanship.
“That was a great project to end on,” he said. “We are very proud to be a part of it and thankful to Mountain Line for the opportunity to be involved in the revitalization of the downtown. It’s one of those projects that can take an area to that next step.”
“Partnering with Mike Loven and the team at Loven Contracting to deliver our Downtown Connection Center project was an incredible experience, and the end result is a beautiful building that serves as a warm welcome to downtown Flagstaff,” said Mountain Line CEO and General Manager Heather Dalmolin. “Mike’s contributions to this community will live on in our building and countless others around town.”
Loven’s journey has not always been smooth and easy. After graduating from Flagstaff High School, he left Northern Arizona University just six weeks into his classes. “It wasn’t going to be sustainable for another three and a half years,” he decided, so he went to work as a carpenter.
“I got fired in 1982,” he said. “I had it coming.”
From there, he went to First Interstate Bank, moved his $5,000 from savings into checking and started his construction company. “We did a lot of small jobs and home remodels. Not all of them made money.”
In 1985, the company incorporated as a six-person operation. The next year, they remodeled the Northern Arizona Orthopaedic office. Since then, Loven Contracting has survived seven recessions and one global pandemic. “My favorite part of having a construction business is staying in business,” he laughed.
All joking aside, “It’s been a lot of fun,” he said. “Getting to meet people and know people is the best part.”
Loven’s appreciation for others developed while working in construction as a young man in Phoenix for a year. “My mentor, Vernon Christensen, taught me the value of quality and ethics. That really was critical, and I loved working for Vernon. I’d probably still be there, but I didn’t like Phoenix. It wasn’t the heat that bothered me, it was too many people.”
Today, he offers this advice: Find a good mentor to teach you what you need to learn correctly and thoughtfully.”
“That’s one of the great things about Mike,” said Jon Hansen, Loven Contracting’s president and successor. “He is a mentor to so many of us.”
Hansen moved to Flagstaff from Casa Grande in 2003 to attend NAU. After graduating as a civil engineer, he worked for Plateau Engineering and designed two Coconino County parks: Raymond in Kachina Village and Cataract in Williams. Loven Contracting built them both.
“I developed a relationship with Mike and really admired and respected the values he held for himself and the company,” said Hansen, who joined Loven Contracting in 2012. “It’s been fantastic and has worked out far better than I ever could have imagined or planned for. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities that have come up and looking forward to the next several decades.”
Loven says his greatest satisfaction is the successful execution of the commercial construction company’s succession plan. As a result, Loven Contracting is now 100% employee-
owned, with a leadership and management team led by Hansen.
“The vision is to keep moving forward, continuing with the foundation that’s been set, knowing who we are and who we want to be with a fundamental focus on having good relationships and quality construction projects,” said Hansen.
“It’s a mix of emotions after 40+ years,” said Loven. “It has been a privilege to run a company that has created value for our clients and opportunities for the Loven Team. We’ve had a lot of great projects, but it’s time to pass along new opportunities to the next generation.”
Greatest Superpower
Metal flashing details.
Best Advice Ever Received
You are never too big to fail.
Favorite Place to Visit
Ireland or any place with a golf course.
Guilty Pleasure
A Michelin star restaurant.
Who I Admire
My grandfathers for their wisdom and guidance. FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
Courtesy Photo: Mike Loven has a reputation for construction excellence, a value he instills throughout the company.
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