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January 28, 2013

Dickson, Crutcher receive lifetime achievement award

By JERRY VANDERWOOD
AGC of Washington

The AGC of Washington presented James Crutcher, chairman emeritus at Lease Crutcher Lewis, and William Dickson, president of the Dickson Co., with its Lifetime Achievement Award during the association’s Jan. 25 annual convention.

The awards were announced by Steve Isenhart, 2012 AGC of Washington president and Tiger Construction president.

“These awards honor decades of positive contributions to the industry and AGC by Jim and Bill,” said Isenhart. “Both are respected contractors that have provided distinguished service for the industry.”

Crutcher

Jim Crutcher

Jim Crutcher joined his firm in 1957 and began his career working on the construction of Seattle’s Lincoln High School. In 1983, he became the third president of the then-Howard S. Lease Construction Co. Crutcher led the company’s expansion into Alaska and Oregon and gained a reputation for construction excellence and strong leadership. Among his favorite projects is Seattle’s Second & Seneca building, which in 1991 began Lease Crutcher Lewis’ high-rise construction work.

In 1981, Crutcher served as president of the Seattle Chapter AGC. Over the years he has been active in AGC at the state and national level in many ways, serving as a member of the AGC of Washington’s board and AGC of America’s executive committee, chairing the chapter’s labor committee, and playing a major role in the construction of the AGC Building.

Crutcher was inducted into the University of Washington’s inaugural Construction Hall of Fame in 1995.

Perhaps his most personally rewarding involvement has been as a long-time supporter of the AGC of Washington Education Foundation, for which Crutcher is an emeritus board member and past president.

“We are grateful for the generosity of Jim and Barbara Crutcher to the foundation,” said Elaine Ervin, Moss Adams partner and president of the AGC Education Foundation board. “Jim believes in education and in helping to ensure that future generations have the same opportunities that he has enjoyed in the construction industry.”

Ervin notes that Crutcher is such an advocate for giving back to the industry that it was only fitting that Barbara and their children — Dr. Jim Crutcher Jr., Carey Crutcher Smith and Page Crutcher — honored him by establishing the James P. Crutcher Endowment, which is provides scholarships to students pursuing a degree in construction.

Dickson

Bill Dickson

Bill Dickson joined his father’s construction firm, Lige Dickson Co., as a bulldozer operator. Dickson helped Lige expand and diversify what had been an earthmoving and utility construction firm by adding demolition and a gravel pit operation. Dickson became president in 1971 and his firm is now known as the Wm. Dickson Co.

Many construction firms are distinguished by what they have put in place, and the Dickson Co. is no exception. Dickson built several sections of the region’s interstate system, including the grueling Interstate 90 Snoqualmie Pass segment. But under Bill’s leadership, his company is also notable for what is no longer in place: Dickson Co. has demolished more structures than any other contractor in the state’s history. The structures safely demolished by Dickson range from more than 1,000 buildings on Joint Base Lewis-McChord to an outdated nuclear reactor plant at Hanford.

Dickson is also a leader in the community. An Eagle Scout himself, he was a scoutmaster for several years. Plus, he is very involved with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and has been in numerous leadership positions, including bishop, and is beloved by his church family.

With his late wife, Helen, Dickson has five children, 22 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren.

Having served as president of the Tacoma Chapter AGC in 1964, Dickson has been and remains an active member of the AGC. He has served on AGC’s public works committee and as a trustee for the Operating Engineers Health and Pension Trust. Even at age 93, Dickson regularly attends AGC Southern District dinners, where his jokes are legendary!

Jerry VanderWood is director of communications for the AGC of Washington.


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