Jenny Van Oort

Jenny Van Oort

Jenny joined Fiegen Construction in January of 2007. Her marketing responsibilities include developing and implementing ad campaigns, Facebook and website maintenance, jobsite photos, graphics and print design (brochures, newsletters, flyers, postcards, proposals, etc.) large format print design (jobsite signage, banners, vehicles), promotional material and clothing as well as brainstorming marketing and creative ideas with leadership staff and interview teams. In addition, her human resource responsibilities include new hire orientation, workers comp, safety coordination, employee newsletter, payroll, 401(k) and benefit administration and training events.

Recent posts by Jenny Van Oort

6 min read

Dedicated to Building Tomorrow’s Construction Workforce Today

By Jenny Van Oort on Sep 11, 2020 4:26:48 PM

According to the Associated General Contractors of South Dakota, a commercial construction industry trade group, there are currently 24,000 construction jobs in South Dakota. Those jobs provide an average salary of $45,247 per year, and the current median age of a construction tradesman in South Dakota is 41.

“That last statistic is alarming,” according to Lucas Fiegen, AIA, Vice President of Fiegen Construction. “We already know we have an industry-wide labor shortage, but our current workers are aging out faster than new workers entering the industry.”

Lucas is a third-generation construction professional. An Architect who grew up in Sioux Falls, he has worked in the industry for more than a decade—working, among others, with his father, Jeff, and uncle, Rusty. “I serve on several boards and committees throughout our region and I am seeing all of these organizations naming workforce development a top priority for Sioux Falls and South Dakota,” notes Lucas.

Topics: Sioux Falls Workforce Development
2 min read

Fiegen Builds New Monastery for Perpetual Adoration Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament

By Jenny Van Oort on Sep 25, 2018 10:15:00 AM

Originally from Mexico, the Perpetual Adoration Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament made the Diocese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota their home more than 16 years ago. The Sisters spend their day-to-day lives inside the church, filling their time with prayer, reflection and community support.

Since 2002, they have lived in temporary quarters in the old rectory of the Cathedral of Saint Joseph. The Sisters have accepted new members since joining the Diocese of Sioux Falls and required updated living facilities. The Fiegen Construction team recently constructed a new chapel and monastery, enabling the Sisters to continue their holy work in the community. 

Topics: Religious Construction
6 min read

Case Study: Helping Diamond Mowers Make An Educated Buying Decision

By Jenny Van Oort on Aug 24, 2018 11:08:53 AM

After five years of significant growth, Diamond Mowers needed to accelerate and expand their research and manufacturing capacity. The search for an appropriate facility began and a location in Sioux Falls was being considered. Unsure of the true condition of the potential location, Diamond Mowers contacted Lucas Fiegan, AIA of Fiegen Construction and sought the guidance of their facility assessment services. 

Diamond Mowers, founded in Sioux Falls, South Dakota in 2000, is the leading manufacturer of industrial mowing, mulching, and brush cutting equipment for the municipal, skid-steer, and excavator markets. Its products range from boom mowers and rotary mowers to flail mowers and forestry mulchers. In 2017, Diamond Mowers was included in the Inc. 5000 list which recognizes the country’s fastest growing privately-held companies for excellence in their industry.

Topics: Sioux Falls, South Dakota Facility Assessment Services
5 min read

Honoring South Dakota’s Most Famous Philanthropist: Sanford House

By Jenny Van Oort on Jul 11, 2018 10:10:00 AM

Denny Sanford's name is on buildings all over Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Now, he has a building dedicated to telling his personal story. And, Fiegen Construction is delighted to have built this remarkable structure.

The Sanford House was designed to be a permanent home to capture the spirit and history of T. Denny Sanford and his singular achievements in giving back to the community. Supported by the private philanthropy of donors inspired by Sanford’s generosity, construction of the 18,000-square-foot Sanford House began in October, 2016 and was completed one year later. The total square footage of the building and associated amenities is 57,104 square feet.

The $6 million edifice and grounds today welcome visitors of all ages who are invited to explore dynamic displays and exhibits that illustrate the far-reaching impact of Mr. Sanford’s extraordinary generosity and his commitment to the transformative power of giving.

Topics: New Construction Sioux Falls, South Dakota
4 min read

Fiegen Meets Tight Deadlines for Renovation of Cutler Law’s New Offices

By Jenny Van Oort on Jun 21, 2018 10:15:00 AM

Cutler Law, one of South Dakota’s premier legal firms, recently hosted a wonderful party — the firm’s well-attended ribbon cutting on May 31, 2018. The event, co-hosted by the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, was a celebration of the official opening of the firm’s brand new headquarters on the fourth floor of the recently renovated Equity Trust Building in downtown Sioux Falls.

Located at 140 North Phillips Avenue, the building is a downtown focal point in South Dakota’s largest city. Fiegen Construction was retained for the project, which called for the renovation of 13,575 square feet of office space, including the entire fourth floor plus 1,475 square feet of space on the third floor. The $1 million project (not including flooring and casework) involved extensive interior remodeling and tenant fit-out for the respected law firm.

Topics: Sioux Falls, South Dakota Renovation
4 min read

The Benefits of Butler Buildings: A Q&A With Project Manager Jarrett Hallvin

By Jenny Van Oort on May 15, 2018 9:52:00 AM

Have you ever wondered if a pre-engineered steel building is right for your facility expansion or new construction project? Fiegen Construction is a certified Butler® Builder with Career Builder status. Our clients have experienced the numerous intrinsic advantages of Butler Building Systems. With Butler’s design flexibility, various exterior finish options, and longbay structural systems that create large areas of uninterrupted space to maximize productivity, any industry can benefit from a Butler Building System. We’ve asked Jarrett Hallvin, Project Manager at Fiegen Construction, to better explain the value of partnering with Butler Manufacturing on your next project.

Topics: Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings
2 min read

Is a Pre-engineered Steel Building Right for Your Project?

By Jenny Van Oort on Apr 5, 2018 1:48:00 PM

Over the past 50 years, we have built hundreds of structures—large and small—for manufacturers, commercial businesses, schools, medical facilities, and churches throughout South Dakota. And, because we tend to do more than one job for a client, we have the opportunity to see how well these buildings weather time, heavy use, and our South Dakota climate.

That’s why we made the decision to partner with Butler Manufacturing™ by joining the largest network of construction professionals in the world to provide our clients with the best steel buildings in the industry. We see many advantages to building pre-engineered steel structures, notwithstanding the unmatched durability and affordability that Butler Buildings offer. Throughout every stage of construction and over the entire lifetime of the building, our clients enjoy time- and money-saving solutions by using our design-build services paired with the Butler Building System. Here are just a few of the benefits: 

Topics: Pre-Engineered Steel Buildings Design-Build
2 min read

Match Pointe Tennis Facility Makes USTA’s Top 12

By Jenny Van Oort on Feb 14, 2018 9:27:00 AM

Congratulations to Huether Family Match Pointe on being selected as one of the top 12 tennis facilities in the nation by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Fiegen Construction completed Match Pointe, a 47,000-square-foot indoor tennis facility located in Sioux Falls, in May 2015. Thanks to Superintendent Galen Van de Stroet, Project Manager Jarrett Hallvin, and Architect Koch Hazard, our team was able to complete construction in just 8 months.

Topics: Sports
3 min read

One Factor Influences Construction Costs the Most

By Jenny Van Oort on Jan 17, 2018 10:16:00 AM

There are many factors that influence the cost of construction. Some are obvious: land acquisition, permits and construction costs. Then there are the future costs or life-cycle costs to consider: maintenance, repair, replacement—the cost of keeping the facility and its systems up and running.

Topics: Design-Build
4 min read

Sanford Coyote Sports Center at the University of South Dakota

By Jenny Van Oort on Jan 4, 2018 10:15:00 AM

One of the biggest, most challenging, and rewarding projects for which Fiegen Construction was recently selected is the University of South Dakota’s Sanford Coyote Sports Center.

Fiegen Construction provided construction management services for the $55 million, 185,000-square-foot basketball and volleyball arena addition to USD's existing Dakota Dome in Vermillion, South Dakota.

This massive, high-profile facility, which opened ahead of the 2016-17 athletic season, hosts the men's and women's basketball teams, as well as the volleyball team.

Topics: Construction Management
3 min read

A New $40 Million Headquarters For Gage Brothers

By Jenny Van Oort on Sep 21, 2017 10:14:57 AM

After more than three years in the planning stage, construction has begun on a new headquarters for Gage Brothers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Fiegen Construction will work hand in hand with Gage Brothers on the $40 million facility, which is slated for completion in January 2019.

Topics: Construction Management
1 min read

Fiegen Construction Wins Butler Career Builder Award 2015

By Jenny Van Oort on Nov 1, 2016 1:25:19 PM

Only Butler Builders who have demonstrated total competence in design and construction are eligible for this highest level of affiliation with the Buildings Division.  The Carrer Builder designation is a dynamic association within Butler - the holder of this award must continue to meet high standards of performance in these seven key areas:

Topics: Awards
1 min read

Fiegen Construction Co. 5-Time Award Winner

By Jenny Van Oort on Jan 20, 2014 1:45:00 PM

Fiegen Construction Co. wins the AGC of South Dakota Build America Award for the fifth straight year.  This year, the Build America Award went to Fiegen Construction Co. for the Sanford Pentagon project.

Topics: Awards
1 min read

Growing Beer Distributor Building $7.1 Million Warehouse

By Jenny Van Oort on Apr 16, 2013 3:22:00 PM

Dakota Beverage Co. Inc. is building a nearly 100,000-square-foot warehouse and office that will bring all of its business operations under one roof.

The growing beer distributor has been working out of two locations for the past five years. Its headquarters is at 101 N. Harlem Ave.

Topics: Manufacturing
1 min read

Fiegen Construction Wins Build America Award For 4th Year

By Jenny Van Oort on Dec 21, 2012 3:39:00 PM

Fiegen Construction Co. was honored to receive the Build America Award for the recently completed Sanford Fieldhouse project. The 88,500-square-foot Sanford Fieldhouse includes an indoor soccer pitch, locker and weight rooms, basketball court and baseball facilities, sprint track lanes, a physical therapy facility, as well as the Sanford Health’s sports medicine facilities and offices. Fiegen Construction Co. was selected as the design-build team for the new Sanford Fieldhouse in January of 2012. Construction began in March of 2012 and was completed in August of that year. 

Topics: Sports