ESI Named ENR’s Intermountain Contractor of the Year

The Engineering News-Record (ENR), the construction industry’s premier trade publication and information resource, recently named ESI as the Intermountain West’s contractor of the year. The announcement recognizes the Idaho-based builder’s standout performance across Utah, Idaho, and Montana and credits ESI with “remaining employee-focused, privately held, and invested in the communities where it builds.”

The honor caps a record year for ESI, which generated more than $850 million in Mountain States revenue alone in 2025 while making significant investments in its professional development and training programs. Among the projects that helped earn this recognition are the College of Western Idaho Health and Science Building in Nampa, office and parking structures at Micron’s global headquarters in Boise, and the Chancery, a major urban redevelopment project in downtown Boise.

President and CEO Neil Nelson credited the milestone to the people behind it:

“Being named ENR’s Intermountain Contractor of the Year makes me very proud, and the credit belongs to our team members, our partners, and the customers who trusted us with some of the region’s most complex and challenging projects this year. We’ve built ESI around disciplined, sustainable growth, and a First Choice Service mindset that our team brings to every single project. This recognition is a reflection of that approach, and we’re grateful to everyone who’s been part of it.”

Chief People Officer Dallis Fontenot echoed that sentiment, pointing to ESI’s unique culture and staying true to its core values:

“What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects the strength of our people and the culture they’ve built together. At ESI, we’ve worked intentionally to create an environment where talented individuals can grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact. The dedication, collaboration, and commitment our team members bring to each other, our customers, and our communities every day are what make achievements like this possible. I’m incredibly proud of our team and grateful for the role they play in making ESI a truly exceptional company.”

A full feature on ESI will appear in the August 24 print issue of ENR Mountain States and Southwest, alongside the publication’s annual ranking of the top construction firms across the eight-state Mountain States and Southwest region.

Congratulations to the entire ESI team on this well-deserved recognition!