Calvin T. Ladner posthumously awarded the 2020 Courage in Leadership Award

Zweig Group, a leading provider of advisory services, research, and education for the AEC industry, announced that Calvin T. Ladner, late President and CEO of LJA Engineering, was awarded the 2020 Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award, an award recognizing outstanding leaders in the AEC industry. Calvin spent 23 years in the top leadership position and grew LJA to over 1,200 employees in 36 offices in three states and to be the 65th largest engineering design firm in the United States. Calvin Ladner suddenly passed away in August due to complications from COVID-19. “Calvin set an example of courageous leadership that was inspiring to me and to many others in the industry. He exemplified all the qualities that this award stands for and his tremendous legacy will live on,” said Chad Clinehens, Zweig Group President and CEO. “We selected Calvin as our 2020 Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership award winner in June and were secretly working with a small group of his closest team members to make an announcement video, planning to surprise him, and unveil his award at our Elevate AEC Conference and Awards Gala this month. His unexpected death from complications due to COVID was devastating and makes this award presentation the most poignant, yet challenging, in our company’s history.” The award was presented to Calvin’s family at LJA’s corporate office in Houston. The award ceremony was broadcasted live to a large audience as part of Zweig Group’s Elevate AEC Virtual Experience. This is the eleventh time the award has been conferred. The award was inspired by Jerry Allen, mentor to Zweig Group founder Mark Zweig, who was the innovative and inspirational leader that lead Fort Worth based Carter & Burgess. Under Jerry’s direction, the company grew from 200 employees and $17 million in revenue in 1988, to 2,300 employees and $381 million in revenue by 2002. In his honor, The Jerry Allen Courage in Leadership Award is given each year to someone working in an AEC firm who has demonstrated in a unique way, personal courage in their actions that have impacted their firm. “Calvin was a courageous leader who impacted many lives over several decades as President and CEO of LJA” said Mark Zweig, Zweig Group Founder and Chairman. “The growth he created at LJA provided tremendous opportunities for so many, and his legacy truly lives on in the employees and clients at LJA. This shocking loss demonstrates how serious this pandemic is and what it can take from us.” For more information on this award, click here: https://www.zweiggroup.com/awards