Woodruff Construction is proud to announce that Don Woodruff has been awarded the distinguished Build Iowa Award, at the Master Builders of Iowa Winter Conference. This award recognizes his outstanding contributions to the construction industry, and celebrates Don’s decades-long dedication to innovation, safety, workforce development, and community service.
Growing up in the construction industry, Don followed in the footsteps of his father, Leonard Woodruff, who co-founded Woodruff Construction in 1956. Over the past 35 years, Don has played a pivotal role in expanding the company beyond its Fort Dodge home office to four additional regions across Iowa. His leadership has not only fueled company growth but has also significantly shaped the industry through his advocacy and service.
Don has been an active leader in numerous industry organizations, including the CIRAS Advisory Council, Iowa Lean Consortium, and the Construction Financial Management Association. In 2019, he served as Chairman of the Board for Master Builders of Iowa (MBI) and holds a DBIA certification, reflecting his dedication to advancing best practices in construction.
Among his many accolades, Don has been recognized by his alma mater, Florida Institute of Technology, with the Outstanding Service Award (2009) and the Outstanding Alumnus in Engineering Award (2019). He continues to support the next generation of industry leaders as a member of the Florida Tech Construction Advisory Board and Civil Engineering Advisory Committee.
A passionate advocate for workplace safety, Don coined the slogan “Safety – it’s a matter of life”, later adopted by the Associated General Contractors of America. Under his leadership, Woodruff Construction implemented the “Think 12” safety program, which encourages employees to maintain situational awareness within a 12-foot radius to ensure everyone goes home safely each night.
Beyond the job site, Don has instilled a strong culture of community involvement at Woodruff Construction. The company actively supports local chambers, non-profits, schools, and charitable organizations. In 2024 alone, Woodruff Construction contributed over $166,000 to 67 organizations, reflecting its core mission of “Building the future of our families, clients, and communities.”
One of Don’s most lasting legacies is his role in transitioning Woodruff Construction to 100% employee ownership in 2020. This milestone ensures the company’s continued success while providing employees with long-term financial benefits, strengthening the culture of commitment and customer service.
Throughout his career, Don has collaborated with architects, engineers, and industry partners to bring significant projects to life, including Methodist Manor lakefront nursing home & retirement facility in Storm Lake, the Fort Dodge Public Library, Friendship Haven senior living facility, and the Paula J. Baber Hospice House.
Don has been deeply involved with MBI over the last couple of decades, serving on the Board of Directors from 2016-2021; chairing the Blue Ribbon Task Force in 2018; and contributing to the MBI-WORKS Endowment Board; serving on the Convention and Travel Committee in 2003, as well as 2005-2013, & Chairing the committee from 2013-2015; and finally was an MBI-PAC contributor. As Chairman of the Board in 2019, Don played a key role in advocating for Construction Manager at Risk (CMaR) legislation in Iowa, ensuring public owners had access to alternative delivery methods. He dedicated considerable time collaborating with MBI leadership, industry partners, and other stakeholders to promote CMaR. Additionally, he helped to lead other initiatives, including:
Establishing “MBI Plus,” a healthcare plan tailored for Iowa’s construction industry.
Creating a $5 million endowment for workforce development and career advocacy.
Developing a strategic roadmap to grow MBI membership and enhance recruitment and workforce efforts.
Don Woodruff’s career has been defined by his unwavering commitment to safety, innovation, and community. His advocacy for the construction industry and the impact he has made on countless individuals and organizations. Woodruff Construction congratulates Don on this well-deserved honor and remains committed to upholding the values and legacy he has built over the years.
