EV Construction, Metal Flow, others honored by West Coast Chamber

Mike Novakoski believes EV Construction’s work is about far more than the buildings that rise on the West Michigan skyline. For him, every project is an invitation to create places where people can live, work, and play. 

The vision of construction as community-building is among the many reasons the Holland company received the Excellence Award at the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Awards Celebration.

“We build the facilities that people thrive in, and that is what we stand for,” says Novakoski, EV Construction’s president and CEO. “When people think about our legacy, I hope they remember how we made them feel.”

Founded in 1945, EV Construction has helped shape the region with projects ranging from churches and schools to hospitals and manufacturing plants. Novakoski points to milestones from the city’s original power plant to new downtown developments and everything in between. But he says the true legacy is not the structures themselves, it’s the lives enriched inside them.

The company backs that philosophy with creative outreach: an ice cream truck that serves neighbors, a future-builders event where children learn about construction, and long-term employee relationships that make a 40-year career feel like a calling. 

“We are here to succeed as a business, but we’re also here to support this community,” Novakoski says. “Innovation is in our blood, and we’re going to continue to push to be an exclamation point in this community.”

Awards highlight community impact

More than 200 business and civic leaders gathered Sept. 18 at the Holland Civic Center Place to celebrate the Chamber’s annual awards, presented with support from platinum program sponsor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Novakoski calls the honor an affirmation of EV Construction’s people-first culture.

“This award, for me, is on behalf of our employees,” he says. “They love what they do and they love who they do it with, and that’s a lot different than a lot of companies feel. Creating the right environment within the company and understanding how it impacts the community is really important, and then we build stuff. So that’s what I really love about doing business here.”

The Chamber presented its Icon Award to Kelly Springer, president and CEO of Metal Flow Corp. Springer describes leadership as a team journey.

“I think of it as honoring the great teamwork and leadership that exists within the work we’re doing,” Springer says. “Communities don’t just become thriving places for business, families, and future growth. They become those because people invest their time, talent, and treasure.”

She adds that the recognition belongs to her colleagues as much as to her. 

“This award really does reflect their dedication and success as much as it does mine,” she says. “Leadership is a journey, and for me it’s about building strong teams and driving for meaningful results together.”

Other organizations highlighted during the evening were: 

Inspire Award. This award went to Yellow Lime Creative, an all-female marketing agency cited for bold ideas and contagious energy that spark growth and connection, inspiring clients and the broader business community to take risks and think differently.

Innovation Award.  The Holland Board of Public Works received this honor in recognition of its forward-thinking approach to sustainable energy and infrastructure.

Impact Award. This award went to the Critter Barn. What began in 1984 as a small educational farm now welcomes more than 100,000 visitors a year. Critter Barn has created a fully accessible place where everyone can connect with agriculture and community life.

Jodi Owczarski, the Chamber’s president and CEO, says awards are about celebrating the trailblazing spirit of the Holland-Zeeland area. 

“We were honored to celebrate those who are leading the way with innovation and impact,” she says.