Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. of Highland is once again hosting the 27th annual golf scramble benefiting Camp Ondessonk. Situated on nearly 1,000 acres near Ozark, Illinois, Ondessonk offers kids ages 8 to 15 a summer camping experience highlighted by boating, archery, horseback riding, hiking, and rock climbing. Youth of all faiths are welcome to enjoy the fun and adventure experienced at the camp.
The golf benefit was launched by Pete Korte, K & L’s founder and chairman, who served on the camp’s Board of Directors from 1995 to 2002. K & L President Gregg Korte said Camp O is very dear to his family. “Time spent in God’s natural resources is so good for the soul and there is no better place to do that than at Camp Ondessonk. It gives us much gratification in the Korte family and at Korte & Luitjohan to partner with all the generous people who support Camp O, through this great annual event.”
This year’s golf scramble is Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course in Okawville. Cost for the four-person scramble is $110 per golfer or $440 per team. The price includes golf, cart, refreshments at the course, lunch, skins and mulligans. There will be a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. Golfers can also participate in some skills contests.
A variety of sponsorships ranging from $100 to $1,500 are available. On-line player registrations and sponsorships are available for the first time this year by going on-line to www.ondessonk.com/events. Last year’s scramble raised over $30,000 for the camp.
“The golf benefit is an incredibly important fundraiser for Camp O,” said Emily Bretscher, Event and Marketing Coordinator for Camp Ondessonk. “The $30,000 raised last year allowed nearly 50 kids to attend Camp O through our scholarship fund. Money raised from our golf scramble also helps sustain and enhance our programs, and fund new initiatives to fulfill our mission to provide exceptional outdoor and spiritual adventures empowering kids of all ages.”
For more information, call (618) 695-2489 or visit Camp Ondessonk’s website.
K & L Sponsors Big Car Show on 66
Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. was a Bronze level sponsor of the 2022 Kicks on 66 Car Cruise at the On the Hill Golf Course in Edwardsville. Held September 10, the weather was perfect, and an array of classic and modern cars descended upon the course. K & L hosted a hospitality tent for our invited guests. If you are a car enthusiast, this was the place to be! We’re looking forward to participating in 2023.
Annual Golf Scramble to Benefit Youth Camp
Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. of Highland is once again hosting the 27th annual golf scramble benefiting Camp Ondessonk. Situated on nearly 1,000 acres near Ozark, Illinois, Ondessonk offers kids ages 8 to 15 a summer camping experience highlighted by boating, archery, horseback riding, hiking, and rock climbing. Youth of all faiths are welcome to enjoy the fun and adventure experienced at the camp.
The golf benefit was launched by Pete Korte, K & L’s founder and chairman, who served on the camp’s Board of Directors from 1995 to 2002. K & L President Gregg Korte said Camp O is very dear to his family. “Time spent in God’s natural resources is so good for the soul and there is no better place to do that than at Camp Ondessonk. It gives us much gratification in the Korte family and at Korte & Luitjohan to partner with all the generous people who support Camp O, through this great annual event.”
This year’s golf scramble is Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course in Okawville. Cost for the four-person scramble is $110 per golfer or $440 per team. The price includes golf, cart, refreshments at the course, lunch, skins and mulligans. There will be a shotgun start at 8:00 a.m. Golfers can also participate in some skills contests.
A variety of sponsorships ranging from $100 to $1,500 are available. On-line player registrations and sponsorships are available for the first time this year by going on-line to www.ondessonk.com/events. Last year’s scramble raised over $30,000 for the camp.
“The golf benefit is an incredibly important fundraiser for Camp O,” said Emily Bretscher, Event and Marketing Coordinator for Camp Ondessonk. “The $30,000 raised last year allowed nearly 50 kids to attend Camp O through our scholarship fund. Money raised from our golf scramble also helps sustain and enhance our programs, and fund new initiatives to fulfill our mission to provide exceptional outdoor and spiritual adventures empowering kids of all ages.”
For more information, call (618) 695-2489 or visit Camp Ondessonk’s website.
Korte & Luitjohan Announces Promotion and Hirings
Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. has announced a promotion and the hiring of three new members of its team.
Kyle Luitjohan has been promoted to project manager. Luitjohan began his career with K & L in September 2013 as an assistant project manager and IT manager. He will continue his IT duties in his new role. A Highland native, Luitjohan graduated from McKendree College in 2004 with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Because of his experience in an assistant’s role, Luitjohan will easily transition to the project manager’s position, where he will work with office and field staff to execute the successful, timely performance of K & L’s construction jobs.
Chris Kattenbraker is joining K & L as estimator/project manager. Born and raised in Chester, Kattenbraker currently lives in Walsh, IL with his wife, Heather. He has two adult sons, Collin and Nick. Chris is a 1990 graduate of State Technical College of Missouri. Based on his experience and relationships he has developed, Chris will be an asset to acquiring and managing a variety of projects.
Traci Albers of Germantown has been brought on as an assistant project manager. She has a degree in business administration from McKendree University (2000), and an MBA-HRM from McKendree (2017). Traci has over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, business administration, finance, human resources/payroll and project management in a variety of professional fields.
Cynthia Simpson is the new office manager for K & L. A Granite City resident, Simpson most recently served as office manager/payroll coordinator for Gateway Classic Cars in O’Fallon. She will serve as the executive assistant to K & L President Gregg Korte, while also coordinating a variety of daily office tasks.
KORTE & LUITJOHAN EARNS SAFETY AWARD
Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. (K & L) has received a Merit Award for jobsite safety in 2021 from the Southern Illinois Builders Association (SIBA). K & L received the recognition for having no recordable accidents on jobsites resulting in lost time. Korte & Luitjohan logged 81,963 manhours last year. The award was recently accepted by John Whitworth, K & L Vice President, during a SIBA board meeting.
William Blechinger, CHST, K & L’s Safety Director, commended the field team for their commitment to safety. “It begins with our job superintendents who work hard to make sure everyone on the site follows good safety practices.” This includes regular “Toolbox Talks” at the jobsite, covering safety topics from equipment safety to recognizing the signs of heat stroke. Blechinger also makes unannounced safety audit visits.
“This safety award is a team accomplishment and every employee here can be proud of it,” explained K & L President Gregg Korte. “We don’t achieve such a prize without sincere effort on everyone’s part. And I see it every day. We all do our best to look out for each other’s wellbeing. Because, while it is a great thing to work with people you like, doing work you like, it is even more important that we all go home healthy and whole, because we have families to support and personal lives to enjoy.”
K & L is a full-service, design-build, construction management, and general contracting firm based in Highland, Illinois. Since its founding in 1958, the company has provided quality construction throughout the Metro St. Louis area and Southern and Central Illinois. SIBA, founded in 1945, serves commercial contractors in the southern-most 39 counties in Illinois in areas ranging from labor relations to safety and education.
K & L SPONSORS ANNUAL GOLF EVENT
Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. were hosts for the 26th Annual Golf Scramble benefiting Camp Ondessonk. Nestled among nearly 1,000 acres near the Shawnee National Forest, Camp O, as its often called, was founded in 1959 by the Catholic Diocese of Belleville. Kids ages 8 to 15 can experience a classic summer camp highlighted by canoeing, archery, horseback riding, hiking, and rock climbing. Pete Korte, chairman of K & L, served on the camp’s board of directors from 1995 to 2002. His children and grandchildren attended Camp O, and later served as camp counselors.
Although a steady rain fell in the days leading up to the 2021 golf outing, the sun came out on Saturday, October 16, providing a beautiful day for the 24 teams participating. There were 84 sponsors who graciously donated to the golf scramble.
We thank everyone who helped make it a spectacular day!
K & L PARTICIPATES IN TOUCH A TRUCK
Korte & Luitjohan Contractors participated in the annual Touch A Truck event held Saturday, October 16 at Edwardsville Township Community Park. K & L’s Adam Kampwerth was there with a mini-excavator, which was a big hit with the kids. And there were a lot of kids there! K & L also handed out complimentary juice boxes and coloring books to the youngsters.
K & L Sponsors Artists
The Highland Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Street Art Fest was held September 18, 2021. Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. co-sponsored Catie and Jacob Whitworth, the daughter and son of John Whitworth, K & L vice president. For their chalk mural, the Whitworths selected an image of Hephaestus, the Greek god of carpenters, blacksmiths, and craftsmen. It took Catie and Jacob almost five hours to complete this amazing work of art. They earned 2nd place in the amateur (19-23) category.
SAFETY AWARDS EARNED BY K & L
2021 Safety Award
SIBA-Merit Award
Zero Lost Time Accidents 60,000-150,000 Man-hours
2020 Safety Award
SIBA-Merit Award
Zero Lost Time Accidents 60,000-150,000 Man-hours
2020 AGC Excellent Safety Record
Zero Incidence Rate 10,000 – 50,000 Work Hours – Utility Infrastructure
2019 Safety Awards
2019 AGC Excellent Safety Record
Zero Incidence Rate 50,000 Work Hours and Over – Federal & Heavy
Zero Incidence Rate Below 10,000 Work Hours – Highway
Zero Incidence Rate 10,000 – 50,000 Work Hours – Utility Infrastructure
2018 Safety Awards
SIBA – Merit Award
Excellence Award – 4 Years Zero Lost Time Accidents
Zero Lost Time Accidents Over 150,000 Man-hours
2017 Safety Awards
SIBA – Merit Award
Excellence Award – 3 Years Zero Lost Time Accidents
Zero Lost Time Accidents Over 60,000+ – 150,000 Man-hours
Zero Incidence Rate – 10,000 to 50,000 Work Hours – Building
Korte-Luitjohan-Keystone-Finalist
Pete Korte Celebrity Pie Auction