Gregg Korte Honored by Camp

March 7, 2025 - Gregg Korte, president of Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc, recently received an honor for his support of Camp Ondessonk. Located in the Shawnee National Forest near Ozark, IL, Camp Ondessonk is a Catholic youth camp founded in 1959.

Korte was presented the Merit of St. René Goupil Award by the Loyal Lodge of Ondessonk & Tekakwitha. This award is given to an outstanding non-Lodge volunteer who has rendered meritorious service to Lodge, Camp Ondessonk, and the community.



In its 66-year history, Ondessonk has only given this honor to 32 people including K&L founder Pete Korte and long-time K&L employee Cheetah Horstmann.

Pete was a former board member and supporter of the camp. He was instrumental in launching the annual golf fundraiser that now bears his name. Gregg Korte has continued his father’s tradition of supporting Camp Ondessonk.

In accepting the award, Gregg Korte thanked God for “K&L’s good fortune and profitability, which makes it possible to be a good Camp O supporter.” He also gave thanks to the K&L employees who have given their personal time and talent to help on camp projects, as well as his mother and siblings for their continued support.

Korte reminded the audience of his father’s adage that all his support for Camp Ondessonk was for one reason. “It’s for the kids!” Expounding on this thought, Gregg Korte said, “Camp O is God's gift for the kids, through all the Camp O family. It's one of His ways of giving each of us the opportunity to love our neighbor. I believe we are given this life to learn to love, so that we can spend forever in heaven loving God and each other

Two K&L Employees Graduate From Institute

Two members of the Korte and Luitjohan Contractors team recently graduated from Southern Illinois University of Edwardsville’s Construction Leadership Institute (CLI). Project Manager Ben Ambuel and Business Development representative Matt Korte attended the nine-week course on the SIUE campus. A total of 48 students graduated from the CLI on March 7. Developed by the Department of Construction and the SIUE School of Business, CLI prepares a new generation of leaders in the architecture, engineering, and construction fields. Industry leaders provide mentoring and guidance to students who learn leadership, communication, and professional skills. Reflecting on his CLI experience, Matt Korte said, “I was impressed with the course and think it gave some valuable insights to consider while moving forward in life and business, particularly in the construction industry.” Korte believes CLI classes cultivate “habits and a mindset that will help the leaders of tomorrow be more effective in their roles.” Ben Ambuel cited communication skills and techniques taught at the Institute as one of his favorite aspects. “Having a background in the construction field and not the office, what I have learned in the class is helping me to shift my focus towards seeing the overall ‘big picture’ for K&L and not just the day-to-day and week-to-week activities on my projects,” Ambuel explained. K & L Vice President John Whitworth is a past CLI graduate and currently sits on the program’s board.

K & L Marks 50th Anniversary Membership

February 25, 2025 - Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. was recently recognized as a 50-Year Member of Mid-West Truckers Assoc. Based in Springfield, IL, MTA has over 4,300 members in 15 states. MTA has provided several services to K & L over the years including assistance with oversized permits, licensing for trucks and trailers, and employee drug testing. K & L was MTA’s Member of the Year in 1995. Ken Toennies, K & L vice president, said that he and company founder Pete Korte attended the annual MTA convention for many years. According to Toennies, Pete enjoyed the camaraderie at the convention.

Gober Joins K & L Team

December 20, 2024 – Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. is happy to announce the addition of Cole Gober as an assistant project manager. Gober, a native of Mascoutah, IL, is a recent graduate of Eastern Illinois University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management. Gober has been serving as an intern at K & L since August of 2024. While in school, Gober worked as a handyman doing various drywall and electrical projects around his hometown. It was this work that prompted his interest in construction as a career.

Gober is looking forward to being a full-time member of the K & L family. “I’m excited to be a part of such a cooperative team and to continue learning all the different aspects that go into running a job. I am looking forward to helping all our departments manage whatever tasks they have at hand each week.”

December 16th was Gober’s first day as an assistant project manager at K & L.

Golf Benefit for Camp O Surpasses Goal

September 28, 2024 – The Pete Korte Memorial Golf Benefit for Camp Ondessonk raised over $39,004, surpassing the goal of $37,500. Over 110 golfers participated in the tourney held at Roland Barkau Memorial Golf Course in Okawville, Ill. The event was renamed in honor of Pete Korte, founder of Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc., who passed away in September 2023. Korte had served on Camp O’s Board of Directors from 1995 to 2002, during that time he launched the golf tourney to raise money for the camp. 

Winning teams were:

1st Place, First Flight – Ron Hollis

2nd Place, First Flight – Red-E-Mix

3rd Place, First Flight – Helitech 

1st Place, Second Flight – Tom Young Team #2

2nd Place, Second Flight – Tom Young Team #1

3rd Place, Second Flight – Highland Knights of Columbus – 4th Degree 

Longest Drive – Gloria Toennies and Phillip Timmerman 

Closest to the Pin – Cheetah Horstmann and Jeff Trame 

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the incredible sponsors, donors, participants, and volunteers who made this day truly special. Every dollar raised goes directly to Camp Ondessonk, fueling its mission of providing exceptional outdoor and spiritual adventures empowering kids of all ages. The camp is located on nearly 1,000 acres near Ozark, IL

Touch A Truck Provides Great Outreach

September 21, 2024 – K & L was a sponsor and participant in the 10th annual Touch A Truck, organized by Edwardsville Township. Held at the Township Community Park, also known as “Airplane Park”, the event attracted hundreds of kids. K & L's Lisa Pontious, Mason Hoffman, and John Goldsmith handed out coloring books and construction helmets. Our friends at Vermeer Midwest provided us with a mini-excavator for our booth. Although it was an unseasonably warm day, the kids had a great time making memories. If you would like Korte & Luitjohan Contractors, Inc. to participate in your Touch A Truck, please contact John Goldsmith, the marketing guy, at johngoldsmith@korteluitjohan.com

Supporting The Arts

September 21, 2024 – One day a year the downtown streets of Highland, Illinois become a canvas for area artists. K & L again this year was a sponsor of one of the artists in the Highland Chamber of Commerce’s Street Art Festival. Catie Whitworth, daughter of K & L Vice President John Whitworth, spent almost six hours creating her chalk art image. Catie said her entry was inspired by the artist Marisol Muro. “Muro makes these wonderfully groovy and vintage inspired prints. Her art makes me happy, and I wanted to share those happy bright colors with others.” K & L was proud to sponsor Catie in the festival and we’re impressed by her talent and creativity!

K & L Recruits Construction Talent of Tomorrow

September 18, 2024 – K & L participated in the annual Construction Networking Night at SIUE. This special evening allows students in the construction program to meet and mingle with those in the industry. Students bring their resumes in hopes of finding internship or employment opportunities. Representing K & L were Lisa Pontious, Director of Pre-construction, and John Goldsmith, the marketing guy. Both agreed that they met some outstanding young people who are the future of construction. “An internship allows a student to get a real life feel of our industry,” Goldsmith said. “Our goal is to see our interns transition into full-time members of our team.”