History

Lease Crutcher Lewis enjoys a rich history of family leadership and expanding ownership.

Lease Crutcher Lewis was founded nearly 125 years ago in Great Falls, Montana by N.T. Lease. He formalized the company in 1886 with the help of business partner H.S. Leigland. “Lease & Leigland” soon became the premier construction firm in the state. Civic buildings were a focus and source of pride in the early years. N. T. established the enduring values for the company that include commitment to the community and to one another.

Upon N.T. Lease’s death in 1929, son Howard S. Lease acquired his share of the company. He moved the business to Seattle in 1939 and continued the legacy of building landmark projects such as the still-used main terminal at Sea-Tac Airport. Howard, a University of Washington graduate, was active in the community and the Association of General Contractors.

Generations three and four of the family joined the ranks in the second half of the century. Jim Crutcher, Howard Lease’s son-in-law, signed on in 1957, and Bill Lewis, Lease’s grandson and current company president, came aboard in 1978. During this period the company diversified into other markets including medical, biotech, office buildings and higher education. The firm also expanded into Portland in 1993 where it has excelled in the education market and leads the industry in sustainable construction, with more than 50 university facilities and nearly 30 LEED projects built to date.

In 2008 the company took another important step forward by establishing an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, or ESOP. This further supports the existing culture of ownership, where everyone is motivated to act in the best interest of the company. Our exceptional management, family-oriented corporate culture and professional reputation helps Lewis attract and maintain the best talent in the industry.