For over a century, Seattle-based Lease Crutcher Lewis has ridden out the ups and downs of the economy through a diversified portfolio of work, innovation, and an adaptable approach to meeting client needs, Gary Toushek learns  In 1886 in Great Falls, Montana, carpenter Newton Lease and a partner formed general contractor Lease & Leigland. Soon this was a leading Montana contractor, building projects such as the Cascade County Courthouse. Son Howard Lease moved the company to Seattle in 1939, where it constructed the main terminal at Sea-Tac Airport.

Collaboration sets the tone From the time its comprehensive plan first established the need for a new wastewater treatment facility, officials in King County, Washington, began building consensus and reaching out to the community.

Highway to heavenThe highway renewal program being undertaken by the Illinois Tollway promises increased capacity and a better driving experience for the Midwest, Ruari McCallion learns from Paul Kovacs. When General Dwight D. Eisenhower came back from Europe after World War II, he recognized the importance of a modern highway system as a means to protect the country and to facilitate economic prosperity.  As president, Eisenhower was able to deliver the vision.

Andrew Pelis learns how improved facilities, a focus on innovation and a booming market add up to a promising future for IDEXX LaboratoriesThe world of pet care is currently going through a boom period. At the cusp of pet care innovation, IDEXX Laboratories is now undertaking the renovation phase of a $75 million project to expand and update its flagship facilities in Westbrook, Maine.The need for expansion has been driven by the companyÔÇÖs success in adopting a blueprint formulated by Jonathan W.

Right time, right placeRichard Stolle, president and COO of Homburg Invest, explains to Gay Sutton how anticipating growth markets has enabled the company to build a strong and wide portfolio that provides security in the current difficult times. Think property now and you think of falling prices and increasing losses.

To boldly goÔǪMark Kolebaba explains to Gay Sutton how Diamonds North is doing things differently, not so much to lead the field, but to accelerate the diamond exploration process and stay ahead of the competition. The cold Northwest Territories of Canada are inhospitable, dark and icy for several months of the year, and yet they are potentially rich in quality diamonds that rank among the best in the world. The mines already operating there can yield gems priced at anything from $150 to $300 per carat, whereas diamonds from South Africa, for example, w

The two surviving major investment banks in the US are changing their status to become bank holding companies, allowing them to take deposits from investors.   ┬á The status change should enable Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs to raise money by opening commercial banks.

Building a community assetThe Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park may not be one of the biggest projects that GDH, a division of the Hagerman Group, has ever built, but it has brought its share of special challenges and opportunities, as Keith Regan learns from Kent Forman. The Hagerman Group is marking its 100th year in business this year . . .  . . . and the companyÔÇÖs reputation as a major builder of higher educational, sports, commercial and institutional projects is well established across the Midwest.

Sustainable mobilityAt Ford, sustainability and environmental issues are as important as producing cleaner, more efficient vehicles, group vice-president Sue Cischke explains to Gary Toushek. These are challenging times indeed for the Big Three automakers in Detroit, as they re-focus and re-tool for more energy efficient and alternative energy vehicles. Along with its own major strategic initiative to produce vehicles with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, the Ford Motor Company is formally recognizing its responsibility as a cooperative corporate citize

Food, glorious foodGreat food from interesting places is the business of European Imports Ltd. Ruari McCallion gets a taste from Trish Pohanka. As well as interesting dances and colorful parades, the immigrant heritage of the US brings us something else to enjoyÔÇöfood. Fancy a taste of Italy, a soup├ºon of France, a dash of Australia or a slice of Argentina? It shouldnÔÇÖt take long to find, and it may well be served in convivial restaurant surroundings.