Jack P. Mollenkopf, Jr. Building a Significant Future

Jack P. Mollenkopf, Jr. ‘95 has been recognized as one of the newest Delta Delta Significant Sigs in the 2024 class.  He is the Chief Executive Officer of Charles Pankow Builders, a commercial building construction and concrete company in California. Under Jack’s leadership this employee-owned company has more than doubled its annual revenue in his first year as CEO.  Pankow anticipates continued growth in California with a five year target of $1B in total annual revenue.

Significant Sig Jack P. Mollenkopf, Jr. ‘95

 Shaping Tomorrow’s Skylines

After graduating from Purdue in 1995 Jack joined the company, which was founded by 1963 Purdue Alumnus, Charles J. Pankow.  He has previously served in various roles during his 29-year tenure at Pankow including Project Executive, Project Sponsor, Project Superintendent, Project Engineer, Field Engineer and Vice President of their Southern California operations. Jack and his teams’ contributions can be seen in a number of projects that have shaped the greater Los Angeles skyline, providing preconstruction and construction services for the Metropolis Tower, a 56-story high-rise residential tower and The Edition Hotel and Residences on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. Pankow Builders is currently on a Design-Build team that is building the replacement airport terminal and parking at the Hollywood Burbank Airport.

Pankow is a California based contractor headquartered in Pasadena but has built many projects in Hawaii and across the Western United States.  Since 1963, Pankow has benefited clients through creative problem-solving, engineering expertise and construction innovation.  Pioneers of design-build and integrated project delivery, they provide design-build, design assist and tenant improvement services across several market sectors.  Pankow’s building types include: Office Buildings, Healthcare, Aviation, Multi-family High-Rise Residential, Hospitality, Parking Structures, Education, Civic Buildings and renovations of all the above.

Advancing Construction Industry Education

Throughout his career, Jack has actively supported the advancement of construction industry education at Purdue and throughout California. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of Purdue University’s Construction Engineering and Management Department and previously as a Board Member of the Los Angeles Chapter ACE Mentor Program. He is also a member of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) which is dedicated to promoting the design-build process.

Purdue Head Football coach Ryan Walter surrounded by Jack and his Class of ’95 pledge brothers at the 2024 Mollenkopf-Keyes golf outing.

In his role as CEO, he also works closely with the Charles Pankow Foundation, the nation’s only privately funded nonprofit dedicated to building innovation, which has advanced scalable solutions to practical challenges faced in architecture, engineering, and construction industry. More than just a funding source, the Foundation brings deep industry insight to identifying critical research topics.

Awards and Recognition

Jack is a mild-mannered and humble leader, never seeking recognition for what he has accomplished. In 2016, Jack received the ACE Spotlight Award in the Special Awards category. This award recognizes Jack’s passion and dedication to the ACE Mentor Program and all his contributions as both a mentor and board member. This program mentors high school students and inspires them to pursue careers in design and construction. With Jack’s significant influence and leadership as CEO, Pankow achievements have helped define the construction industry, its practices, and professional organizations. In 1993, Pankow was one of the founding members of the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA), and Pankow has infused it with continual leadership for the past 30 years.

Committed to Purdue and Sigma Chi

Jack has given back to Purdue University through his generous donations of his time and treasures over the years, investing in the young leaders and the future of the Construction Engineering Management Program.  Throughout his career, Jack has always supported hiring interns from Purdue and recruiting construction professionals.  Jack has also played a role in the annual Mollenkopf-Keyes fundraising golf outing in Naples, honoring his late grandfather, former Purdue Football Coach Jack Mollenkopf, who was one of the winningest coaches in the history of Purdue University and led the football team to a win in the 1967 Rose Bowl.

Jack and Sarah with their children Grayson, Owen and Julia.

Just as importantly Jack has organized and encouraged his Sigma Chi pledge brothers to gather in all different parts of the country in support of each other, Purdue and Sigma Chi.  He looks forward to giving back even more of his time and treasures.

Jack wrote, “Sigma Chi means the world to me, providing lifelong friendships and invaluable leadership lessons over the past 30 plus years.  The bonds I share with my brothers are irreplaceable, and I am grateful for their unwavering support.  As a symbol of my dedication to Sigma Chi and everything it represents, I am honored to have this Significant Sig Award displayed at 202 among the many past Delta Delta recipients.”

Jack, his wife, Sarah, and their three children, Grayson, Owen and Julia reside in Newport Beach, CA.