Early Life
Dennis Washington was born in Spokane, Washington, in 1934. He spent his childhood in various locations, including Spokane, Bremerton, and Missoula, Montana. His parents divorced when he was young, and he lived with his mother. Washington's early life included overcoming polio at age eight, which required hospitalization. He became self-sufficient at a young age, working various jobs. He graduated from Missoula High School in 1951.
Rise to Success
After high school, Washington worked in construction in Alaska before returning to Montana and working in his uncle's construction company. At age 30, in 1964, he started his own construction company, Washington Construction, with a $30,000 loan and a single bulldozer. The company grew to be the largest contractor in Montana by 1969. In the 1970s, he expanded into mining and dam construction. A significant achievement was acquiring a copper and molybdenum mine in Butte, Montana, in 1986, which proved highly profitable. Washington further diversified into railroads, marine services, coastal shipping, aviation, and real estate.
Key Business Strategies
Washington's business strategy involved acquiring and revitalizing underperforming assets. He focused on cost-cutting measures, such as hiring non-union workers, and implemented profit-sharing. His approach also included strategic acquisitions. In 1996, Washington Construction acquired Morrison-Knudsen Corporation, forming Washington Group International.
Philanthropy
Dennis and Phyllis Washington established the Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation in 1988. The foundation focuses on education, health, human services, community service, and arts and culture. The foundation supports various organizations, providing scholarships and funding programs that enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities.