Corporate Bios

Glenn H. De Stigter
Chairman of the Board

“The construction business has always been part of my life. My grandfather was a builder and my father was a general contractor. My attraction to Weitz was the stellar reputation of a company that was founded on a solid set of core values,” said Mr. De Stigter. A member of Weitz since 1968, he initiated the acquisition of The Weitz Company from the Weitz family, assembling a management group for the transition to employee-ownership. Under Mr. De Stigter’s leadership, construction revenues for The Weitz Company grew from $200 million in 1992 to $1.4 billion in 2006.

Craig P. Damos
Chief Executive Officer, President

Continuing with what he calls “a humble career,” Mr. Damos serves as CEO and president of The Weitz Company. A member of the company since 2000, his strategic thinking has brought about infrastructure development that allows Weitz to keep pace with its growth — elevating vertical start up opportunities such as Industrial/Agricultural, CPD and Databuilder. Mr. Damos considers Weitz a place of great opportunity, saying, “I have always appreciated the environment that Weitz has created — as employees, we’re owners, so we’re all in it together.”

Leonard W. Martling Jr.
Chief Operating Officer

Mr. Martling has more than 30 years of construction experience — 21 of them with The Weitz Company. He has supervised the construction of some of the most challenging assignments that the company has built, including hotels and resorts, office buildings, warehouses, retirement communities and multi-phased campus facilities.  Mr. Martling is heavily involved with many professional and civic organizations in the community. 

Rick Poppe
Chief Strategic Officer

Mr. Poppe, chief strategic officer, has been in the construction industry for more than 30 years — with 26 years at The Weitz Company. He has been involved in writing and editing a variety of publications on project delivery systems, risk management issues involving mold in construction, and developing independent boards of directors. Mr. Poppe serves as a mediator and master arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association on construction issues, and serves on many boards and foundations within the community.

David Strutt
Senior Vice President, General Counsel

Mr. Strutt’s responsibilities as general counsel entail supervision and management of all contracts, licensing, corporate structure, acquisitions, legal and insurance programs concerning The Weitz Company.  He’s involved with the AGC Tax and Fiscal Affairs Committee and AGC Contracts Committee, as well as the American, Iowa State and Polk County Bar Associations. Before joining Weitz in 1986, Mr. Strutt worked in tax and legal services. Mr. Strutt also has extensive experience in continuing-care retirement community, construction and insurance matters.

David S. Johnson
Chief Financial Officer

As the Chief Financial Officer of The Weitz Company, Dave Johnson plans, directs, and controls the organization’s overall financial plans and policies, accounting practices and relationships with lending institutions, shareholders and the financial community. He directs such functions as financial planning and analysis, accounting, treasury, tax and certain elements of risk management.  Dave has an extensive background in financial, business development and strategic planning activities with over 18 years of experience in the engineering and construction industry. Dave graduated from Carleton College in 1978 with a Bachelors Degree in Economics and Physics. Dave received his Master in Business Administration from Texas Christian University in 2003.