GRAND FORKS, N.D. (Grand Forks Herald) – Grand Forks business leader and former state lawmaker, dies at 62. Lonnie Laffen died of a heart attack Wednesday, Dec. 23.
On Thursday, U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., called Laffen “a distinguished leader in his industry” who has left a lasting legacy. Gov. Doug Burgum says Laffen leaves a legacy as a “gifted architect” who impacted the state.
Laffen, 62, served in the state Senate from 2010 to 2018 and for years held the roles of president and CEO of JLG Architects, a firm that has offices in the Dakotas, Minnesota and Massachusetts and has won numerous design awards. In 2018, Laffen recommended splitting the roles of CEO and president and took on the latter role, focusing on JLG’s strategic initiatives, according to the firm’s website.
Laffen, a native of Wimbledon, N.D., represents the “L” in the firm’s name. JLG originally was founded in 1989 by Laffen and Gary Johnson. Another partner, Jim Galloway, joined later. JLG in 2014 transitioned to an employee-owned company.
JLG is in the midst of constructing a landmark building in downtown Grand Forks, named the Argyle, and plans to move its offices into the new building in 2021.
Aside from his impact on local business, Laffen’s time as a Republican legislator had an impact on the community and state, said a current state lawmaker. “He was a mentor in so many ways for me. He was generous and gracious with his time and knowledge and he just did it on his own. I just loved that about the guy. He was so generous with his knowledge,” state Sen. Scott Meyer, R-Grand Forks, told the Herald.
Laffen is survived by his wife, Pam, and three children.
U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., said Laffen was “was dedicated to the growth and development of North Dakota.”
“He was a distinguished leader in his industry and has left a lasting legacy, through the many structures he has helped design, his contributions to future generations of architects and his service as a state legislator,” Hoeven said in a statement. “I appreciate the opportunities I had to work with Lonnie, both in government and as a businessman, and he will be truly missed. Mikey and I send our deepest condolences to his family, and we will keep his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.”
Gov. Doug Burgum praised Laffen for his years of service to the community and state.
“Lonnie left an indelible mark on North Dakota, from the 32 years he spent pouring his heart into building an award-winning architecture firm to his eight years of committed service in the Legislature, to his service in numerous community organizations,” Burgum said. “Lonnie understood how great design can lift a community and its people, from a beautiful school to a stunning sports arena. His legacy as a gifted architect endures in the dozens of iconic buildings JLG designed across our state and region and in the dedicated team members who carried out his vision – as he said, ‘fantastic projects and great people,’ and because of his magnetism, Lonnie enjoyed a lifetime of working with both. Our hearts and prayers go out to his beloved wife, Pam, their three children, family, friends, legislative colleagues, the NDSU architecture community and the entire JLG team.”