Getting to Know OTL’s Vice President and Chief Estimator Jack Larsen

Beginning in 2020, in our newsletter and throughout our social media platforms, we began spotlighting team members who are key to the success of our company.

While OTL is known throughout the USA and internationally for designing and building magnificent water features, rockwork and themed environments, our company’s true foundation is our people. OTL simply would not be the same without our incredibly talented, dedicated, and caring team.

This month’s Team Spotlight is devoted to our Vice President and Chief Estimator Jack Larsen. One of OTL’s OGs, Jack has been with the company “since the beginning.” He is in charge of all bidding, assisting with BD efforts, design work, and project management for our firm. We don’t know what we would do without him.

Jack spoke to us about his favorite OTL projects, his greatest accomplishments at the company, and his passion for motorcycles.

Favorite project since joining OTL: I’ve had many favorite jobs; it’s impossible to narrow it down to just one. To name a few, Civic Park, Santa Monica Palisades, and all of the many show fountains that we have completed across the U.S. have been standouts.

Greatest accomplishment at the company: OTL’s very first job working at a private estate with artificial rockwork, waterfalls, and streams was great. It was so exciting to see this come together as a young company. It still amazes me that from a simple hand sketch of a water feature on a piece of scratch pad that I can develop detailed estimates (basically design the project in my head) and turn that into a contract.

The reward comes after the project is completed and within budget—that’s when the sleepless nights stop. Some of the most challenging estimates have been Civic Park, Santa Monica Palisades, most of our show fountains, Waterfront Park, Pegasus, The Grand at Papago Park Center, and most recently—and definitely the most challenging—Nancy Best, which we are just now starting up in Dallas. The last two years certainly came with some challenges, including working remotely with its lack of personal contact, but we never lost our momentum and saw our greatest year in 2021. More to come!

Fun fact about Jack: After never having had much interest in motorcycles all my life, at age 59 I decided to get my first bike and have been loving the feeling of freedom every time I take a ride, especially with my wife on the back. There is nothing like it.

Aspirations for the future: I want to continue to help carry OTL forward, keeping our current momentum going and growing the company to even further success.

Stay tuned for Team Spotlights featuring more of OTL’s outstanding team members.