Admittedly, the three companies that have one or both names in the ownership slot are busy — their marketing manager needs an organizational chart to keep up with it all — but Anchorage residents can't blame these two for all the construction woes.

As a team or as individual companies, Neeser and Pfeffer are leading efforts to erect some of the city's most impressive structures. They have completed dozens of others that are just as striking.

The triumvirate includes Venture Development Group, Neeser Construction Inc. and KPB Architects, formerly known as Koonce Pfeffer Bettis.

Individually, each company does about $100 million a year in projects. As a team in Venture, they have another $100 million underway.

Projects in which the companies are involved include the Anchorage Rental Car Center, the Anchorage Convention Center and the Atwood Parking Garage — in partnership with JL Properties. The companies are also known for the Alaska Psychiatric Institute, the Alutiiq Center, the Downtown Fire Station and extensive additions around the Alaska Regional Hospital, among many others.

For the most part, Neeser was the contractor and KPB Architects was the designer. In many cases, Venture was the developer and manages the building.

Pfeffer and Neeser met in 1985, when Neeser was searching for a new architect to join his team. Pfeffer's sister, who worked with a property management firm and had dealings with Neeser, introduced the two.

Their first development project was to design, build and manage an office to lease to Allstate Insurance on Tudor Road. They still own the building.

Venture Development was officially named only five years ago. In the early days, each teamed project was formed under a new holding company. As the projects became more complex and greater in number, it became more apparent that all should be run under one roof, they said.

The office is one floor down from Pfeffer's architect firm in Downtown Anchorage. Neeser's office is a couple of miles down the street.

“We do push each other hard,” Pfeffer said.

“Well, we counterbalance each other,” Neeser said. “It's a good relationship We know what development is, we know design and we know construction. It's a great marriage.”

They can argue well, too, sometimes to the point where others grow uncomfortable.

“But we both know we're going to settle it and move on,” Pfeffer said.

In unison, both added, “And that's fine as long as I win.”

Starting small

Originally from Des Moines, Iowa, Pfeffer earned a degree in architecture from the University of Nebraska. He moved to Alaska in 1980 after accepting his first job, with Veco Corp.

After about a year, he started his own firm designing residential houses.

He learned about architecture in grade school, and knew immediately that's what he wanted to do.

“My dad tried to talk me out of it,” he said. “Dad challenged me on whether I was up for it, for college. He thought I could go into a trade and make as much money.”

Pfeffer is currently working to design his own home, using the drafting table his parents gave him for his 21st birthday.

Neeser got into contracting in the early 1960s, working with his father on projects in the Pacific Northwest. In 1969, young Neeser moved to California to put up high-rises and parking garages. Five years later, as construction on the oil pipeline swelled the economy, he moved to Alaska to do residential building.

Predicting the economic downturn of the 1980s would hit urban construction hardest, Neeser switched to commercial work just ahead of the spiral. He began building schools in rural Alaska. The company has done 33 so far.

“As town slowed, we went out there,” Neeser said. “There was a time when people in Anchorage didn't know Neeser. We did a huge volume, but there was nothing to do in Anchorage.”

During the 1980s, they would only build and develop for tenants who had AAA credit ratings.

“We find a project, get an owner who can afford it and then do it,” Neeser said. “We're not speculative developers.”

During the hard economic times of the late 1980s, both their individual companies and their partnership did well.

“We were pretty young and willing to do odd jobs no one else was willing to do,” Pfeffer said. Dozens of buildings were vacant, and needed a company to help do the deferred maintenance.

The economy began to pick up in the 1990s, and business has continued to grow. Now the development company has about a half-dozen projects underway throughout the year.

“We're creative, so we are usually ahead of the curve,” Neeser added. “It doesn't hurt that the two companies are the premiere design/build team in the state.”

Their success has not been without some criticism, however. One example, the city had tried for several years to find enough land on which to build a new fire station. Pfeffer found a site, developed contracts with the land owners and presented a plan to the Anchorage Assembly. Essentially the plan would allow the city to have its fire station, but KPB would design it and Neeser would build it.

Some Assembly members were upset, saying they felt they had little choice but to accept. Some contractors were angry that they didn't have a chance to bid on the job.

“There was a perception that we were unfairly awarded that project,” Pfeffer said. “We work really hard to do our homework. We see the solution long before others see the path to the solution. Because of that, we end up being the team to get the project done.”

How do they do it?

“We've got good people,” Neeser said.

“Everybody here is a real asset, they are very entrepreneurial,” Pfeffer said. “Jerry and I are here a few hours a week. These guys are always on target; we're just advisors.”

Howard Levine and Carol Fraser are among them. Levine is the director of development, and oversees most of the daily operations. Fraser, who built and sold the Aspen Hotel chain, is the director of business development.

“Venture does what architects and contractors can't do,” Pfeffer said. “Somebody has to be in the lead role, to coordinate, to finance land, get the contracts. The owner is dealing with one contractor who gets it from an idea to the end. Venture does that really well.”