2024 Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award

Pete Strange

Pete Strange is chairman emeritus of Messer, Inc. He was born into the construction industry, often spending time with family members on construction sites in his youth. He attended the University of Cincinnati, graduating with a degree in Civil Engineering. While in school, Pete completed a co-op with Messer Construction, kicking off a 50-year career at the company.

In 1989, Pete led Messer Construction through a transition to employee ownership, afterward becoming chairman and CEO of Messer, Inc. Under his leadership, the company grew from one office with less than 200 employees to nine offices across four states with more than 800 employees.

Pete is a dedicated community member, having served on over 40 nonprofit boards and committees including Greater Cincinnati Foundation as a board chair, National Fund for Workforce Solutions, Ten Thousand Villages, Cincinnati Museums Foundation and National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

Pete and his wife Ginger have three children and eight grandchildren.

About the Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award
The Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award is presented annually by the Foundation to honor volunteers who stand out because of their leadership, vision, creativity and generosity of spirit. Jacob E. Davis was GCF’s first Governing Board chairman and the Foundation’s volunteer director from 1978 until 1987.