Jon Strand
Founder and Ethos · Jon Strand
Locke & Ladder was founded by Jon Strand, who first learned roofing and construction while paying his way through Herron School of Art in Indianapolis. That mix is the point: a trained eye for proportion, color, and shadow line applied to a trade that usually ignores all three.
That mix still shapes the company. Exterior work has to perform, but it also has to fit the home. A roof, window, siding profile, gutter line, or copper detail can either protect the architecture or fight against it.
Locke & Ladder was built in response to the contractor experiences homeowners are tired of: vague quotes, pressure sales, missing scope, and poor communication. We listen first, explain the work clearly, pair the product to the house, and stay on the problem when the work gets hard.
Craft and design are not extras on a roof. They are the difference between a house that ages well and a house that just gets covered.Jon Strand · Founder

Jon Strand gets exposure to the window industry while still in art school.

Local Locke & Ladder partner Charles Terhune opens a window franchise. Installs 3,000 homes in the Chicagoland area.

Former window company grows to $102 million national brand. Is acquired by PE money.

As culture of former company crumbles, members decide to form a new company despite continued success.

Locke and Ladder inception is official.

Locke & Ladder opens offices in Carmel IN.

“When I’m back in Chicago I feel it…”
Community Give Back
Taking care of our neighbors goes beyond the work. We're proud to support the Indiana Independent Venue Alliance, North Central men's and women's soccer, Carmel Swim Club, and Acres of Hope — the people and places that make the greater Indianapolis area home.
L&L Story
We love construction. More important, we love building things—teams, culture, and an envelope around a home that performs, ventilates properly, and lasts a lifetime.
Locke and Ladder can trace its origins back to 2003 when founder Jon Strand was paying his own way through art school by installing roofs. He had no idea art and exteriors would someday go hand in hand.
The challenge of building something better was an idea we couldn’t let go of. It was first spoken out of frustration with common industry practices.
We joined forces with some industry veterans that shared our values. “What if we did it even better than last time?” became our rallying cry.
We are here because we believe it is the path we are supposed to be on. We are so pleased by the doors that continue to open for Locke and Ladder.
Brand Manifesto
It drives everything we do.
We strive for impact in all facets of our work and the way in which we conduct our lives. Life is too short to be mediocre. We have no interest in being mediocre.
As artists we are inspired to design and install something beautiful. As athletes we bring a competitive passion to improve an industry desperately in need of improvement. The outdoor enthusiast in us loves nature – and seeks out practical ways to be better stewards of our environment.
We stay passionately curious. We love learning. We seek out best industry practices. We are committed to the lifelong journey of becoming better humans. We understand we will make mistakes, but are intentional in taking inventory and growing beyond them. In mind, spirit, and body. We are committed to being a positive driving force for good. We work towards becoming the best husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, siblings, friends, salespeople, installers, trainers, mentors, coaches, workers, and artisans we can be. The best version of ourselves. Giving ourselves grace throughout the process; always improving. The other side is growth and more fulfillment than otherwise possible.
We detest complacency.
We will pursue love.
We will take care of our neighbors, our customers, and each other. It is a good way to live. We will invest in our people. Deeply in our teams mental, physical, and spiritual health. When it comes to ensuring excellent service we believe in a simple truth – have excellent people. Our training goes far beyond customer care. Our desire is long term impact on each person that joins the Locke and Ladder team. Their growth is at the core of why we do what we do. And the result is a team that is best equipped to take care of each Locke and Ladder client.
We will do our best to always be kind.
Inherently, a desire for impact demands excellence.
Excellence in team culture, product offerings, installation standards, and homeowner experience. If being or becoming a person of excellence is not important to you, please do not apply to work here. This standard is at the heart and soul of Locke & Ladder.
As such our products are chosen for us. Impact demands quality. Any product we offer must have impact on the homeowners we work with. Better the communities we live in. They must enhance curb appeal with good design and color choice. They must have real impact on our environment. We will offer only those products we believe deliver lasting performance and benefit. We will sell only products we are completely sold on ourselves.
We love sales. We love the challenge. We love the interaction with people. We recognize sales is the engine that drives the world’s economy. We sell by listening first. We sell through education. We arm ourselves with extensive industry knowledge. We love the process of helping people make informed decisions. We love doing it better than anyone else. We love being experts in communication and delivery. We take pride in our craft. We love being experts in pinpointing our clients needs. Concise and effective, with feeling and empathy. We will sell with honor. We detest liars. We have no place for liars in this company. Impact requires integrity. We will speak of integrity only through our actions.
We will give back with intention. Never for optics or public praise. With gratitude, following our hearts.
We persist. Always. With insight.
We like doing hard things. Knowing that difficulty produces growth. We will be a national brand to reckon with and aspire to – as we aspire and stay inspired by so many people who do it well.
We are dreamers. We dream and think big, utilizing all of our imagination and creativity. We are also doers. We recognize the importance of being people who can actually get things done. We take practical determined steps – and make our dreams turn to real life.
We rebel against the old notions of what business should look like. Red tape and cubicles can go the way of the dodo. Hierarchy holding a mirror to merit. Lead from the front. Valuing all as highly as ourselves.
Seeking out fun and adventure. At work. Outside of work. everywhere. Because we want to smile while we live. Work will facilitate play as play informs the work. Our office will not be boring.
WE REFUSE to sacrifice our families for the company or for our careers. Our families take priority always. In the same vein, we will not sacrifice our mental or physical health for money. We take unplugged vacations. When we work, it is focused. And when we play someone else will be there to assist our clients.
By living our ethos we will find fulfillment in the day.
And one day we will reflect on the past. Toast the friendships, celebrate the accomplishments, and marvel at who we became throughout the journey. “Here’s to the impact – across lives, in communities, and every vertical we touched. It was a crazy ride…but we built something special.”
Sincerely later,
Locke & Ladder
“Time is love… so I give people my time.”Paul Wieck · as quoted by Jon Strand
The Team
Jon Strand
Jonathan Jeffries
Charles Terhune
Jay Manzione
Dan Hruskoci
Travis Middleton
Joe DeBias
Caleb Sparks
Cameron Reynolds
Dustin Franklin
Chris Koelbl
Billy Boese
Kyle Reece
Matt Voss
Tylor Strawmyer
Ron Fletcher
Jonathan Rodriguez
Paul Belmont
Bring your questions. We’ll bring the catalog, project proof, and a process that respects your time.