Rooted in Alaska's Wilderness

Johnson River Enterprises originated at the family homestead nestled deep in the majestic Alaska Range, on the banks of the Johnson River, a glacial fed river that flows into the Tanana River, and eventually into the mighty Yukon. It originally began as Johnson River Freighters, when Sonny Lindner surveyed and staked the homestead property with plans of making a freighting business with his dog team a way of life. Along with freighting to remote places he became drawn to long distance dog mushing including racing (and winning) the first Yukon Quest. He raced the Iditarod with many respectable finishes spanning over 40 years, and many other mid-distance races as well.

Building a Legacy

In order to support his growing family of a daughter and two sons, Sonny relied on his building skills and began to take on construction projects in Delta Junction and Fairbanks, eventually moving the family to Delta in the early 80’s where the kids assimilated into public school and Sonny began working full time in the construction industry. Over the next 10 years Sonny worked as superintendent/project manager for some of the interior’s largest construction projects. His children also grew up on the job sites and began to look for employment in the industry, thus they founded Johnson River Enterprises as a general contracting company in 1980. As work progressed Rurik Lindner (eldest son) who worked side by side with his father for nearly his whole life bought in as 50% owner in 2005, and was Joined by his elder sister Erika in 2010.   

What We’ve Built

Many projects were successfully completed under the leadership of Sonny who retired from mushing in 2020, and from Johnson River in 2010 ,with Rurik assuming the leadership role entirely. Johnson River Enterprises has successfully completed over 2500 projects valuing well over 600 Million. Johnson River Enterprises is a company built by the hard working and pioneering spirit of Alaskans since it’s inception. This has fostered relationships in the community that allowed us to acquire the absolute best employees, some even second generation as their fathers helped Sonny in the early days of the companies growth. The relationships with both our employees and our clients is the primary foundation and strength that makes Johnson River Enterprise unique.