HISTORY

The Moser name has been synonymous with quality, a commitment to customer service and corporate responsibility for over 65 years. Founded on July 1, 1941, as Moser Fuel and Supply by Harold Moser and two employees, the company competed for Naperville’s coal business during the war years.

After World War II, the use of coal as heat was depleting. At the same time, Moser Fuel and Supply recognized an opportunity to service the expanding population in and around Naperville. It was then, in 1946, that Moser Fuel and Supply became Moser Lumber, Inc. 

With only two builders, no long-range development plans and two other lumber companies in Naperville, the lumber market proved slow. Moser took fate into their own hands and in 1949 the company bought a small farm adjacent to the city limits, developed 51 lots and built and sold homes.

Over the next several decades Moser Lumber played an integral part in the local home construction industry. James Moser, who became CEO of Moser Lumber in 1969, began to see dramatic growth in the land development sector in the Naperville area. He then established Moser Enterprises, Inc. in 1986. James Moser quickly became known around town for his vision, leadership, compassion and dedicated enthusiasm for doing what ever it took to enhance the quality of life in Naperville.

Having started his own career at Moser Lumber on a part-time basis working in the yard and making deliveries in the company’s only truck, this one time U.S. Army lieutenant held positions of salesman and sales manager before he became CEO. Eventually in 1997 Moser Lumber operations was sold to a local lumber company and Moser Enterprises, the remaining Moser family company, took a sole focus on land development.

On August 31, 1998, with the passing of James Moser, the company entered into a new phase of growth via a viable Estate Plan. The company’s operations are managed by a highly professional management team overseen by an active Board of Directors. This Board consists of family members, trustees who are non-family members and senior Moser Enterprises executives. This talented group, committed to the perpetuation of the “legacy of James Moser,” is actively involved in numerous land acquisitions, developments and communities.

Under this leadership, Moser Enterprises, Inc. has seen revenue growth of 57% from 2000 to 2005. As the late James Moser once said, “We subscribe to the popular quote, “the past is prologue, we’ll never be content to rest on our laurels, we want to continue to grow, to move ahead, and to that end, Moser has a master plan. The master plan has undergone several revisions, but the foundation remains the same.”

TIMELINE

Known customarily for our visionary leaders and community contributions, at Moser Enterprises, Inc. we measure our success and accomplishments by what we have given back to the community.

Timeline:

1931
James Moser born in Naperville

1948
James Moser graduated from Naperville Central High School

1969
James Moser became owner and CEO of Moser Lumber

1969 - 1971
James Moser, Director of Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce

1980
Moser Lumber named Retailer of the Year by the Building Supply News

1982 - 1990
James Moser, 1st Chairman of the Riverwalk Commission

1986
James Moser establishes Moser Enterprises

1987 - 2006
Moser Enterprises is instrumental in helping to create the DuPage Children’s Museum and supported the Museum exceeding $1 million

1993
James Moser, Chairman of Safety Town Construction Committee

1996
James Moser 1st recipient of Naperville’s Outstanding Citizen Award - Plaque reads “Known by many as ‘The man who built Naperville’”

1997
A portrait of James Moser hangs in the Naperville Municipal Center

1998
Moser Enterprises contributes to the completion of the Pre-Emption House at Naperville Settlement through the Naperville Heritage Society

2000
Naperville Central Alumni Recognition Award given to James Moser

2000
Moser Enterprises Sponsor of Fireworks Extravaganza

2003
Won Developer Award at 2003 Cavalcade of Homes - held by MPI Communities’ development Grande Park

2004
John Zediker named Moser Enterprises President and CEO

2005
Construction of Moser Plaza commences - future Moser headquarters

2005
John Zediker named “Graduate of the Last Decade” from his alma mater, Carroll College

2006
Daily Herald names James Moser the No. 6 Most Influential Person on their list of Naperville’s 25 Most Influential People in the history of Naperville.