At The Joseph Groh Foundation, we are continually inspired by individuals whose grit and determination carry them through life-changing challenges. Dennis Magness is one of those individuals, and his story reflects the dedication and resilience found throughout the contracting industry.
Magness of Gloucester Township, N.J., has spent his career in cellular construction, helping build tower sites for major carriers. In 1997, he sustained a T12 fracture, L1 burst fracture and other severe injuries after a bungee-jumping accident in the Pocono Mountains. The fall resulted in incomplete paraplegia and limited sensation in his legs. Since then, he has relied on a manual wheelchair, which has made navigating uneven ground particularly challenging.
Despite these physical barriers, Magness has continued to work full time at Magness & Sons General Contracting, the family-owned company where he oversees materials, inspections, subcontractors and technical coordination for cell tower projects. While he has remained active professionally and personally, rough terrain has kept him from reaching tower sites with his crews and from enjoying many of his longtime outdoor pastimes.
Magness discovered The Joseph Groh Foundation while searching for disability-related assistance and applied for help purchasing an Action Trackchair, an all-terrain mobility device designed for safe travel over uneven surfaces.
“I tried an Action Trackchair about four years ago and fell in love with it, but I couldn’t afford one,” Magness said. “I want to get out to the construction sites with my crews and not just stay in the parking lot. I also miss the beach, the woods and fishing in a creek.”
Through donor support, The Joseph Groh Foundation provided the Trackchair, helping restore Magness’s access to work environments and outdoor spaces that hold meaning in his daily life.
Stories like Dennis Magness’s reflect the heart of the Foundation’s mission. His determination and the generosity of donors who make grants like his possible demonstrate the powerful impact of community support. Every contribution helps extend access, mobility and opportunity to contractors and their families facing unexpected challenges. To learn more about the Foundation or to support future grant recipients, visit josephgrohfoundation.org.
About The Joseph Groh Foundation:
Established in 2009, The Joseph Groh Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals within the contracting and construction trades who face permanent, truly life-altering disabilities. To date, the Foundation has provided financial assistance totaling $1.5 million to 150 families with connections to the contracting and construction trades in 38 states. Assistance has ranged from wheelchair accessible vans and home/bath remodels to assistive technology, rehab equipment, home repairs and more. The foundation also offers a pathway for contractors to offer short and long-term disability insurance to contractors through its’ website.
The foundation’s inception is rooted in a profound event on Father’s Day of 2008. Joe Groh, an HVAC industry veteran, experienced a life-altering accident during a bicycle ride, resulting in high level quadriplegia. Despite the challenges, Joe’s resilience inspired the creation of this foundation. His story and our mission can be explored further on our website at www.josephgrohfoundation.org.
The post The Joseph Groh Foundation 2025 Grant Recipient: Dennis Magness first appeared on HVAC Insider.
