Additionally, he states his parents' divorce as his motivation to provide his own wife and children with a stable family environment.

[2] Following graduation from high school, Dennis Washington worked in construction in Alaska and Montana.

He created Washington Construction, which worked primarily on highway contracts, and by 1969 was the largest contractor in Montana.

This success helped him diversify into railroads, marine services, coastal shipping, aviation and real estate.

[6] Washington also owns a private estate on Stuart Island, British Columbia, including a fishing lodge and golf course.