2007 Minnesota Business Hall of Fame

Growth was gratifying, but that wasn’t Mortenson’s only goal. “Business ethics and trust are very important to Mort,” says Tom McCune, former president and COO of M. A. Mortenson, and currently one of its directors. “If there was ever a problem on a job, regardless of whose fault it was—even if contractually we weren’t obligated to do something—we went back and made it right.”

Mortenson says he’d like to spend the rest of his career (“which is forever!”) visiting job sites. Current projects give him plenty to choose from, including the largest wind-power facility in North America, comprising 274 turbines on more than 140 square miles of northeastern Colorado, and the Minnesota Twins stadium that’s scheduled to break ground this summer.

“I love working with people in the field,” Mortenson says. “They’re absolutely rock solid. I think our superintendents are the most resourceful, creative, ingenious people on the face of the earth!”

“My dad leads with his heart,” says David Mortenson, “and that leaves a lasting impression on everyone he works with.” 

> Watch video from the 2007 Hall of Fame gala.