AGC Minn. recognized leaders in the industry at their annual honors event. Mathiowetz Construction's Brian J. Mathiowetz received the Lifetime Achievement Award. John Hass of Veit won the SRI Award. Safety awards were given to Danny's Construction, PCL Construction, and Adolfson & Peterson Construction. Diversity and inclusion recognition went to many firms, including Lunda Construction and Valley Paving. Rep. Larry Kraft and Rep. Frank Hornstein received Legislative Awards. AGC and MnDOT also honored various firms with Bridge Awards. Visit agcmn.org for more info.
AGCMN photo
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Brian J. Mathiowetz of Mathiowetz Construction Company.
At its annual AGC Honors on Feb. 18, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota (AGCMN) recognized individuals and companies for their outstanding contributions and commitment to Minnesota's commercial construction industry.
AGC Honors celebrates the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Skill-Responsibility-Integrity (SRI) Award, Safety Awards, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Awards, Legislative Awards and Bridge Awards.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Brian J. Mathiowetz of Mathiowetz Construction Company. Mathiowetz's career in construction began in his early childhood, then moved to full time in 1981 when he joined Mathiowetz Construction, bringing with him a civil engineering degree from the University of Minnesota and a deep desire to contribute to the family business. He became president in 1995 and then CEO in 1999 at his father's sudden passing. The business grew from $5M in revenue in 1981, his first year, to $100M in 2024.
Mathiowetz's leadership extended beyond Mathiowetz Construction into his service on the AGC board of directors. In 2011, he was honored with AGC's Skill, Responsibility and Integrity (SRI) award.
A key part of Mathiowetz's career was his work on the AGC/MnDOT Grading and Base committee, where he partnered with MnDOT to refine and clarify specifications. He co-chaired this committee for more than 25 years. His ability to bring all parties together, find common ground and communicate effectively about MnDOT specifications and best practices, was essential to the success of continuous improvement on MnDOT projects.
"Brian not only embodies the principles of outstanding leadership and extensive expertise befitting a recipient of this award, he also carries a unique passion for the Minnesota construction industry and an undying love for the people who make it all happen," said Tim Worke, AGC CEO, in presenting the award.
As Mathiowetz Construction celebrates its 100th year, Mathiowetz's third generation of leadership and legacy are being passed on to the company's fourth generation of leadership. His vision and values continue to shape the company's future, ensuring that his lifetime achievements will carry on for years to come.
The Skill-Responsibility-Integrity (SRI) Award was presented to John Hass of Veit. As the director of lean operations of Veit, Hass played a pivotal role in getting AGC's Worker Safety and Underground Utility bill signed into law by providing legislative committee testimony, participating in a key press conference and consistently bringing advocates together.
This legislation, part of the Transportation Policy Omnibus Bill (H.F. 3436) signed on May 15, 2024, impacts chapter 216D of the state excavation safety statutes. Beginning in 2017, Hass collaborated with various association and contractor representatives on this AGC-led initiative, which Gov. Tim Walz signed into law this past May.
Hass leads the Utility Infrastructure Division of AGC and participates in the AGC Safety Committee. He also sits on the board of directors of the Minnesota Utility Contractors Association (MUCA) and is actively involved with Day of the Dozers, an interactive event allowing families to experience heavy equipment up close while learning about the construction industry, damage prevention and safety.
"Just as John has always said, ‘It's not a matter of if; it's a matter of when' regarding the imminent danger to contractors posed by unmarked buried utilities. We at AGC knew that it wasn't a matter of if, but rather when John would be recognized with this award," said Laura Ziegler, AGC director of highway/heavy and government relations.
Recognized with the Jeff Jensen Memorial Construction Safety Excellence Awards were Danny's Construction Co., PCL Construction and Adolfson & Peterson Construction.
These awards are presented in three categories (based on annual work hours) for outstanding safety records on jobsites and in employee safety training programs over the previous year.
"We are incredibly proud of all three Jeff Jenson Award winners," said Stacy Arnold, AGC director of safety and CHASE. "All three companies demonstrate Jeff's passion and vision for safety by executing the leadership that is required to achieve a trademark performance year."
The AGC DEI Awards recognize firms that have gone above and beyond in the past year to develop cultures of inclusion.
Recognized this year as DEI Impact Champions were Lunda Construction, Valley Paving, Donlar Construction, JE Dunn Construction, ArchKey Solutions-Parsons Electric and Goodwill-Easter Seals of Minnesota.
Moltron Builders Inc was presented with the 2024 Diverse Business of the Year Award, and the Ally of the Year Award went to Elizabeth Campbell (Ryan Companies US Inc.).
"Our members continue to demonstrate a high level of commitment to DEI in areas of workforce and small business contracting," said Yolanda McIntosh, AGC director of DEI. "These awards are well-deserved."
AGC also presented two Legislative Awards, honoring the tireless work of two state representatives. Rep. Larry Kraft received the Legislator of the Year Award in acknowledgment of the extensive work he did to get AGC's Worker Safety and Underground Utility bill signed into law. Rep. Frank Hornstein was honored with the Legislator of Distinction Award in recognition of his many decades of service to the construction industry, and his commitment to fighting for infrastructure funding at the state level.
AGC and MnDOT also honored three contracting firms and multiple municipalities and individuals for their winning projects in the joint AGC/MnDOT Bridge Awards for projects completed in 2023.
Redstone Construction was awarded in the "Low-Cost Structure (less than $1.5M)" category for Bridge #05020 carrying 4th Street over TH 10 in St. Cloud. Lunda Construction Co was awarded in both the "Medium Cost Structure (between $1.5 and $5M)" category for Bridge #70054, a pedestrian trail bridge over U.S. Hwy 196 in Shakopee, and in the "High-Cost Structure (over $5M)" for Bridge #25042 over Hay Creek and Withers Harbor Drive in Red Wing.
For more information, visit agcmn.org/events/2024-award-recipients.
For more information on Mathiowetz Construction, visit constructionequipmentguide.com/fourth-generation-leads-company-into-second-century/66994.
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