Construction Management - Technology and Occupational Sciences

Paul Bentley

Mr. Bentley received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University.  Paul has spent more than a decade with the Walbec family of companies, and is an Area Manager operating out of Marquette.

After graduating from NMU, Paul worked as a Project Engineer for The Walsh Group in Chicago, IL.  He spent several years working in multiple locations across the United States, providing project and fleet management, along with site supervision to a wide variety of large civil projects.  Mr. Bentley relocated back to the Upper Peninsula, and joined the Walbec Group.  Paul worked for NorthEast Asphalt around the western Upper Peninsula before becoming a Project Manager and Estimator for Payne and Dolan’s Marquette Division.

Kayla (Voss) Billmeier

Mrs. Billmeier received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University. She is currently a Project Manager with McGough based in Minneapolis, MN. Previously, Kayla worked for Lunda Construction Company building bridges and light rail transit stations. Prior to Lunda, she spent 10+ years with Mortenson in their Renewable Energy Group and commercial contracting division.

Justin Blubaugh

Mr. Blubaugh received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University, and is currently a Superintendent II with Mortenson's Wind Energy Group.   His first position after leaving NMU was with Mortenson as a Superintendent, Justin’s military background as a Staff Sergeant also helped shape his career path.

He was the Director of Construction and Facilities for the Veridea Group, LLC for a couple of years in between stints with Mortenson.  Upon relocating back to the Upper Peninsula, Justin performed preconstruction services, site evaluation and project management for Veridea.  He oversaw development in the Hospitality, Commercial Real Estate and Multi-Family sectors. 

Kevin Bredeson

Mr. Bredeson received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University. He is the Vice President of Preconstruction for BE&K in the greater Chicago, IL area.  Kevin was formerly the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Skender Construction in Chicago, IL.  Kevin had nationwide responsibilities for that division.  He is an expert in the field of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and has earned several credentials in support of his expertise over the last 20+ years.  Previously, Mr. Bredeson was the Vice President for Virtual Design and Construction with Suffolk Construction.  Kevin provides the necessary guidance and support to assure that the goals of each client are met or exceeded.

Curtis Brown

Mr. Brown received a Bachelor of Arts in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University.  He is currently Senior Project Manager for Barton Malow's Energy Group, in their Grandville, MI office.

Curtis began his career with the Boldt Company, first as an intern then as Field Engineer, Financial Controls Specialist and a Project Manager.  During that time, his focus was the industrial market in the Upper Midwest, where he managed projects in mining, coal-fired generation, hydroelectric generation, combined heat and power (CHP), automotive and pulp and paper.  Curtis has participated in Lean Construction Institute (LCI) events and presented on pre-fabrication for the Construction Users Round Table (CURT) annual conference. Curtis has had an active role in recruiting at NMU with the companies he has worked for since his graduation.

Jeremy Bubb

Mr. Bubb received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University.  He has worked for Power Construction (Chicago, IL), The Walsh Group (Chicago, IL), Mortenson (Denver, CO), Lunda Construction Company (Rosemount, MN) and is now a Project Manager with Michels Corporation working throughout the Upper Midwest.  Jeremy has extensive experience with Design-Build bridgework over the last number of years coordinating with the State of Minnesota.  He worked directly with design and estimating teams during preconstruction, and with all of the subcontractors and suppliers during the construction phases. Jeremy has also spent significant time working on the O’Hare Modernization Project, in Chicago, IL, constructing a new runway, multiple taxiways, relocating a major road and moving most of the utilities.

Amber Burden

Mrs. Burden received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University, and is now a Project Manager/Estimator for Hallack Contracting in Hart, Mich.  Amber brings nearly two decades of site/civil construction experience and is responsible for managing all of Hallack Contracting’s municipal and MDOT projects, from bidding to close-out. 

She has also assumed the role of Safety Officer within the company.  Amber developed, and is responsible for enforcement of the company-wide safety-training program. 

Chris Cardinal

Mr. Cardinal received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University.  He is now the Vice President of Mark Cardinal Concrete Construction in Fon du Lac, WI.  As a full-service concrete contractor, Chris is responsible for the oversight of more than 25,000 cy of concrete footings walls and slabs each year.  He has presented to both the Wisconsin Redi-Mix and National Redi-Mix Associations on the topic of Concrete Parking Lots.  Chris is a Board Member for the East Ridge Home Builders Association and the Construction Technology program at Moraine Park Technical College.  He is also on the Concrete Paving Committee for the American Society of Concrete Contractors.  Through one of Chris’ property development transactions, he was able to encourage North Fon du Lac’s high school to restart their Building Trades program by financing the project, and donating the profit back to the program.

Jim Chernosky

Mr. Chernosky received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University.  He also holds a Master's Degree in Construction Management from Eastern Michigan University.  Jim is a Senior Project Manager for AUCH Construction in Pontiac, MI.  Upon graduation, Jim took a position as a Project Engineer at Walbridge Aldinger, and then went to work for a waterproofing subcontractor as an Estimator / Project Manager.  Jim also owned and operated a residential remodeling company, but missed the challenge of large-scale commercial projects and joined AUCH in 1998.  For the majority of Jim's commercial construction career, he has focused on healthcare projects in the metro Detroit area, but also has experience in K-12 schools, high education, and corporate office buildings.  Since 2001 Jim has been an Adjunct Professor in the Construction Management program at Oakland Community College and Eastern Michigan University.

Sam Clark

Sam Clark continues the Clark Construction Company lineage as President and CEO, being the fourth to serve over the firm’s 75 years. He served in the U. S. Army from 1991 to 1994 and was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. Upon his honorable discharge, Sam enrolled in Northern Michigan University where he obtained a B. S. in Building Construction Management.
Sam joined Clark Construction Company as a Project Manager in 1996 and has held progressive roles during his rise to President/CEO. During his career, Sam has been involved in many market sectors and is most notably known for his expertise in casino, resort venues.
Through developing, implementing, and living our core values, Sam has proven himself as a visionary leader within the organization.  The company mission “We Build on a Foundation of Trust” aligns the team in success.  Sam has led the organization through significant cultural changes with a strategic focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.   

Randy Durecka

Mr. Durecka received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University.  He began his career as an intern with the Walsh Group in Chicago, IL.  He remained at Walsh for 14 years and worked his way up to the role of Project Manager in their heavy civil division.  Randy is currently the Vice President of Project Management for Plote Construction in the Chicago area.

Some of Randy's highlighted projects include new runway configurations at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, The Blanchett Bridge in St. Charles, MO, the circular interchange of I90/I94 in Chicago, and The Merchants Bridge in St. Louis, MO, which carries rail traffic over the Mississippi River.

Adam Glover

Mr. Glover received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University, and is a Superintendent with Power Construction in Chicago, IL.  He joined Power in 2008, and highlight projects include the historic renovation of the Wrigley Building in downtown Chicago, and the Kellogg Building for the Graduate Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.  Adam has helped the Power team of Superintendent’s transition to a high-tech approach, as tablets and BIM kiosks have become the tools of choice on their projects over the last five years.  

Jim Johnson

Mr. Johnson received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University, and is now a Project Manager for Closner Construction and Sales.  Upon graduation, Jim was a Project Engineer for Concrete Structures of the Midwest, and managed all sorts of concrete operations in Chicago prior to his relocation back to Marquette in 2010.

Since joining the Closner team, Jim has managed projects at the Humboldt Mill (Mining), the Jacobetti Veterans Center (Healthcare), the Landmark Inn (Hospitality) and the Upper Peninsula Health Systems replacement hospital.  He is a LEED AP BD&C.  Mr. Johnson has also become part of the ownership team of Closner.

Tom Keranen

Mr. Keranen’s career spans 40+ years between the fields of engineering, project management and construction law.  He maintains active involvement with a variety of organizations and agencies; the American Bar Association, the Associated General Contractors, the Michigan Road Builders Association and the American Arbitration Association.

As both an attorney and arbitrator, Mr. Keranen has built a broad array of relationships.  Notably, he was the legal counsel for the consortium of organizations that created Consensus Docs®, which are contract documents that incorporate a shared risk approach to the construction process for Designers, Constructors and Owners.   

Joel Klahn

Mr. Klahn is a Northern Michigan University alum that has applied his talent and Executive leadership to well over $1 billion worth of construction throughout his career.  Joel is currently a Consultant for a variety of projects in a four-state region and is semi-retired. He has actively recruited students from NMU’s Construction Management program to a variety of firms for over a decade.  Mr. Klahn readily shares his passion for continuing education and the Construction Industry with current students, faculty and industry peers.  He is an active presenter at national conferences on the topics of industrial, pharmaceutical and healthcare construction, in addition to LEAN principles in construction.

Mary LeFevre

Mrs. LeFevre received a Bachelor of Science from Northern Michigan University and is the Regional Vice President for Business Development with The Christman Company in Detroit. Mary has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry with progressively responsible positions in marketing and business development. She has vast expertise in a variety of construction markets including healthcare, commercial, education, government, and historic preservation. Mary also serves as a core member of The Christman Company’s leadership team and DEI Council, responsible for strategic planning and support for clients and partners at both the local and national levels. Her professional affiliations include the Corporate Real Estate for Women - Detroit Chapter, Associated General Contractors, Women in Healthcare – Michigan Chapter, CoreNet Global – Michigan Chapter, and the Engineering Society of Detroit. 

Bob Mantz

Mr. Mantz received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University.  He is a Project Superintendent with Hensel Phelps out of their Plains District office in Colorado. 

After graduation, Bob took an Internship with Hensel Phelps, which led to a full time position as a Field Engineer.  Since then, he has worked on a variety of different projects in the field and office across the country; including mission critical, healthcare, hotel/hospitality, and government work for the United State Corps of Engineers and Air Force. Over the years, he has developed an interest in teaching and assisting Hensel Phelps with development and implementation of training in the field and office.

Jon Nehls

Mr. Nehls received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University, and is a Field Operations Manager for Mortenson Construction.  Jon is responsible for the overall direction of field forces of Mortenson’s Wisconsin operations. Jon’s years of construction experience include a broad range of projects across the municipal, healthcare, data center, laboratory, corporate, museum, and renewable energy markets.  Jon is a member of the United States Green Building Council, the Milwaukee Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, as well as the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Concrete Institute.  He also serves on the WEPA (Wisconsin Environmental Policy Act) Governance Board.

Luke Oberdorfer

Mr. Oberdorfer received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and a Master of Business Administration from Northern Michigan University.  He is a Senior Project Manager for Miron Construction in Neenah, WI, and his projects have been located in Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin.  Luke played a key role in the development of the Jamrich Hall replacement on NMU’s campus, as he was both a Project Engineer for Miron and a graduate student working toward his MBA.  His building experience ranges from a diaper machine facility in Texas to residence halls for a Big-10 university.  Luke has gained experience building public high schools, replacing MEP systems at a historic museum, constructing medical facilities and designing/building a Starbucks.

Michael Oswald

Mr. Oswald received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University, and is now the Chief Executive Officer for Hill and Wilkinson in Dallas, TX.  He has taken an active role in the strategic growth of Hill and Wilkinson by building relationships that have helped increase construction sales volume by at least 20% each year for the last five.  His ascent from Project Engineer spans more than a decade, and follows his career as a former MVP and Academic All-American for NMU’s football team.  Mr. Oswald is very active in recruiting talent from across the nation including Northern Michigan University.

Andy Patt

Mr. Patt received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University. He is Project Manager for the Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Andy has been a part of The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company since graduating.  He has worked throughout the Mid-Atlantic & Southeast with the Federal Projects Group on a variety of Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build projects. Project clients have ranged from the Marine Corps at Camp LeJeune, the Marine Corps at Air Station Cherry Point, the Navy at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and currently the Navy at Naval Station Norfolk. Andy spent the past 10 years working from Field Engineer to Superintendent. Andy is part of Whiting-Turner’s Advocate and Field Connections Program; where he provides experience and expertise to counsel, teach, and guide new employee’s personal and professional development.

Cole Thoreson

Mr. Thoreson received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University.   He is currently the Vice President for MJE’s Drilling and Excavating Divisions in Iron Mountain, MI.  Cole’s division has a nationwide reach that installs deep and shallow foundations for substations, transmission lines and HVDC converter stations.  He was previously a Project Manager for MJ’s Power and Transmission divisions for a number of years.  Prior to joining MJ Electric, Cole spent time as a Project Manager for Michels Corporation out of their Brownsville, WI office.

Mikayel Vietzke

Mr. Vietzke received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University.  He started his career in the field as a Carpenter in Green Bay, WI, and later became a Project Manager/Estimator for Roy Ness Contracting in Escanaba, MI.  Mikayel is now the area Superintendent for Miller Pipeline and manages work throughout the Upper Peninsula.  He oversees installations of gas and power lines with traditional open cut methods, as well as horizontal direction drilling (among other trenchless technologies).  Mikayel is responsible for bidding, negotiating, staffing and managing all aspects of Miller Pipeline’s scopes of work for DTE and SEMCO.

Ken Kasten (June 17, 1982 - June 2, 2021)

Mr. Kasten received a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Northern Michigan University.  He was a Project Manager and Estimator for Boldt in Appleton, WI after his graduation and maintained the same role with Gundlach Champion in Iron Mountain, MI until his passing in 2021. Prior to entering Northern, Ken obtained the rank of Sergeant in the U.S. Army serving as a Military Police officer in Germany, Iraq and Louisiana (Hurricane Katrina).  He had extensive experience with pre-construction, the LEED certification process, productivity tracking, scheduling and integrated lean project delivery.

Ken passed away peacefully on June 2, 2021, at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center in Iron Mountain with his wife at his side. Kenny had fiercely battled Spindle Cell Sarcoma for his last 21 months.