Renewable Energy Groups
In 1995, Mortenson grasped a small opportunity to pioneer the company into the renewable energy market by constructing its first wind power facility. From that first opportunity, Mortenson has become well known within the renewable energy marketplace and is a leading builder of wind power projects in North America, capturing more than 25 percent of that market. Mortenson has been at the center of constructing nearly 100 wind power projects, generating approximately 10,000 megawatts, comprising over 4,500 wind turbines in 23 states and provinces across the United States and Canada. Mortenson is currently ranked 11th largest power contractor in Engineering News-Record's Top 400 Contractors list, a numerical ranking by dollar volume of the nation’s 400 largest contractors.
In 2006, Mortenson decided to expand its renewable energy footprint by becoming actively engaged in the biofuels, solar, and hydro markets. For the biofuels market place, Mortenson has focused its efforts on the “next generation” of biofuels by supporting customers in their research and development efforts, including the design and construction of their pilot scale facilities. In terms of the solar energy markets, Mortenson has been engaged in preplanning efforts, including the design and construction of photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP), for projects throughout the U.S. Mortenson sees the solar energy market as providing substantial potential for future success and has dedicated resources to these renewable energy markets, which is a key element of our long term strategic plan.
Mortenson builds renewable power facilities, but more specifically, its dedicated to providing efficient, quality solutions that meet the needs of each customer. Its team members truly believe in serving the customer's interests and building strong, enduring partnerships. With 90 percent of our work coming from repeat customers, the Renewable Energy Groups are committed to delivering the best experience in the industry.
Award-Winning Performance
In 2008, the Renewable Energy Groups were awarded the "Best Project - Energy" by the Design-Build Institute of America Upper Midwest Region for the Cedar Creek Wind Farm. In addition, our Kaheawa Wind Farm project received the "Governor Linda Lingle Innovation Award" for its efforts to increase Hawaii's energy independence, and the Tatanka Wind Farm was awarded the "Best 2008 Commercial Project" by the North Dakota Ready Mix & Concrete Products Association.
In 2007, we were awarded a Gold Hard Hat Award for Outstanding Industrial / Manufacturing Project for construction performance on the 300-megawatt Cedar Creek Wind Farm in Grover, Colorado. The annual Gold Hard Hat Awards is a competition to determine the best construction projects completed in a calendar year based on design quality and innovation, craftsmanship, the project's contribution to the community and the industry, solutions to unique design and construction challenges, and overall excellence.
Tim Maag
Vice President and General Manager
U.S. Wind (select customers)
Tim directs all facets of wind project development for the Renewable Energy Groups. He oversees the preconstruction and construction phases of our wind power facilities, and provides strategy for future business development. Before joining the Renewable Energy Groups, Tim served as the Director of Operations for Mortenson’s Milwaukee office and the General Manager of our Federal Contracting Group. Tim is an active member of the American Wind Energy Association and a past member of the Society of American Military Engineers. Why he chose Mortenson: "Because Mortenson puts trust at the center of every relationship."
Selected project experience includes: Camp Grove Wind Farm in Camp Grove, IL; Tatanka Wind Farm in Dickey, ND and McPhereson, SD; Pomeroy Wind Farm in Pomeroy, IA
Mark Donahue
Vice President, General Manager
U.S. Wind (select customers)
Canadian Wind
Solar and other renewables
Mark oversees all aspects of project development for our U.S. and Canadian wind customers. He has also been charged with developing opportunities in the emerging renewable energy markets. These growing markets include solar, next generation biofuels, and hydroelectric. He chose Mortenson because, "Mortenson has given me every opportunity to work in industries that I have a passion for and in markets that are leading edge, such as microelectronics and renewable energy."
Selected Project Experience includes: Red Hills Wind Farm in Custer County, OK; Carroll Wind Farm Expansion in Carroll, IA; Elk River Wind Farm in Elk County, KS
John Martin
Vice President of Operations
U.S. Wind
Canadian Wind
Solar and other renewables
John provides operations and administration oversight for the Renewable Energy Groups. He manages labor relations and subcontractor coordination, and oversees our industry leading quality assurance, safety management, and cost control systems. John joined Mortenson in 1972 and spent many years in commercial and heavy industrial construction. He applies this expertise to the renewables industry. Why he chose Mortenson: “I began my career here as a laborer – few other companies would have provided me with such tremendous career growth opportunities. We have an incredible culture."
Select project experience includes: Grand Meadow Wind Farm in Dexter, MN; Shiloh II Wind Project, Bird’s Landing, CA; Red Hills Wind Farm in Custer, OK
Kevin Deters
Director of Operations
U.S. Wind (select customers)
Canadian Wind
Solar and other renewables
Kevin oversees a portion of Mortenson’s wind projects in the United States and all of the wind projects in Canada. He manages customer relations; labor and subcontractor coordination; personnel; quality assurance, safety, contracts, and financial management systems. Kevin is a licensed Civil Professional Engineer in Minnesota.
Select project experience includes: Cedar Creek Wind Farm in Grover, CO; Sweetwater Wind Farm – Phases 1,3 & 4 in Sweetwater, TX; Tatanka Wind Farm in Ashley, ND; Sherbino Mesa Wind Project in Fort Stockton, TX; Glacier Wind Farm in Elthridge, MT
Todd Gandrud
Director of Operations
U.S. Wind (select customers)
Todd oversees the operations of Mortenson’s wind energy projects. He provides direction at all levels of project development from project start to completion. Todd’s responsibilities include the management of personnel; subcontractor and labor relations; and quality assurance, safety management, and cost control systems. Todd also has extensive experience as a Construction Executive, and provides leadership in project management and estimating.
Select project experience includes: Pomeroy Wind Farm in Pomeroy, IA; Spearville Wind Farm in Spearville Kansas; Farmer’s City Wind Farm in Tarkio, MO
Jerry Grundtner
Vice President of Project Development
U.S. Wind
Canadian Wind
Solar and other renewables
Jerry provides overall strategic direction for the Renewable Energy Groups project and business development activities in the wind power market. His vision brought Mortenson into the wind industry in the late 1990's, and he has overseen Mortenson’s unprecedented growth into a leading North American renewables contractor. He has been a board member of the American Wind Energy Association for the last four years. Why he chose Mortenson: “My personal values align with the company’s. I have found that Mortenson really cares about all its team members”.
Selected project experience includes Farmer’s City Wind Farm in Tarkio, MO; Carroll Wind Farm Expansion in Carroll, IA; Mount Storm Wind Project in Mount Storm, WV; Sherbino Mesa Wind Project in Fort Stockton, Texas; Cedar Creek Wind Farm in Grover, CO
Brent Bergland
Construction Executive
Canadian Wind
Growth opportunity in the Canadian wind market sparked the creation of Mortenson Canada Corporation in 2004. Brent leads our business development efforts in this expanding market by building strong Canadian industry partnerships and exploring new opportunities in this region. Brent is active in CanWEA and is a member of the CanWea Supply Chain Subcommittee. In addition, Brent is an experienced Construction Executive and oversees all aspects of project execution including scheduling, cost control, safety, contract administration, quality assurance, and client satisfaction.
Selected project experience includes: Prince Wind Park – Phases I and II in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario; Carroll/Pomeroy III Wind Farm Expansion in Carroll, IA; Mount Storm Wind Project, Mount Storm, WV; Silverstar Wind Farm in Stephenville, TX; Wildorado Wind Ranch in Vega, TX

Tom Schmall
Director of Project Development
Solar and other renewables
A member of Mortenson’s leadership team, Tom is focused on expanding our renewable energy footprint. He cultivates customer relationships and project development in the emerging renewable energy market sectors such as solar, hydroelectric, next generation biofuels, and geothermal. With nearly 20 years at Mortenson, he has successfully delivered projects across multiple market segments throughout the U.S., focusing on the early stages of project planning and execution. He has extensive experience in commercial construction with special emphasis on public assembly facilities. He is a member of Mortenson’s Preconstruction Advancement Team and supports our continued efforts to build strong customer relationships. Why he chose Mortenson: “Mortenson is part of my extended family. Our key strength is that we always look to help our customers succeed. If they do, then we have a successful business”.
Selected project experience includes: University of Minnesota TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN; the FedExForum in Memphis TN; and the Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Campus in Minneapolis, MN
Elling Olson
Director of Business Development
U.S. Wind
Elling positions the Renewable Energy Groups for future business opportunities. He fosters relationships with our new and established customers, and manages our multifaceted approach to business development strategy including marketing, public relations, and advertising. He is a member of the Mortenson Customer Leadership Team, Green Advancement Team (GAT), American Wind Energy Association, and serves on the Minnesota Economic Advisors Panel on Renewable Energy.
Why he chose Mortenson: “We are a company that strives to continuously improve. We highly value relationships and doing the right thing.”
Steve Hansen
Business Development Manager
Solar & other renewables
Steve’s responsibilities are to discover and develop new business opportunities in the emerging renewable energy markets of solar, hydroelectric, and next generation biofuels. As Business Development Manager, he connects Mortenson’s Renewable Energy Groups with owners and developers of viable, utility-scale, non-fossil fuel derived energy production platforms and then fosters these relationships from preconstruction through project completion. Steve also positions Mortenson for projects in the emerging renewable energy markets with established customers who have expanded their market interests to include renewables other than wind energy.
He chose Mortenson because, “I appreciate Mortenson’s commitment of resources and talent to our Renewable Energy Groups and am excited to be part of 'Building What’s Next'.”
- Camp Grove Wind Farm Camp Grove, Illinois
- Cedar Creek Wind Farm Grover, Colorado
- Fenton Wind Power Project Chandler, Minnesota
- Goodnoe Wind Project Phase I Goldendale, Washington
- Jersey Atlantic Wind Farm Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Kaheawa Wind Farm Maui, Hawaii
- MinnDakota Wind Farm Brookings, South Dakota
- Pakini Nui Wind Farm Na'alehu, Hawaii
- Pomeroy Wind Farm Pomeroy, Iowa
- Prince Wind Farm Phase I & II Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
- Shiloh Wind Farm Phase I Birds Landing, California
- Smoky Hills Wind Farm Lincoln, Kansas
- Spearville Wind Farm Spearville, Kansas
- Sweetwater Wind Farm Phase 4 Sweetwater, Texas
- Tatanka Wind Farm Ashley, North Dakota