M. A. “Mort” Mortenson, Jr. Receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Minneapolis, MN – Mortenson Construction has announced that M. A. “Mort” Mortenson, Jr., chairman, was recognized as the Lifetime Achievement award recipient for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2010 Award in the Upper Midwest Region.  According to Ernst & Young, the awards program recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.  Mortenson was selected as the Lifetime Achievement recipient noting his efforts in building Mortenson Construction into a globally recognized leader in the construction industry. 

Mortenson received the award at a special gala event on Thursday, June 10, 2010 at the Minneapolis Marriot City Center.

“This is such an honor,” said Mortenson.  “There are so many others deserving of this award, and I am truly humbled to have been chosen.  I gratefully share this tribute with my family, my colleagues, and the entire Mortenson team.”

Mortenson joined the company in 1960 after earning his engineering degree, and at the conclusion of two years of service as an officer aboard the USS Lansing DER-388 in the U.S. Navy.  In 1969, he succeeded his father as president of the company.  In the years that have followed, Mortenson has dedicated his career to laying the foundation and building an organization that would be perpetuated for generations to come.

One of Mortenson’s key innovations was the creation of the Center for Construction Innovation (CCI) in 1995.  A company think-tank, the work of CCI has led to new foundational strategies that not only have defined the direction for Mortenson Construction, but also in large part, the industry.  Research into new technologies, lean construction, and new integrated delivery processes have helped define many of today’s industry standards.

Today, Mortenson Construction is ranked as the 24th largest contractor in the U.S. by Engineering News-Record and is one of the largest design builders of wind energy in North America with nearly 100 completed projects and approximately 10,000 MW of installed capacity. Having worked across the US, in the countries of Northern Ireland, Canada, Brazil, Japan, and Australia, Mortenson now has a permanent office in Shanghai China in order to serve its U.S. customers. 

Quietly committed to his community, Mortenson has given support to youth, hospitals, student scholarship programs, and the Minneapolis United Way and its agencies.  He has served on the boards of industry, social service, and health care organizations.

About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® Awards Program
Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur Of The Year® is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.