Mortenson Executive Receives Celebrated Industry Award

Minneapolis, MN – Mark Donahue, a vice president and general manager for Mortenson’s Renewable Energy Groups has been selected as one of Building Design + Construction Magazine’s "40 Under 40" award recipients.

As one of 40 accomplished individuals profiled among the brightest stars in the architecture, engineering and construction industry the award recipients stood out among a group of 164 outstanding entrants in the sixth annual “40 Under 40” competition.  The selected candidates must have consistently demonstrated leadership, technical and ‘people’ skills; personal integrity; inventiveness; dedication; and sustained career progress. 

In his position as vice president and general manager, Donahue oversees more than 200 professionals and $300 million in renewable power projects each year, as well as non-wind renewable markets in the U.S. and Canada (solar power, next-generation biofuels and hydroelectric power).

“Mark has not only invested in his own career but he takes the time to share his passion by mentoring others. His willingness to share his experience and expertise is highly valued by Mortenson team members throughout the organization,” states Tom Wacker, senior vice president of Mortenson’s Renewable Energy Groups. “He is an exceptional leader within our company.”

Donahue is actively involved  in community outreach efforts, including Mortenson’s Catch the Wind program designed to educate grade school students about renewable energy. He has also coached Little League baseball for eight years running; and is an active volunteer in his local church, Pax Christi, as well as for the Minneapolis Jaycees.

Donahue joined Mortenson in 1995 after graduating from Purdue University with a B.S. in Construction Engineering and Management. Since his first job as an estimator, he has been consistently promoted within Mortenson. His past roles include field engineer, project engineer, project manager, senior project manager, construction executive, and director of operations.

Since entering the renewable energy market in 1995, Mortenson Construction has become a leading builder of wind power facilities in North America, having constructed more than 100 wind projects that generate nearly 11,000 megawatts of clean renewable power throughout the United States and Canada. With 100 percent of Mortenson’s business in the power sector coming from renewable energy, Engineering News-Record ranked Mortenson the 11th largest power contractor in the U.S. for 2010.  In addition to wind power, Mortenson’s Renewable Energy Groups, also construct facilities that generate solar power, biofuels and hydro-electric power.