In the company that bears his family’s name, there is no greater steward of its values and legacy than M. A. "Mort" Mortenson, Jr.  As chairman, his beliefs are firmly embedded in its makeup and also reflect his nearly 50 years at the company his father founded in 1954.

Mort joined the company in 1960 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. 

“Those of us fortunate enough to lead in companies with a great heritage are stewards of the legacy inherited from our predecessors,” said Mort. The cornerstone of that heritage is an adherence to old-fashioned values – belief, hard work and personal responsibility.

Mort's business philosophy is centered on the concept of building lasting value.  He has dedicated his career to laying the foundation and building a continuity plan for a company that would be perpetuated for generations to come and his beliefs are firmly embedded in the company’s makeup.

The company's purpose: To build structures and facilities for the advancement of modern society. 

The company's core business philosophy: Value creation for the benefit of team members, customers, the company and communities. 

The company's core long-term strategy: Growth in retained earnings. 

The company's guiding principles: To guide the actions of the team members to carry out their duties and responsibilities with integrity and trust – to always do the right thing. 

The company's goal: To be the foremost leader and model company in the construction industry. We will be the best at what we do.

The company’s reputation: Our future is secured by earning and maintaining a good reputation with our customers.

Mort holds in highest esteem the management team responsible for the company's strategic and business planning and oversight of business development, operations and business services, and the company’s project teams – the builders on the front lines who successfully carry out the construction.

He also regards the company’s adherence to continuous improvement in the conduct of its business, from operating policies and procedures for the safety, quality and productive execution of its construction projects, to its cost accounting system for project cost control and evaluation.

Mort cannot imagine a more satisfying or fulfilling business for every person who has a role in the design and construction of the structures and facilities that produce power, provide healthcare and education, and make our communities a better place to live. “We share a heritage reflecting generations of achievement in the construction business,” he said at the company’s 50th anniversary celebration. “When good things happen it is the result of the efforts of good people working together, united in a common purpose. Our future is indeed bright.”

Quietly committed to his community, Mort has given support to youth, hospitals, student scholarship programs, and the Minneapolis United Way and its agencies.  He is an elder in the Presbyterian Church, has served as president of the Board of Trustees of Christ Presbyterian Church, and has served on the boards of industry, social service, and health care organizations.

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Colorado – Boulder