Andy Stapleton
Vice President of Project Development
Meet Andy
Andy serves as Vice President of Project Development with Mortenson’s Advanced Manufacturing Group. With over 31 years of experience, he leads positioning and project acquisition efforts across the United States. Andy actively pursues opportunities across a broad spectrum of segments where we can leverage Mortenson’s integrated scope of services, including real estate development, site selection, procurement, and EPC/Design-Build project delivery to successfully deliver complex manufacturing projects for our valued customers.
Professional Experience
Since joining Mortenson in 1995 as a member of multiple semiconductor project teams, my unique technical background in MEP systems and passion for customer service has led to a robust career at Mortenson. I was selected to be part of Mortenson’s first international project, a substrates facility for Seagate Technology in Limavady, Northern Ireland. I have worked on a multitude of large, complex projects, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, California), the 500-acre DeKalb Data Center campus (Dekalb, Illinois), 23-story Lurie Children’s Hospital (Chicago, Illinois), University of Chicago Campus North Residential Commons and over $900 million of healthcare projects in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.
- Campus Expansion - Confidential Customer | Oregon
R&D campus expansion including semiconductor lab cleanroom building, central utility building, bulk gas yard, and office building with lab space - Campus Renovations for Confidential Semiconductor Manufacturer | Greater Portland
Multiple projects spanning 5 years with sensitive planning around 24/7 operations including utility supply upgrades, cleanroom expansions, and power distribution enhancements - DeKalb Data Center | DeKalb, Illinois
Set on a sprawling 500-acre campus in DeKalb, Illinois, just 65 miles west of Chicago, the DeKalb Data Center is a cornerstone of global infrastructure, powering applications and services for people worldwide. - Fermilab Integrated Engineering Research Center | Batavia, IL
Early design phase target value design process for a complex research building featuring multiple ISO-classified cleanrooms to support quantum physics R&D, constructed on an operational national lab campus with intricate utility relocation efforts to maintain ongoing campus activities - Seagate Technology (Multiple Projects) | Derry Northern Ireland / Bloomington, MN
Multiple advanced wafer fabrication facilities, including projects with Class 10 fabrication spaces, Class 1,000 support areas, RO/DI waste treatment systems, chemical distribution infrastructure, and specialized cleanroom air flow solutions
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Engineering - Mechanical Emphasis
Iowa State University
Board Positions:
- Minnesota CHIPS Coalition
- SEMI Fab Owners Alliance (FOA)
- SEMI Midwest Chapter
- Governing Council for Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
Industry Experience:
- Semiconductor
- Data Centers
- Life Sciences
- Aerospace and Defense
Mortenson Tenure:
31 years
When we take the focus off of ourselves and direct that energy towards others, there’s no limit to what we can achieve together.
Leading nationwide project development in advanced manufacturing
As Vice President, Project Development with Mortenson’s Advanced Manufacturing Group, I lead our industry positioning and project acquisition efforts across the United States. While semiconductor, life sciences and aerospace/defense serve as core market segments for the Advanced Manufacturing team, I actively pursue opportunities across a broad spectrum of segments where we can leverage Mortenson’s integrated scope of services, including real estate development, site selection, procurement, and EPC/Design-Build project delivery to successfully deliver complex manufacturing projects. One of the things I’m most excited about is combining our internal initiatives around Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) with the innovative solutions of our advanced manufacturing customers. From process line automation and right-sizing the environmental requirements to creating new workforce development programs and leveraging federal funding, the next wave of advanced manufacturing dynamic and going to positively change the world in which we live and work.
Expertise in MEP systems and customer service
Since joining Mortenson in 1995 as a member of multiple semiconductor project teams, my unique technical background in MEP systems and passion for customer service has led to a robust career at Mortenson. I was selected to be part of Mortenson’s first international project, a substrates facility for Seagate Technology in Limavady, Northern Ireland. I have worked on a multitude of large, complex projects, including the Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles, California), the 500-acre DeKalb Data Center campus (Dekalb, Illinois), 23-story Lurie Children’s Hospital (Chicago, Illinois), University of Chicago Campus North Residential Commons and over $900 million of healthcare projects in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.
Community involvement and advocacy extend beyond Mortenson
Based in Chicago, Illinois, I keep a busy agenda filled with speaking engagements and civic activities. I am an active member of the Minnesota CHIPS Coalition, SEMI Fab Owners Alliance (FOA), and the SEMI Midwest Chapter. Outside of Mortenson, I serve on the Governing Council for Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital and have been an active supporter of the Pat Summitt Foundation, focused on advancing research for treatment and a cure, providing care and support for patients and caregivers, and educating the public about Alzheimer’s disease.
Personal Passions
I’m passionate about supporting the growth of women in the construction industry, especially as the parent of three daughters who have all chosen careers in STEM fields. One of my most rewarding volunteer experiences has been working with participants in our workforce development program as they begin their construction careers after graduation. Their enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to the industry are incredibly inspiring and reinforce my passion for helping create opportunities for the next generation of construction professionals.
Interests
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Stand-up paddle boarding
- Hiking
- Camping
- Any other outdoor activities with my family
- Completed the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon and the Chicago River Swim