Brian Runzel

Brian leads high-level project management efforts for energy storage projects, ensuring successful delivery from inception to completion. As a strategic planner driven by the goal of project success, Brian fosters effective stakeholder communication and oversees project teams to ensure seamless execution, all while ensuring alignment with the customer's goals. 

Brian also meticulously manages project budgets, optimizing resource allocation and controlling costs to maximize profitability. He proactively identifies potential risks, devising and implementing mitigation strategies to prevent project delays and ensure smooth operations. Brian drives quality assurance, fosters customer relationships, and ensures compliance with safety standards.

Brian brings a wealth of experience in construction and facilities management across both public and private sectors. He joined Mortenson after serving as the Director of Construction for Metro Transit’s Southwest Light Rail Transit (SWLRT) project—a $2.8 billion initiative connecting four southwestern suburbs to downtown Minneapolis.

Before his role at Metro Transit, Brian was a Senior Facility Manager at Honeywell Aerospace, where he led a facilities team supporting $450 million in annual revenue.

Earlier in his career, Brian served as a Construction Executive with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, overseeing the Department’s $1.5 billion construction program in Iraq.

He also served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps, stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

Brian holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota.