Steve Eskildsen
Director of Business Development
Meet Steve
Steve serves as Director of Business Development for Mortenson’s Chicago office, leading growth strategy and building lasting customer partnerships. With more than 20 years of experience across varied and complex project environments, he connects market insight, customer needs, and strategic opportunities to position Mortenson as a trusted long-term partner.
Professional Experience
Steve has been with Mortenson since the onset of his career and now leads business development strategy for the Chicago office, with a focus on Chicago, Illinois, and Northern Indiana. His experience includes both private and public projects across a wide range of market sectors, including higher education, healthcare, manufacturing, sports and entertainment, institutional, office, and data centers. Steve is passionate about positioning Mortenson as a long-term partner and has been instrumental in developing meaningful relationships with customers across the region. Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management from North Dakota State University and is an active member of the American Heart Association, Executives’ Club of Chicago, Chicago Building Congress, and Construction Owners Association of America.
Education:
Bachelor of Science, Construction Management
North Dakota State University
Genuine connections are the key to success
More than 20 years of experience in construction has taught me that the most valuable aspects of any project are the relationships made with the customer, community, design team, trade partners, and team members. These relationships are vital to fostering a culture where everyone is seen, heard, and respected. At Mortenson, we operate with a "one team" mindset, and I am personally invested in building meaningful partnerships where every person is celebrated for their unique perspective and feels valued as an essential part of the team.
Go beyond the status quo
I whole-heartedly believe that as an individual and as a company, we must challenge ourselves with ongoing development and learning. The industry is changing, technology is evolving, and our ability to shape the future comes from an internal drive to redefine what's possible.
Create a positive space
Positivity is infectious, and it's not often you'll catch me without an optimistic outlook. I am energized by being around people and collaborating to solve a problem. When we create a positive space where we can be our authentic selves, we are excited to come to work each day and in turn, we deliver projects at the highest level!