Kraus-Anderson's Gary Benson elected Chair of the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority

June 1, 2021

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (June 2021) – Gary Benson, Kraus-Anderson’s director of project planning and development, has been elected chair of the Minnesota Higher Education Facilities Authority (MHEFA). The MHEFA is a state authority that consider requests from private Minnesota colleges and universities seeking state revenue bonds to finance capital projects on their campuses.  Since its creation in 1971, more than $3.1 billion has been issued for capital projects and refinancing.

In 2019, Benson was appointed to MHEFA’s board by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Benson is serving his sixth term at the post, having also been appointed by three previous Minnesota governors.  Over the years, he has served in various capacities, including secretary, vice chair and chair.

Benson received his B.A. in Mathematics and Economics from Augsburg College and his M.S. in Industrial Engineering from the University of Minnesota.  He is the vice president of the Northeast Metro 916 Education Foundation, and member of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators, Minnesota Association of School Business Officials and Minnesota School Boards Association.

KA continues to lead the field of regional education construction projects and is currently ranked 12th in the nation in the construction of K-12 facilities by Building Design and Construction magazine.  Over the past five years, KA has completed over $1 billion in K-12 post-secondary projects.   KA’s comprehensive school construction services include facility analysis and budget approaches, leading to informed and successful project planning decisions.

About Kraus-Anderson

Established in 1897, Kraus-Anderson is an integrated construction management and real estate development enterprise working independently and in collaboration with a family of companies, including insurance, mortgage and realty operations. Kraus-Anderson, an EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability employer, is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn. and has regional offices in Madison, Wis., Bismarck, N.D., and Duluth, Bemidji and Rochester Minn.