Meet the KA Interns: Part 2

Summer is intern season at Kraus-Anderson, when students expand their coursework through real-world experience in offices and on jobsites. Interns gain exposure to many aspects of operations, project delivery and professional development while working alongside project teams and experienced mentors.

“KA’s reputation makes us a destination employer for some of the most promising students in our industry,” said Al Gerhardt, chief operating officer of Kraus-Anderson Construction Company. “Yet we know it is the personal relationships they make during their time here that become instrumental in shaping their intern experience and convincing them to make KA their career choice. Our employees set the example with insight, perspective and day-to-day work ethic that cannot be found in the classroom.”

Here is a snapshot of several 2016 interns.

Michael Stenbeck, Project Engineer Intern

Office: Minneapolis
Studying: Senior, construction engineering with a general business minor, Iowa State University
Mentor: David Stark
Working on: Preconstruction for the Minnesota Vikings Headquarters project

Takeaway: “From the beginning, Kraus-Anderson has felt like a family to me. Everyone is friendly and willing to help. Even though I am only an intern, they make me feel like a critical part of the team and that my work is needed for the project to go smoothly.”

Highlight: “The most valuable part of being an intern has been gaining exposure to many aspects of the business. Although I primarily worked in the office, Human Resources made it possible for me to spend a week on-site. Through office and jobsite experience, I gained exposure from preconstruction to closeout, initial site grading to punch list.”

Brittany Wickman, Project Engineer Intern

Office: Circle Pines
Studying: Civil engineering, Iowa State University
Mentor: Bob Janssen
Working on: CityPlace

Takeaway: “KA’s culture is that everyone is kind. Employees want to help you grow and do your best in your career.”

Payton Hosch, Project Engineer Intern

Office: Circle Pines
Studying: Senior, construction major with a business administration minor, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Mentor: Dustin Phillips
Working on: Stillwater High School

Responsibilities: Quantity takeoffs and cost-history work, safety audits, progress photos, reviewing potential change orders, proposals and requests for information, plus other project tasks for the project manager.

Advice for a new intern: “Come into the job with an open mind, ask a lot of questions and write everything down. It will benefit you later.”

Preston Jenneman, Project Engineer Intern

Office: Minneapolis
Studying: Senior, construction management, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Mentor: Jessica Masterson

Responsibilities: Worked with project managers, project engineers and project assistants on bidding and estimating efforts. Work varied by project and assignment, with most work supporting preconstruction.

Takeaway: “Everyone is kind and helpful. I am not afraid to ask questions because I know I will receive a respectful and valuable response.”

Joshua Carr, Project Engineer Intern

Office: Circle Pines
Studying: Senior, construction major, University of Wisconsin-Stout
Previous internships: 2014 and 2015
Mentor: Pat Mulcahey, senior project manager
Working on: Wayzata High School addition and remodeling project
Career goal: Become a project manager leading projects of various sizes

Responsibilities: Helped facilitate baseball-field work, manage the punch list, review submittals, compile cost-history information, submit weekly manpower reports, review potential change orders, prepare weekly reports and take progress photos.

Takeaway: “It is a culture where employees learn and grow. It is OK to make mistakes as long as I learn from them. It also feels like a family environment.”

Spencer Williams, Finance Intern

Office: Minneapolis
Studying: Recent graduate, bachelor of science in finance, Providence College
Mentors: Greg Nilson, vice president of KA Mortgage, and John Rogoz, vice president of finance, KA Construction

Responsibilities: Conducted finance analysis and risk management for KA Construction, including analysis of financial statements and ratios to assess potential subcontractors’ liquidity, solvency and cash flow. Also supported mortgage underwriting for KA Mortgage Company and commercial-property valuations based on income and expense analysis.

Takeaway: “KA is open and welcoming, and I immediately felt at home when returning to work again this summer. My coworkers demonstrate positivity, hard work, helpfulness and dedication to KA and one another. I strive to meet those qualities as well.”

Tom Tessier, Project Engineer

Office: Bemidji
Studying: Graduating August 2016, project management with a construction emphasis, Bemidji State University
Mentor: Steve Trudeau, senior project manager

Responsibilities: Supported Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design submittals, operations and maintenance manuals, contracts, submittal logs, bidding and estimating, punch-list walk-throughs, subcontractor conference calls and coordination with subcontractors and architects.

Takeaway: “It is a positive work environment. Everyone is approachable and fun to work with.”

Highlight: “Working as a team to complete the job on time and within budget.”

John Burkhardt, Accounting Intern

Office: Minneapolis
Studying: Junior, business administration and management, with accounting and finance minors, High Point University
Mentors: John Rogoz and Logan Carter

Responsibilities: Reconciled financial reports and wrote off fixed assets.

Takeaway: “There is an amazing foundation of trust built through relationships across the office. Employees truly personify KA core values.”

Advice for a new intern: “Do not be shy about asking questions. Employees are always willing to help.”

Patrick McFadden, Field Engineer Intern

Office: Minneapolis
Studying: Senior, construction management, Northern Michigan University
Mentors: Brian Robinette at HealthPartners Neuroscience and Allen Zaffke at the KA Block
Working on: HealthPartners Neuroscience and the KA Block
Career goal: Become a superintendent in commercial construction

Takeaway: “KA is proud of its culture and history. Every day, I see people working to make the company better and looking toward the future.”

Highlight: “Working with seasoned and respected superintendents, project managers and project assistants was invaluable. Watching their insight, problem-solving and approach to difficult situations was an important learning experience.”

Learn more about internship opportunities, summer interns reflecting on their experience, construction career pathways and the ACE Mentor Program.