Rising Young Professional Profiles (pt. 2): Carlie Ridgeway and Connor Hart

By Brenden Nickels, Senior Office Assistant

In December of 2024, Finance and Commerce named Kraus-Anderson’s Project Managers, Carlie Ridgeway (Bemidji) and Connor Hart (Minneapolis), as Rising Young Professionals. 

Carlie Ridgeway 

After completing her associate’s degree at Itasca Community College, Ridgeway began working as a sales and design consultant. Her time in consulting inspired her to pursue an education and career in construction management, and in a matter of a few years, she worked her way to a bachelor’s degree and a job at Kraus-Anderson. 

She started as an intern in the Duluth office in the summer of 2020 while studying at Minnesota State Mankato, graduating in 2021, then joining KA full-time in 2022, where she began as a Project Engineer, working her way up to assistant project manager in 2023, and then project manager in 2024. 

In her time with Kraus-Anderson, Ridgeway has worked on numerous projects, including the remodels for Sanford Health-Bemidji Medical Center and the Bemidji Tourist Information Center, the expansion of Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin, and the new build for Bemidji’s recently opened Northwoods Battered Women’s Shelter. 

In the latter, Ridgeway was not only involved with the construction of the facility but also helped with fundraising and served on the organization’s Gala Committee. 

Other foundations that Ridgeway is a member of include the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids, the Young Professionals Network of the Bemidji Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Northwest Minnesota Construction Alliance.

Ridgeway demonstrates a strong commitment to her community and works hard to pave an influential and inspiring career path.

Connor Hart 

Hart has long been associated with the Kraus-Anderson Shield, having had a father, Terry, who worked for a quarter-century at the organization. Hart began carving his own path at Kraus-Anderson as a laborer in 2014, then interned for the company in 2016 and 2017 while attending the University of Minnesota.  

After graduating from the U of M with a bachelor’s degree in construction management, Hart joined KA full-time as a project engineer, was promoted to assistant project manager in 2020, and then to project manager in 2023. 

In his career, Hart has worked on many notable projects and with many long-term clients. Some of the projects include: 

  • HQ Apartments– A multi-family, 17-story housing complex located on the KA Block in downtown Minneapolis featuring a library, bar, pool deck, and fitness center 
  • Friendship Village– A 380,000-SF project that added a new five-story independent and assisted living facility, a three-story skilled nursing building, and a three-story health center with state-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy facilities and memory care suites 
  • WarHorse Casino– An expansion that doubled the size of the original facility, adding an additional 500 parking spots and features 870 slot machines, six to ten table games, and an expanded dining area 

Hart has also been known to use his construction skills to serve the community. He has volunteered for Hearts and Hammers, a nonprofit that rebuilds or rehabilitates houses for seniors, the disabled, and veterans who need assistance. He served as KA’s team captain in both 2021 and 2022. 

With a variety of project and volunteer experience, Hart has cemented himself as a leader in the Kraus-Anderson organization.

CATEGORY: Awards