Aaron Schlink, John Nordby win the March 2026 Core Value Awards
Aaron Schlink, superintendent, has won the March 2026 Core Values Award. KA's Rachael Oelke and HealthPartners submitted the nomination, which reads:
“Aaron’s exceptional performance on the HealthPartners Specialty Center project in Woodbury, MN, exemplifies Kraus-Anderson’s core values in every aspect of his work.
Integrity: Throughout the construction of the 55,000 sq. ft. multi-specialty clinic, Aaron consistently demonstrated the highest standard of integrity. He handled complex challenges with honesty and fairness, ensuring all decisions were in the best interest of the client and the project. Aaron acted with integrity when navigating the construction of the project ensuring was ready for use despite project challenges.
Commitment: Aaron showed unwavering commitment to the success of the project and HealthPartners’ goals. He took ownership of his responsibilities, worked tirelessly to meet deadlines, and kept promises made to both the client and the team.
Teamwork: Aaron fostered an environment of collaboration and trust on the jobsite. He led subcontractors by example, creating a cohesive team atmosphere where everyone worked together to solve problems and overcome obstacles. His proactive approach helped ensure that issues were addressed efficiently, such as coordinating the resolution final inspectors concerns and the completion of the punchlist. Aaron’s ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with both the internal team and external partners was vital to the successful completion of the project.
Value People: Aaron truly values the people he works with, fostering a positive and respectful work environment. He took the extra steps to keep the jobsite clean and safe, demonstrating his commitment to the well-being of those on site. Even when faced with challenging circumstances, Aaron treated everyone with dignity and respect. His leadership style is based on appreciation, which was reflected in the feedback from the client, who highlighted his helpfulness and positive attitude.
A recent email from the client expressed deep gratitude for Aaron’s contributions during the critical completion of MRI room: “I want to KUDOS Aaron from KA. He has been amazing today. He went through all the rooms and took care of construction items, cleaned the MRI rooms, made connections for the humidity issue and missing ceiling tiles, ensured cabinets were installed, and even inspected the roof to check the quench vent. His coordination made everything happen that day with a smile and eagerness to help. MRI would not have been ready for ramp-up without him.” – Marina Ekeren – HealthPartners Operations Manager, MRI. Aaron’s outstanding efforts and his embodiment of Kraus-Anderson’s core values make him a terrific superintendent and an outstanding team member. His professionalism, dedication, and leadership have been instrumental in the successful completion of the HealthPartners Specialty Center.”
John Nordby, Project Manager, has also won the March 2026 Core Values Award. Laurie Trousil submitted the nomination, which reads:
“John Nordby is successfully leading KA’s Construction Partnering Program (CPP) mentoring relationship with SWMBE firm T. Scherber. During this past year, he has gone above and beyond to ensure the T. Scherber team is getting maximum value in the partnership:
– Hosting monthly mentoring meetings and attending quarterly CPP sessions at the AGC,
– Engaging KA SMEs to provide insights and solve real-time business issues, based on T. Scherber’s needs,
– Following up with KA teams regarding T. Scherber performance, giving them constructive feedback about work on our jobs, and
– In general, championing T. Scherber with internal and external stakeholders to help grow their business.
All this is taking place on top of his ‘day job’ as a K12 PM, as well as his other volunteer work with programs such as ACE Mentoring. Nordby is a gem and sincerely deserves KA’s Core Values Award.”
About the Kraus-Anderson Core Values Award
The KA Core Values Award is presented monthly to two KA employees. Nominated by their peers, business partners, and clients, award recipients are selected based on their representation and practice of KA’s core values:
Integrity: Do the right thing; always be respectful, honest, and fair
Commitment: Take ownership, work hard, and keep promises
Teamwork: Collaborate to foster trust and success for all
Value People: Support each other in a safe, positive environment where people are recognized and appreciated for their contributions
CATEGORY: Awards