Dana Schlegel, Project Accounting Manager, is a Top WIC Award Finalist
She is also receiving the KA Silver Service award this year for 25 years of dedication at KA
When you think of construction, chances are you think of tower cranes and cement mixers, not accounts payable and receivable. But if money’s not moving in a timely and accurate fashion, construction grinds to a halt. As leader of KACC’s Project Accountant team, Dana Schlegel’s leadership, mentorship, skillful work ethic and advocacy are shaping the company’s success and blazing a trail for other women in her profession.
Dana joined KA in 2000 as project accountant. Her early work on national retail expansion projects helped forge long-lasting client relationships and grow the reputation of KA’s then-new Duluth regional office. Also early in her KA career, Dana was trained to work on projects in the Construction Manager as Adviser (CMa) construction delivery method, in which the CM acts as the Owner’s representative rather than the CM-at-Risk (CMR) method where Contractors directly hold contracts with the subcontractors. “Dana’s expertise with CMa projects is unmatched,” says Ryan Szarzynski, KACC Senior Manager, Accounting. Her expertise with CMa greatly contributes to our success as this delivery process comprises hundreds of millions of dollars of KA’s volume each year in public schools, government and aviation projects.
Her project experience represents a wide range of project accounting expertise, including 90 government market sector projects totaling over $310 million, 17 FEMA projects totaling over $93 million, 109 office projects totaling over $220 million and 226 K-12 education projects totaling over $2.2 billion. Dana has been a key contributor to change management, championing new systems including implementation of Viewpoint in 2013/14 and the launch of GCPay subcontractor payment application software in 2020.
In 2019, Dana was put in charge of supervising the entire project accounting team. In 2022 she completed a year of additional study and practice as a member of the KA Leadership Development Program and was named a manager of project accounting. While her management responsibilities have continued to grow, Dana continues to excel as a project accountant on highly complex projects. In 2022-2023 Dana worked as a project accountant for the $34.6 million Historic Zenith DCHS Apartments project, which converted the former Duluth Central High School to 122 mixed-income apartment units.
Dana is an energetic advocate for her profession and for others, leading by example and with emotional intelligence. She digs into complex challenges and persists until she’s found the solution. A natural mentor, Dana is always willing to stop what she’s doing to assist others. When conflicts arise, she approaches them with a calm, balanced demeanor, never rushing to pick sides but fostering resolution and understanding. Dana embodies leadership, professionalism, and genuine caring for those around her.
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