To have been part of the growth since RJM was first founded.
You don’t know what the day will bring. Always evolving and interesting.
Married on the 1980’s Olympic rink in Lake Placid (for those of you who are hockey fans).
Nothing ever goes as planned so you need to learn how to be quick on your feet and adaptable and be able to blow out the flame when things get hot!
A lot of people don’t know that I am left-handed.
Every single person that I have had the privilege to work with has been so understanding and helpful whenever I have a question. Everyone I have met is so nice and they really seem like they care about you as an individual.
I enjoy being part of such a collaborative and forward-thinking culture. Everyone at RJM shares the same vision and is dedicated to bringing those visions to life.
Always keep a positive attitude, a smile on your face, and don’t be afraid of hard work.
I love spending time on the lake!
That I’ve never stopped learning.
There is constant diversity.
Almost every topic comes with a story.
The people are the best part about this business. I’m lucky to have such great co-workers and clients.
Always push yourself outside of your comfort zone and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
When I was in high school, I spent the summers traveling through rural Wisconsin searching for antique gas pumps and gas station memorabilia, just like the show American Pickers. I bought and sold over 100 gas pumps and I saved up enough money to pay for my first two years of college.
The versatility of the position.
Strong communication is key to success. Communication will ensure everyone involved is moving in the same direction to complete the project and exceed objectives.
I most enjoy collaborating with those on our team and the various connections made on every project. These relationships can contribute to one’s efficiency, and provide resources and outside perspectives to any given situation.
I’ve never broken a bone in my lifetime.
The fast pace and variety of work to do. Every day is different. If you like problem-solving, it is a good place for you.
RJM does work as a team. Some companies say they do, RJM practices it. There is a proverb that says “in the multitude of counselors there is success”. I believe in that. No one knows everything. It is good to use to your advantage multiple points of view when necessary. RJM is a good place to work. It is refreshing to be in a company that wants to grow.
I enjoy watching horse racing with my 3 daughters.
I want to be a leader on construction projects guiding all the pieces to a successful project that’s within budget.
Our capstone project management class has been my favorite. We work in small teams and compete in the pursuit competition that is put on by a general contractor.
I’m really excited to get my foot in the door of the commercial construction industry and begin to understand the preconstruction phase of construction better. I am also excited to take what I’ve been learning at Dunwoody for the past year and a half and put it to use.
I love the people at RJM . In preconstruction I enjoy all the various project types I have worked on throughout the years.
The construction industry is a smaller group than I realized. It is great to build relationships with our industry partners, get to know them, and work through all of the project fun!
In college I worked at Mariucci Arena as a Zamboni driver.
I enjoy the atmosphere and genuine camaraderie in the office and also the strong long-term client relationships that RJM has created over the years. Some of my most enjoyable memories have been through work relationships and activities.
I’ve learned to never make assumptions on anything related to a construction project and always plan ahead and follow-up with detailed commitments.
In High School, I rode my bicycle 10 miles each way to football practice every day and after practice, unloaded bags of pickles, handpicked during the day, for processing at a local farm until late in the evening as my first job.
The people at RJM are what make it a great company to work for. I appreciate the collaborative, team-oriented approach we use to manage our projects. My favorite part of being a project engineer is digging into the plans and knowing the project inside and out. I enjoy the challenging, fast-paced nature of project management. Seeing the end user’s eyes light up when they see the product in progress and following up with them to see how much they enjoy the finished product make all the struggles of the project worthwhile.
My experience at RJM has taught me so many lessons and I continue to gain knowledge and grow personally & professionally every day. The most important lesson I’ve learned is that each and every person is vitally important to the success of a project. Every role is always dependent on another and getting complete buy-in from everyone involved is extremely important. We all have to row the boat in the same direction.
I married my high school sweetheart last October. I like playing acoustic guitar in my free time. I also like woodworking, building anything and everything I can (furniture, crafts, etc.) I will play any sport and I am very competitive when I play no matter how bad I am. (I hate losing!)
I enjoy the collaboration between the different departments and team members in achieving our common goals.
The keys to all successful projects are teamwork, communication, and honesty between the contractor, owner, architect, and subcontractors.
I have started learning guitar during the state’s stay-at-home restrictions.
Rolling with the punches is key.
I’ve been on stage with Don Rickles in Las Vegas.
To get out in the community and talk to people who are planning & designing structures and get to see them come to life in 3D form is very rewarding for me.
My role gives me the opportunity to be a resource and help others. There are so many ways this can be done which is what I enjoy most.
I’ve learned there are many hands that assist in the office and on the jobsite taking a project from start to finish.
Sweet drinks and desserts are my favorites! I’m also a fan of sprinkles and believe they really do make everything taste better
One of the things I like the most about working at RJM is the variety of work that we perform. My first job at RJM was to build a sports dome; nothing like anything I had done before but I was up to the challenge.
One thing I’ve learned since being in the construction industry is don’t assume anything. Make sure you are communicating your ideas and expectations with everyone involved.
I started my career as an Aircraft Powerplant and Airframe Mechanic working on business jets and helicopters.
Being able to teach younger people what I know about construction and safety.
When someone yells run…RUN!
I’m actually a nice person.
One thing I like about my role at RJM is working with the trades to get where we need to be on time and have a quality product at the end.
I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned in this industry is that other trades are quick to tell you what you want to hear.
Something people don’t know about me, I’ve seen Metallica live in concert eight times.
In this industry, there is a lot of information that needs to be processed at a fast pace in-order for a project to run smoothly. It is vital to be in constant communication with your team so everyone is aware of the status of a project and of any potential obstacles a project may face.
The thing I enjoy most about my role in the construction industry is collaborating with others with the shared goal of working together to turn an idea into a reality.
Communication is everything. It can turn a hostile situation good and a good situation hostile. It’s your choice.
Growing up I always wanted to be an orthopedic surgeon
Although I have not started working with RJM quite yet, I enjoy the learning experience. Everyday there is something new to learn and improve on. The construction industry never stops evolving and it makes everyday different. I am excited to learn and grow with this company.
I get to work with so many bright and hard-working people every day.
Risk management is a 24/7 mindset.
In 1980 I spent the summer working as a laborer 30+ floors above Michigan Avenue in Chicago for a subcontractor doing concrete formwork on a condominium tower project.
For every problem there is always a solution! Construction projects will always have hurdles to work through and the ability to problem solve and work together as a team will surely allow for the end goal to be met.
Being able to see a project from conception to completion knowing how much time and effort is put in from numerous groups of people and being able to turn the keys over to someone’s vision or to provide a better experience for the end user is what puts a smile on my face!
With little to no preparation I have ran a marathon and hiked to Machu Picchu!
I enjoy working with all the different teams.
Plan, schedule, plan!
I enjoy hunting, fishing and all outdoor activities
Every day is a new challenge. I started as a carpenter and now I’m running our biggest project to date. Our whole staff sees the importance of completing a project as fast and as perfect as we can.
Always have a plan and then three more. So when the first blows up in your face you have another for backup.
I have three daughters and am a bee keeper.
Every day I have the opportunity to work with new people on new projects. No job is ever the same and I enjoy the challenge of having the opportunity to work through that with my clients.
One thing I’ve learned since being in the construction industry is that you never know everything. This industry is constantly changing and evolving, and there is never just one way to get it done.
I spent the first half of my professional life in architectural design.
I enjoy working with the RJM project team.
Every day is a new set of challenges; take it one day at a time.
I enjoy working on classic cars.
Each day is never the same. Each day presents various challenges and opportunities for all of us. Therefore, never fully plan your day, leave openings or flexibility in your daily schedule as it is guaranteed to change.
I have enjoyed meeting the associates from the various departments within RJM. Their positive working environment can be deemed as one of the many characteristics for success.
I’m right handed but bat and swing the clubs as a lefty.
My career goals are focused on gaining new experiences that will lead me to be an experienced professional, developing new skills based on the field needs, and at the same time, giving something back to the community.
Project Management and Quality Engineering.
I want to learn as much as I can and contribute to RJM’s goals. While at the same time building a good network that contributes to my professional development.
While working on large projects it’s nice to meet all the people from different trades.
After being in the construction industry for over 40 years, every morning things are still changing.
One of my hobbies is raising honeybees.
I enjoy the fast paced collaborative effort preconstruction requires, not one project is the same and all need different attention.
Say what you mean, mean what you say, don’t be mean when you say it.
I enjoy all things to do with aquatics, from a day on the lake too maintaining my fish tanks.
I enjoy talking with people at all levels inside and outside the organization and have built many good relationships.
The construction industry is both very large and very small at the same time. A lot of people move around and come back around.
I’ve been to Sturgis 26 times.
That I never want to leave it ????! There’s something so gratifying about being a part of bringing someone’s vision to fruition while improving the communities in which we live, work, and play.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to help mentor marketers early in their careers again. It’s one of the most satisfying parts of my job to watch others grow professionally!
I’m originally from the south – Mobile, AL. I moved to Minnesota in third grade.
Having the opportunity to collaborate and work with great clients and team members.
Communication and teamwork is key to succeed on projects.
I enjoy lawncare and gardening. I strive to have the best lawn in the neighborhood.
I really enjoy the team interaction at RJM. Simply a great group of people to work with.
I have learned that you never stop learning.
In a much younger life, I was a weatherman on an aircraft carrier in the US Navy.
One thing I have learned is that you never know everything and you need to keep adapting to the change going on around you.
I eat and write left-handed because I broke my right arm when I was younger but pretty much everything else I do right-handed.
You will always be learning something new.
I’m basically blind in my right eye.
Working closely with the client. Turning problems into solutions.
It is a people business. Clients need to know that we care more about them than ourselves.
I have been blessed with my wife, 15 children and 28 grandkids. They are the joy of our lives!
RJM truly puts family first, I appreciate the work/personal life balance.
To be fluid and able to adapt to changes quickly. Things hardly go as planned so having the ability to work with the changes is key.
I’m a huge marvel fan, I’ve seen all the marvel superhero movies countless times.
The number one reason I enjoy working at RJM is the people. We have a great group of enthusiastic, hardworking people, all with the same goal in mind. This makes it fun to come to work.
Success and failure in this business is all based on communication. Good communication leads to success and poor or lack of communication results in failure. It’s all about communication.
In 1991 I was the International Karting Federation Grand National Champion for 8-11 year old’s in the United States. Many of the competitors went on to careers in NASCAR, Indy Car, and other professional forms of motorsports.
The days are always interesting – something new to learn all the time.
A great team working together makes all the difference.
I have hiked a fourteener and winter camped in Colorado.
Every project will present unique challenges that weren’t always accounted for in the planning stage. Proper planning and preparation, prevent poor performance. Communication throughout that process is paramount to success.
I enjoy that with every new day on a project, a new challenge different than yesterday’s pops up.
Last year I went skydiving. That will be the last time I ever do that!!
You never know what the day will bring and more than likely you will learn something every day.
RJM has really challenged and pushed me to be where I am today. A company that is willing to challenge you is a benefit as they want to see their employees succeed.
I was a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and my wife and I enjoy trying new places to hike.
I love the construction industry culture. I come from an accounting/finance background and the construction industry is where I feel most comfortable.
I have been in a plane crash
This is my first position within the construction industry. No matter what industry you are a part of, if your focus is on what is best for the customer, best for the company, best for the team, and then best for yourself, your priorities will determine the next steps.
Working in an environment that is fast-paced and focused on people.
I have a twin sister, but many say you can’t even see a sibling resemblance.
My role allows me to interact with all departments here at RJM.
That there is a constant change. All jobs have their own set of requirements.
I grew up racing motocross.
Communication, Communication, Communication! It is very important to being able to communicate and know how to communicate to different people and their roles.
I do competitive bodybuilding
I love that every new project brings its own new challenges.
Participating in the growth of the team which has led to the growth of the business, both in depth and project complexity. I marvel at where we are today and the team we have.
As the general contractor we are responsible for everything that happens over the life of a project. We must be vigilant in our decision making process to make sure every detail is done correctly.
I grew up in a small town in west central Minnesota; lived in town but my friends were all farmers. I can milk a cow by hand and drive a 1949 combine
If your contract states that you have one client, you typically have five or six clients per project.
I was a competitive figure skater until I turned 16.
I enjoy collaborating with a team to bring a set of plans to life. Seeing the tangible results of hard work is extremely satisfying.
Documentation is critical.
I aspire to one day have an aquarium full of seahorses.
I enjoy the working with our employees as they grow in their career and opportunities to provide insights from the myriad of my personal lessons learned.
True success in our industry is most often derived from hard work, coupled with solid, trusted relationships.
During my high school years in Tennessee I worked part-time atop horseback for cattle ranchers.
It is great to work in a job where things come up daily that challenge your knowledge and allow you to utilize the lessons learned over many years in this industry.
Construction is not a good choice for the weak hearted.
I really enjoy gardening as a way to escape the daily grind.
When working on construction projects, there are no two projects that are exactly the same. Working at RJM our team-oriented atmosphere helps make taking on a project’s different challenges rewarding.
Good communication is essential to a project’s success. Communication helps the project team work well together to efficiently complete a project.
I have an identical twin brother that lives in California.
Respect is the most important thing to understand and to give in this industry.
I enjoy the positive atmosphere.
We have 2 healthy and very active twin toddler grandsons.
Take notes and save emails so you have a record of what has been worked on and discussed as well as looking back to learn from past conversations.
Excited to start my career and grow with RJM!
I enjoy the culture and team here. RJM has been very intentional about investing in our employees and their futures which I really appreciate.
Each project has a story to tell. Creativity and collaboration is key to successfully communicate those stories.
While in Africa I went cage diving with sharks and went on a four-day camping safari.
What drew me to RJM was the culture. The “team first” attitude, inclusivity, embracing of technology, and the overall desire to be better each day from the entire team make it easy to go to work each day.
We are in the “people” business, we just happen to build things. If you keep people at the forefront of what you do, the parts and pieces that make up a building go together much easier.
Although I don’t get to go as often as I like, I really enjoy checking out art museums and architecture. Also, I like heavy metal music and college football.
I enjoy sharing work experiences with the younger generation of RJM’ers, while at the same time learning a few things about construction techniques native to Minnesota in return.
Pre-planning, communication, and organization is a must in our industry. But there’s nothing more vital than to be adaptable in your projects when curveballs are thrown your way, because they will come.
I played both football and baseball at Cornell University and got my name forever immortalized in Cooperstown. It’s on a commemorative brick, but that still counts, right?
I enjoy working and getting to know different clients throughout the process and then walking through a finished project with them. It is very rewarding to see how they appreciate our hard work.
I’ve learned how much preconstruction can come into play, and help deliver a successful project.
My wife and I have four boys at four different schools: UW-LaCrosse, Hudson High School, Shattuck St. Mary’s, and Hudson Middle School. All four also play hockey.
Always make sure the underground plumbing is completed before laying the basement floor.
It takes a village to build structures. At RJM, we work as a team to help each other out.
I have yet to meet a dog that doesn’t like me.
Working in the field, I get to meet many different people and how you need to adapt quickly to all the different personalities to make a project work smoothly.
Every task is an opportunity. Not a problem.
Most people don’t know I like model railroading (trains). I have a large model railroad layout under construction in my basement.
It takes hard work and tenacity to build something from nothing.
The people!
I have visited 32 states and have lived in 11 of them.
I enjoy interacting with all of project teams and helping them plan successful projects. Then seeing customers be amazed at what our teams do.
If you do not lead people they will fail you every time. If you help them you will have successful projects.
A bucket list item is to hike across Isle Royale, short or long way just to get to the island would be great.
The construction industry is diverse and ever-changing with every day being a learning experience.
I was a volunteer and a head coach for 5+ years with the Courage Center Rolling Twins, a part of the National Wheelchair Softball Association. I was also a Midwest Region Wheelchair Sports Board Member and head coach of the Minnesota Blaze a professional wheelchair basketball team for a couple of years.
You can not be successful without being surrounded by a good team.
I am addicted to sour candy.
I enjoy meeting and working with different people and trade partners. I am excited to see what I can learn and accomplish working with RJM.
There is always more to learn, and learning to trust (and utilize) your resources is critical to success.
Go Hornets! Born and raised Cake Eater!
Working as a team to identify solutions that bring the most value to a project/process is what regularly excited me. Doing it with great people makes it even more rewarding!
The key to success to any portion of a project is good communication. Good communication will help you solve the constantly changing challenges of day to day work.
I love that I get to work with so many people internally and externally. It is amazing how important relationships are in my role.
I am very passionate about filmmaking and love to analyze how movies are made.
I love all of my coworkers and getting able to dive right into big projects from the get-go.
It is a very fast-paced environment, but no two projects are alike. You are able to constantly be learning something new no matter how long you’ve been in the industry.
I attended 3 different colleges/universities. University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Anoka Ramsey Community College, and Bethel University AND still graduated in four years!
There is always more than one way to overcome an obstacle in the field. I’ve learned to really rely on the knowledge and experience of others and work together to come up with creative solutions to unique challenges.
I love the collaboration and collective efforts of all the people it takes to bring a project from concept to creation.
I recently completed a frame-up restoration of a 1983 Jeep CJ7. It took me way longer than I thought it would, but it was worth it!
From the office staff to the field crew, I really enjoy working with the team here at RJM.
Safety. It has become the way of life at the job site which brings us home to enjoy our families every day.
I like farming. Like construction, they both have challenges, but there is nothing more I’d rather do then be in the field in the spring and fall.
I appreciate that RJM is extremely customer-driven. For me there nothing more important than a customer being satisfied with their finished product.
Construction is the only type of work I have ever done. During my twenty-five year career, the most important thing I have learned is that regardless of whom you are dealing with whether it be the client, sub-contractors, or the employee sweeping the job site, treat them as you would like to be treated.
I am a sports enthusiast, now mostly coaching or watching. I enjoy hunting, fishing, and spending a lot of time with my family.
The satisfaction of completing a successful project and being asked to do another project for the same client.
Patience.
My mancave is the one place I don’t have to explain anything.
Collaborative and critical thinking culture.
The overall goal is always to provide best value solutions for the client. Critical thinking and collaboration with all team members, subcontractors and suppliers from the concept phase of a project through occupancy is what makes this possible.
My current career goals are to find what place in the industry I fit in best and where my skills fit the best. Long term, I would like to be part of a team where I make a difference and be able to look back at the projects I was a part of and be proud of them.
Mechanical and Electrical Systems for Construction
I am most excited to be able to see how things work in the industry outside of a classroom setting. I also hope to develop both soft and hard skills to help me become a successful construction professional.
I have not worked in the construction industry before, but I am excited to learn about the technology that is used at RJM!
I like to beatbox. I was the beatboxer for an acapella group in college.
I have learned that communication and proper planning are the most important components to completing a successful project.
I was born in Iowa and have been an Iowa State Cyclones fan for my whole life.
I love working with everyone at RJM. In my role I have the opportunity to meet and interact with everyone. RJM is truly a family so when we solve a problem is a win all the way around!
The construction industry is always changing. The evolution is fascinating and I love being a part of the experience.
I grew up on a dairy farm in Taylors Falls, Minnesota.
With the current industry conditions, it is critical that communication is clear and upheld. Unplanned shortages and backorders can be expected. Vigilance is key.
There is a 22-year gap in age between myself and my youngest sibling… I’ll probably be grey-headed by the time they attend college.
After being in industrial/commercial construction for 10 years of my career, I learned that the people who work in construction can make any idea a reality. They are some of the hardest working, creative people I know.
Human resources is a constantly changing field with a variety of areas to develop within and it is rarely the same day twice, which makes the work exciting. The people I’ve met, relationships developed along the way never cease to amaze me, I learn so much from others.
I like working with the people at RJM, it’s a great organization. I also like the diversity of projects.
I have learned there are many ways of doing things to obtain the same outcome. Doing as much as you can today will help with the curveballs that come at you tomorrow.
I love to go to swap meets and garage sales early on the weekends, even if I don’t buy anything. I’m in constant search of the rare finds.
I enjoy the camaraderie between our teams.
I have learned that spending extra effort and time on preconstruction makes a job more successful.
I have many outdoor hobbies. My favorites are during the winter: snowmobiling and hockey.
I enjoy solving the day-to-day challenges that come up.
I have learned that you can get more accomplished when a team works together to solve any problem that comes up.
I love to get out fishing.
I enjoy the opportunity to solve problems with new and creative solutions.
People and connections are the most important aspect of the industry. It truly is a team environment. We all have specialties, but we need everyone to construct these buildings.
I co-founded a charity golf tournament to raise funds for Hope, Inc. They help mobility challenged children receive specialized sporting equipment.
Everything happens for a reason and it will all work out in the end.
I am looking forward to working on larger projects.
I’m a Green Bay Packers fan.
I enjoy working and being a part of a team that creates and helps build something that lasts for generations.
Everyone, no matter big or small has a role in completing a successful day.
I enjoy event planning and creating gift baskets.
I enjoy the fact that I get to do a little bit of everything in my role, and I appreciate the people. Everyone is willing to work toward the betterment of the company as a team and we all have fun along the way.
I have learned the importance of being flexible as everyday something changes.
I enjoy riding just about anything with a motor.
