One of the country’s biggest contractors is making a change in leadership.
Mortenson CEO Dan Johnson will retire on Dec. 31 after spending his entire 38-year career at the company, including the last eight in his current position, the Minneapolis-based company announced Sept. 5. He will continue to serve on the firm’s board of directors. Mortenson is ranked 27th on ENR’s top builders by revenue list for 2024.
A graduate of North Dakota State University, Johnson joined Mortenson in 1986. He served many roles at the company, including in estimating, operations, business development and senior leadership. He joined the senior leadership team in 1999, became chief operating officer in 2008, president in 2015 and CEO in 2017.
During his time, Johnson was instrumental in launching Mortenson’s renewable energy business and growing its real estate development arm, the release said.
“I have been fortunate and honored to spend my entire career with this amazing and successful company,” Johnson said in the release.
Mortenson President Derek Cunz will succeed Johnson to become president and CEO on Jan. 1.
Cunz was promoted to company president in 2022, and has worked at Mortenson since 1996. He played a key role in Mortenson’s Walt Disney Concert Hall project in Los Angeles, which was completed in 2003, per the release. On the project, Cunz helped pioneer Mortenson’s use of virtual design in construction. That same year, he joined the Denver office leadership team, then relocated to Minneapolis in 2010 to lead the company’s Sports + Entertainment group.
He also provided strategic oversight of the company’s growing energy storage and EV and microgrid infrastructure business, the release said.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead Mortenson into the future,” Cunz said in the release. “Our focus will remain steadfast on serving our customers, cultivating talent, innovating and creating value and creating a workplace where our team members feel a sense of belonging and have successful careers.”
