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At our 137th Annual Meeting this past January, MBEX took a bold step forward with the revealing of our new name, the Midwest Builders Exchange, and our refreshed visual identity.
This update is more than a fresh coat of paint. It represents a thoughtful evolution designed to strengthen our presence in the industry and support continued growth for our members. While MBEX has long been known for delivering accurate, efficient project information through the Plan Room, the organization has grown into much more. As our members and the construction industry continue to evolve, so must we.
In the weeks ahead, you'll see the new brand come to life across our website, communications, and member experiences. What won't change is our commitment to connecting you with the projects and the people who help bring them to life. Our greatest strength has always been the exchange: ideas shared over coffee, insight that helps navigate a challenging bid, and relationships that turn into lasting opportunities.
Welcome to the Midwest Builders Exchange, where plans become partnerships.
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Five Quick Things To Know & Do This Week:
1.) Final Reminder - This is it; the final membership renewal reminder (at least until November 😉). If you have yet to renew for 2026, please call Julie at (612) 381-2627. You may also mail a check, if preferred, but please let us know so we can temporarily reinstate your Plan Room access and double-check you're sending it to the correct address. (We moved to a new office location last year, remember?) And if you've already renewed, thank you!
2.) We Changed Our Name - As David mentioned above, MBEX's full name is now Midwest Builders Exchange. MBEX remains our familiar shorthand, and this new name brings clearer alignment with whom we serve and how we deliver value across the Midwest. Read more about our recent news
3.) Review Your Company Info - Ashlee has begun work on the 2026 Membership Directory & Buyers Guide, and we want to make sure your business information is accurate and up to date. You can view your current information by logging into the Online Plan Room, visiting the 'Administration' tab, then clicking 'Edit Your Company Info.'
4.) Member Achievements - Congratulations to the following MBEX members who are making moves throughout the commercial construction industry:
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Several Performance Contracting Inc (PCI) western branches were named as Western Wall & Ceiling Contractors Association Project of the Year and Safety Award winners. PCI winners of the 2025 WWCCA Awards include PCI Las Vegas, PCI Los Angeles, and PCI Phoenix.
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Viaflex recently welcomed Tim Schneider as their Director of Pipe Sales, where he will work closely with team members, distributors, installers, and project teams.
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Twin City Garage Door also welcomed a new team member, Zach, who is joining their New Hope crew as a Warehouse Associate.
5.) Cool Project Alert - The fourth horizontal arm of the cross at the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Spain, has been placed. With its placement, the Sagrada Familia became the tallest church in the world in 2025 (when completed, it will stand at a height of 172.5 meters). After 140 years, the structure is very near completion. Its first stone was placed in 1882.
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Inside Issue No. 5:
• This Month's Events: Meet The Estimators (2/4), Online Plan Room Demo (2/19), and a slate of Bluebeam Revu courses for all skill levels
• Sage Economics: Five nonresidential trends from January & how contractors can act
• In Review: Circling back on our work throughout January 2026
• Construction Futures: January saw another month of concerning economic data
• Five Headlines: Managing schedule pressures with AI; What GCs and subs need to know about bid seasonality in 2026; Artificial intelligence's role in mechanical contracting; Construction's new worker demand drops to 350,000; and Experts say that Rochester, Minn., is on the verge of a residential construction boom
• Project of the Week: A major downtown Mankato redevelopment could soon be underway
• Industry Event: 5th Annual CERT Open House - Thursday, February 12 - Presented by Ramsey County
• Project Download: Updated project information covering the week of January 28-February 3
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Show Us That MBEX Love at Upcoming Events
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February is shaping up to be a busy one at MBEX, with plenty of reasons to step out of the office and back into the mix.
After the energy of January’s kickoff events, let's keep the momentum going with building connections, sharpening skills, and staying plugged into what’s happening across the Midwest's commercial construction community.
This month’s lineup offers a little bit of everything: opportunities to connect face-to-face, stay informed on industry topics, and continue the conversations sparked at our Annual Meeting & Luncheon. Whether you’re looking to expand your network, learn something new, or simply spend time with people who get this industry, February delivers.
So grab your calendar and make a plan. Scroll down for full event details and registration links (and consider this your friendly nudge to stay engaged, stay visible, and make the most of what MBEX has lined up).
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Dates: Wednesday, February 4
Time: 2:00pm - 5:30pm
Location: Gresser Companies
(3 Checkered Flag Blvd, Shakopee, Minn., 55379)
Cost:
• MBEX Members: Free
• MCA Members: Free
• MSA Members: Free
• G.C. Council: Free
• Non-Member: $15
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Yes, online registration may have closed last Friday, but if you'd still like to attend, folks are encouraged to register onsite the day of the event.
Bring those business cards, and get ready to make connections that matter. In partnership with the Minnesota Construction Association (MCA) and the Minnesota Subcontractors Association (MSA), we invite members to join us for this 2nd annual networking opportunity. Come make connections with estimators and project managers from GCs and Prime Contractors and learn how to do business with them before bid day.
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Date: Thursday, February 19
Time: 9:00am - 10:00am
Location: Virtual Event via Zoom
Cost: Free!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Wednesday, January 18 @ 2:30pm
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From navigating the Deskpad to setting up project search filters, to locating project information, to adding one's company to bidders' lists, this one-hour session is a great introduction to our Online Plan Room. Time is reserved at the end of the presentation for questions and answers.
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Dates: February 10-12 & 17-20
Time: All classes are held from 10:30am-12:30pm CST
Location: Virtual
Cost: MBEX Members - $121 | Non-Members - $182
Instructor: Troy DeGroot, UChpater2
**Some courses require prerequisite courses. Please see full event descriptions for more details.
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Whether you're opening Bluebeam Revu for the first time or you've been using it for years, these courses ensure everyone is starting from the same strong foundation.
• FEBRUARY 10 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
• FEBRUARY 11 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
• FEBRUARY 12 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
• FEBRUARY 17 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices
• FEBRUARY 18 - Bluebeam 5: Collecting Field Data Using Bluebeam Revu
• FEBRUARY 19 - Bluebeam 6: Bluebeam Revu for Administrative Professionals
• FEBRUARY 20 - Bluebeam 7: Bluebeam Revu for Civil Workflows
Developed by the certified instructors at UChapter2, these sessions teach you the skills needed to improve efficiency and accuracy and leave you with applicable workflow tips you can utilize right away.
| | | All training is developed and delivered by uchapter2.com and led by Troy DeGroot, a Bluebeam Certified Instructor (BCI). | | | | | |
Dates:
• March 4 - Duluth
• March 11 - St. Cloud
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location:
• Duluth - Blackwoods Bar & Grill (Duluth)
• St. Cloud - Crooked Pint Ale House (Waite Park)
Cost: Free!
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Join us (MBEX), The Builders Group (TBG), the Minnesota Concrete Council, and the Electrical Association for a couple of casual gatherings with food, drinks, and networking with great company.
Members, non-members, and colleagues are all welcome to join us to learn about how each organization serves the commercial construction sector, what membership with MBEX entails, and meet staff.
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Key Construction Trends Commercial Contractors Should Watch
January 2026 Insights from Sage Economics
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If it feels like the construction market is sending mixed signals lately, you're not imagining. Some sectors are still humming, others are tapping the brakes, and owners are asking tougher questions before green-lighting projects.
For MBEX members, this isn't about doom or hype. It's about understanding where the work is actually landing, how labor and funding realities are shaping projects, and what smart positioning looks like in a more selective market.
Below are a handful of key takeaways from Sage Economics throughout January that commercial contractors should have on their radar, along with why each one matters specifically here in Minnesota.
Construction Spending is Cooling, Not Crashing
Sage Economics notes that nonresidential construction spending is slowing from recent highs, especially as interest rates, tighter lending, and owner caution start to show up in project timelines. That said, activity levels remain well above pre-pandemic norms, signaling a reset rather than a downturn.
Why this matters for Minnesota contractors
This is a “be selective, not scared” moment. Focus your business development efforts on projects that already have funding lined up and realistic schedules, and be cautious about chasing work that’s still speculative.
Labor Remains a Constraint, Even as Hiring Slows
While overall job growth has softened, construction labor availability remains tight, especially for skilled trades. Wage pressure hasn’t disappeared, and workforce shortages continue to limit how fast projects can realistically move.
Why this matters for Minnesota contractors
Bidding aggressively without factoring in labor availability is risky. Locking in crews early, building stronger subcontractor relationships, and planning realistic schedules will matter more than shaving margins.
Public Funding is Still a Bright Spot (with Caveats)
Federal and state infrastructure funding continues to support civil and public-sector work, but Sage highlights growing uncertainty around timing, permitting, and long-term funding sustainability. Authorized projects don’t always translate to shovels in the ground.
Why this matters for Minnesota contractors
Public work remains a strong opportunity, but patience (and paperwork) is required. Stay close to owners and agencies, track bonding and funding updates, and be prepared for delayed start dates.
Manufacturing & Industrial Projects are Carrying the Load
Manufacturing construction continues to outperform most other sectors, driven largely by large-scale, capital-intensive projects. Sage notes, however, that much of this growth is concentrated among a small number of megaprojects.
Why this matters for Minnesota contractors
If you’re positioned for industrial or manufacturing work, this remains a solid lane, but diversification matters. Don’t assume this level of activity will last forever or spread evenly across the market.
Owners are Most Cost-Sensitive Than Ever
Rising material costs, insurance premiums, and financing expenses have made owners more cautious. Sage points out increased scrutiny of budgets, scopes, and schedules before projects move forward.
Why this matters for Minnesota contractors
Contractors who can help owners manage risk through early pricing, value engineering, and transparent communication will have an edge. Being a problem-solver is becoming just as important as being a builder.
Bottom Line
Sage Economics' outlook reinforces what many Minnesota contractors are already seeing on the ground: opportunity still exists, but it’s more targeted, more competitive, and more timing-sensitive.
Firms that stay informed, manage risk carefully, and focus on funded, well-planned projects will be best positioned heading into the rest of the year.
| | | The information above was compiled and summarized from Sage Economics email updates distributed between January 1-31, 2026. Note that more recent reports may offer updated insights, and MBEX members are encouraged to review the latest data as part of their due diligence. | | | |
At the start of each month, we look back at MBEX's past 30-some days to review project progress, Online Plan Room stats, and membership achievements.
Numbers reflected below share data from the date range of January 1-31, 2026.
| | Total # of Projects Added (January 2026) | | Total # of Projects Added (January 2025) | | Total # of Projects Added (January 2024) | | Total # of Projects YTD (Jan. 1 - Feb. 1) | | New Member Companies Joined | | | | |
No. of Members & Non-Members
Added to Bidders Lists
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10 Most Viewed Projects (January 1-31,2026)
** indicates the project is still actively bidding
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(1.) Crest View Community
School - ISD 279
• Total Visitors: 8,908
• Total Unique Visitors: 476
• Bid Date: January 8, 2026
• Project Location: Brooklyn Park, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2025-12C6
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(2.) Public Safety - City of Woodbury - Addition & Renovation
• Total Visitors: 8,807
• Total Unique Visitors: 490
• Bid Date: January 27, 2026
• Project Location: Woodbury, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: Addition
• Project ID: 2026-0056
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(3.) Cowern Elementary School
- Additions & Renovations - ISD 622
• Total Visitors: 8,774
• Total Unique Visitors: 487
• Bid Date: January 15, 2026
• Project Location: North St. Paul, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Addition / Remodeling
• Project ID: 2025-0CB7
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(4.) Justice Center -
Stearns County
• Total Visitors: 8,482
• Total Unique Visitors: 459
• Bid Date: February 5, 2026
• Project Location: St. Cloud, Minn.
• Project Category: Correctional Facility
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2026-003F **
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(5.) New South Minneapolis Community Safety Center
- City of Minneapolis
• Total Visitors: 8,270
• Total Unique Visitors: 505
• Bid Date: January 22, 2026
• Project Location: Minneapolis, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2025-1324
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(6.) Building E Renovation
- MCF - Lino Lakes
• Total Visitors: 7,074
• Total Unique Visitors: 461
• Bid Date: January 9, 2026
• Project Location: Lino Lakes, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: Remodeling / Renovation
• Project ID: 2025-11D1
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(7.) Wyoming Elementary School - Facility Improvements (2025)
• Total Visitors: 4,532
• Total Unique Visitors: 423
• Bid Date: January 13, 2026
• Project Location: Wyoming, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Improvements
• Project ID: 2025-12A7
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(8.) Oshki Manidoo Women's
& Children's Lodge
• Total Visitors: 4,126
• Total Unique Visitors: 314
• Bid Date: January 28, 2026
• Project Location: Bemidji, Minn.
• Project Category: Local Government
• Project Type: New Construction
• Project ID: 2025-137E
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(9.) St. Paul Public Library -
Hayden Heights - Remodel
• Total Visitors: 3,778
• Total Unique Visitors: 375
• Bid Date: February 6, 2026
• Project Location: St. Paul, Minn.
• Project Category: Library
• Project Type: Remodeling
• Project ID: 2026-0089 **
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(10.) Otsego Elementary School
- Renovations - ISD 728
• Total Visitors: 3,766
• Total Unique Visitors: 374
• Bid Date: January 15, 2026
• Project Location: Otsego, Minn.
• Project Category: Educational
• Project Type: Remodeling / Renovation
• Project ID: 2025-1382
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January 2026 Economic Overview
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The construction industry posted another month of concerning economic data. Hiring remains sluggish, while construction spending has failed to gather any momentum. Rising input prices and high borrowing costs represent an ongoing cause for concern, yet contractors remain broadly optimistic about the outlook.
Highlighted below are some of the latest economic data shared via Construction Executive's Construction Futures - January 2026 recap.
CONSTRUCTION BACKLOG INDICATOR
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CONSTRUCTION CONFIDENCE INDEX
| | | The Construction Backlog Indicator measures the average months of work under contract for ABC members. The Construction Confidence Index is a diffusion index where values above 50 indicate expectations of expansion over the next six months, while values under 50 indicate expectations of contraction. | | | |
Five construction-related headlines you need to read over the next coffee break.
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JOBSITE SAFETY
📋 Managing Schedule Pressure & Using AI to Reduce Risk
Construction safety challenges in 2026 will be shaped by tighter schedules, labor shortages, and broader use of artificial intelligence, according to insights from industry leaders at construction risk management firm Highwire. Schedule pressure will continue to intensify as demand grows in mission-critical sectors such as data centers and semiconductor manufacturing. (For Construction Pros)
CONSTRUCTION BIDDING
🔄 Public Sector Bid Seasonality: What GCs & Subs Need to Know for 2026
Every public sector contractor knows the feeling: months of quiet followed by a flood of opportunities as government agencies release projects in waves. Fortunately, this is not random; it's the result of bid seasonality, which are predictable, data-driven patterns dictated by fiscal calendars, funding cycles, and weather. Understanding these cycles empowers GCs and subcontractors to plan resources, pursue the most strategic bids, and balance workloads. (ConstructConnect News)
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE | MECHANICAL CONTRACTING
🔧 The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Mechanical Contracting
The reluctance to embrace AI reflects a common attitude among the trades: until something has proven itself to be reliably, consistently better, most contractors will stick with what they know works. Sixty percent of contractors are familiar with AI, but only 12% have integrated it into their processes, according to the Service Titan 2026 State of AI in the Trades report. Results show that AI is making its way into contracting via the back office, with administration leading usage at 59%, leveraging it for billing, reporting, data analysis, and compliance tracking. (Contractor Magazine)
LABOR & WORKFORCE
🦺 Construction's New Worker Demand Drops to 350,000 in 2026
The construction industry will need to attract an estimated 349,000 net new workers to keep up with demand this year, according to data from Associated Builders and Contractors. That number is set to rise to 456,000 in 2027, as spending growth is poised to resume. That gap is certainly sizable, but it also represents a precipitous drop. In 2025, ABC predicted a need for 439,000 new workers. (Construction Dive)
CURRENTLY IN MINNESOTA
💥 Rochester on the Verge of a Residential Construction Boom, Experts Say
Officials hope to match or exceed last year's more than $1-billion in construction as Mayo Clinic continues its expansion in Rochester's booming city. This is the third consecutive year the city has had record construction based on permit valuation, meaning the cost of projects that have gone through the city's permitting process. Officials with Destination Medical Center, which steers public infrastructure financing downtown, say growth in Rochester will look like a century's worth of construction for comparable cities. (The Minnesota Star Tribune | If you can't view the link above, click here)
| | Mankato Eyes Major Downtown Redevelopment | | |
Read more on Finance & Commerce
A downtown Mankato block anchored by a vacant Walgreens and other underused properties could be the landing spot for major investment.
Front Street Plaza LLC hopes to redevelop the property at 601-634 South Front Street and 112 West Liberty Street, with a six-story building, which would house 150 apartments, a 23,000-square-foot grocery store, a coffee shop, and a restaurant, according to city documents.
Existing buildings on the site would be demolished to make way for the proposed new uses, which also include a two-story parking ramp and a four-story office building.
The block up for redevelopment houses six buildings, including the vacant Walgreens.
A preliminary plat submitted to the city shows an L-shaped mixed-use building facing Front Street and West Liberty Street, and an office building and parking structure near Warren Street and South Riverfront Drive. Also highlighted in the plans are 240 parking spaces, including 125 structured spaces.
The city is seeking up to $1.5-million in redevelopment grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to assist with the redevelopment, according to a city staff report.
Eligible costs include building demolition, site demolition, geotechnical soil corrections, soil stabilization, and public infrastructure. A 50% match would be paid by the developer.
If the project does not receive a DEED grant or TIF, the project most likely will change, according to an investor with the project.
The Mankato City Council quietly passed a resolution in support of the grant application recently, and redevelopment grants are expected to be announced in March or April.
| | ABOVE PHOTO: Rendering image provided by ISG sharing the proposed redevelopment plan for downtown Mankato that would include 150 apartments, a grocery store, a coffee shop, and a restaurant. | |
5th Annual CERT Connect Open House
Presented by Ramsey County
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DATE: Thursday, February 12
TIME: 8:00am - 10:30am
LOCATION:
COST: No fee to attend.
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Join Ramsey County at the Ramsey County Public Works Building in Arden Hills for their 5th Annual CERT Open House, an opportunity for small businesses to have deliberate, worthwhile conversations with county staff and partners who are directly involved in construction.
All are welcome! You do not need to be a certified business in order to attend.
Departments attending include Public Works, Central Fleet, Purchasing & Contracting, Parks & Recreation, Property Management, and Community & Economic Development. Event partners include Hennepin County, the City of Maplewood, the City of Roseville, the St. Paul Port Authority, the University of Minnesota, and more to come.
What to Bring:
- Contact Information (i.e., business cards)
- Company Information (i.e., capabilities statement, company overview, brochures)
Register at the link above (the blue 'Sign Up' button) or call (651) 266-7228 with questions. You can also download an event flyer here.
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• Total Projects Received at MBEX from 1/26/2026 - 1/30/2026: 124
• Total Project Leads Reported on at MBEX from 1/26/2026 - 1/30/2026: 38
• Total Active Projects Received / Reported on at MBEX as of 2/3/2026: 501
• Total 2026 Projects posted to the Online Plan Room as of 2/3/2026: 672
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Click the button above to view the most recent project data from 1/28/2026 - 2/3/2026.
For information about the Bulletin's content, technical issues, or to place an ad (such as a Minority
Notice, Job Posting, or Event Notice), contact Ashlee, Membership + Communications Manager.
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UPCOMING MBEX EVENTS
• February 10 - Bluebeam 1: Baseline Basics
• February 11 - Bluebeam 2: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Basic)
• February 12 - Bluebeam 3: Material Takeoffs & Estimates (Advanced)
• February 17 - Bluebeam 4: Document Management & Best Practices
• February 18 - Bluebeam 5: Collecting Field Data Using Bluebeam Revu
• February 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
• February 19 - Bluebeam 6: For Administrative Professionals
• February 20 - Bluebeam 7: For Civil Workflows
• March 4 - Regional Member Meetup: Duluth
• March 11- Regional Member Meetup: St. Cloud
• March 19 - Online Plan Room Demo
• April 15 - Spring Social
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Information within the MBEX Weekly Bulletin are obtained from sources deemed reliable. The Minnesota Builders Exchange (MBEX) does not assume responsibility for its completeness or accuracy. You are urged to check your own sources in addition to the information contained in this publication. This issue contains plans and other bidding information received prior to and including the date noted above. The project data within this newsletter is intended for member company's and their employees use only.
2026 BOARD OFFICERS: President - Brian Kalla, St. Cloud Acoustics; Vice President - Sean Ochis, Northern Industrial Insulation; Treasurer - Allie Brady, Veit USA; Past President - Heidi Sedlacek, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
2026 DIRECTORS: Kevin Bohrer, Donlar Construction; Ben Bowman, Adolfson & Peterson; David Brandt, Schadegg Mechanical; Matt Lennartson, RJM Construction; Chris Niemand, Frattalone Companies; Jason Rentmeester, Kraus-Anderson Construction; Harry Rothstein, Weidner's Mechanical Contractors; Jim Rothstein, Erickson Electric; and Alanna Soukkala, Marsh McLennan Agency.
MBEX STAFF: David Siegel - Executive Director; Julie Miller - Executive Assistant / Project Coordinator / Accounting; Ashlee Hartwig - Membership & Communications Manager; Melanie Hendrickson - Events & Membership Coordinator; Jeff Boelter - Project Acquisition & Plan Room Support; Shauna Baska - Project Reporter & Bidders Lists; Ka Yang - Addenda & Apparent Lows; Peggy Esboldt, Madison Gentil & Michelle Siegel - Project Reporters; Don O'Connor - Independent Event Planning Contractor
You are receiving this email because you are employed by a current member company in good standing or have indicated you wanted to receive MBEX's Weekly Bulletin. Unsubscribe from the Weekly Bulletin
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