The success of Ames Construction is measured by how well we handle the complexities of project details, the challenges they present, and our ability to complete them to the customers’ satisfaction. Yet, that success is only possible with the willing spirits and capable hands of the dedicated people who work here, led by those who inspire these invaluable professionals to take pride in their workmanship and make a commitment to excellence. Meet some of the people who inspire us to build quality into our projects—day in and day out.
Jerry Ouimet
President and Chief Executive Officer
Jerry Ouimet
President and Chief Executive Officer
Jerry Ouimet directs the vision and guides the strategic direction of Ames Construction. As president and chief executive officer, Jerry is committed to building on the company’s long-established culture as a builder who encompasses and lives by the values of integrity, loyalty, respect, trust and innovation. Drawing from his more than 30 years in the industry, Jerry leads with an entrepreneurial perspective and applies his keen ability to link people with purpose to grow into new challenges and move forward as a cohesive team to achieve mutual goals.
Jerry earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance from St. Cloud State University, and a Master of Business Administration in Entrepreneurial Studies and Risk Management from the University of St. Thomas. Active in multiple industry organizations, Jerry is passionate about keeping the workforce safe, both physically and mentally, and serves as a trustee for the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention.
Tom Bessel
Chief Financial Officer
Tom Bessel
Chief Financial Officer
As Ames Construction’s Chief Financial Officer, Tom Bessel plans, implements, manages, and supervises all of the finance activities for the company, including business planning, budgeting, reporting, and forecasting. Tom came to Ames Construction as the Assistant Controller in 2011 after serving the company for six years prior while employed by a local public accounting firm. He applies his expertise to streamline and maintain efficient operations while adapting to ever-changing needs of both the industry and the departments as the company continues to grow and expand.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Tom is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional.
Brent Wilber
Chief Administrative Officer
Brent Wilber
Chief Administrative Officer
Brent Wilber serves as an advisor to the chief executive officer and the board of directors, providing guidance for performance improvement opportunities and strategic planning. Brent collaborates with clients, colleagues, industry members, and the communities we serve to implement policies in support of sustainability, resilience, and delivery of projects. He analyzes existing processes and drives corporate initiatives for ongoing advancement in employee safety and health, human resources, risk management, quality, environmental, and diversity and inclusivity.
Brent brings a broad perspective of the construction industry to Ames, having spent 30 years in operational roles, from labor to executive management. He joined Ames in 2022 after working alongside the company through joint venture and subcontracting relationships for two decades. Brent earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a licensed professional engineer and serves as a board member of Associated General Contractors of Minnesota.
Tim Haycraft
Chief Legal Officer
Tim Haycraft
Chief Legal Officer
Tim Haycraft is the senior legal advisor to the company on all legal and regulatory issues with a focus on managing and minimizing the company’s current and future risks in the marketplace. He has responsibility for Ames legal and compliance departments, with expertise that includes corporate governance, risk management, litigation management, labor, M&A, regulatory compliance, and corporate transactions.
Tim joined Ames Construction in 2020, after being in a construction leadership in-house role for more than 20 years, with over 30 years of experience in the industry. During his career, Tim has worked throughout the United States and Canada with a successful track record in both senior and executive leadership capacities. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both Public Administration and Communications from Minnesota State University, and a Juris Doctorate from Creighton School of Law.
Bob Bruckner
Chief Information Officer
Bob Bruckner
Chief Information Officer
Bob Bruckner leads a team of IT professionals who create, maintain, protect and repair the computer, network, data storage and communication systems throughout Ames Construction. Joining the company in 1997, Bob was tasked with preparing and updating internal systems to handle the anticipated worldwide coding problems associated with Y2K. He remains instrumental in implementing, upgrading and programming technology to ensure IT strategies and processes support company-wide goals.
Highly analytical, Bob researches ever-changing IT trends that drive change, and assesses opportunities that will help Ames stay competitive in the market. Bob graduated with a double major in computer science and mathematics from the University of Minnesota Morris.
Butch Trebesch
Chief Operating Officer | Renewable Energy
Butch Trebesch
Chief Operating Officer | Renewable Energy
As chief operating officer, Emil “Butch” Trebesch provides strategic leadership for Ames Construction. Working with the executive management team, he is charged with maintaining the company’s prominent position in the marketplace by adapting to meet fluctuating demands in an ever-evolving industry. With knowledge, experience, and respect for a corporate culture that values its people and community, he assesses current and future prospects that keep the company strong in multiple markets and furthers the company’s success.
Butch joined Ames in 1991, serving in several leadership roles prior to his appointment to COO in 2018. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from South Dakota State University, and is a registered professional engineer.
Justin Gabrielson
President | Midwest Region
Justin Gabrielson
President | Midwest Region
As president of the company’s Midwest region, Justin Gabrielson leads, implements and helps to shape decisions made for the region that align with the organization’s vision and mission. Working collaboratively with clients, project stakeholders, engineers, subcontractors and vendors, Justin oversees regional operations and identifies opportunities to enhance programs, performance and policies, while remaining focused on ensuring our people are put in an environment where they can succeed for the client, themselves, and the company.
Justin joined Ames Construction in 2003 as a project engineer, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from North Dakota State University in Civil Engineering with a minor in Business Administration. He is a licensed professional engineer, a member of the AGC Minnesota Chapter Board of Directors, and a member of the Minnesota AGC Labor Negotiations Committee.
Jerry Miller
President | Southwest Region
Jerry Miller
President | Southwest Region
As president of the company’s Southwest region, Jerry Miller leads, evaluates and manages regional activities to ensure the development and implementation of a profitable operation, while remaining focused on motivating employees to always be safe, work to their highest potential, and bring value to their role by not only doing things right, but by doing the right things on behalf of the company and our customers. Collaborating with corporate and regional partners, he initiates, develops and establishes the strategic direction of Ames that aligns with the organization’s vision and mission.
Jerry joined Ames Construction in 1996 as a program manager/engineer and was appointed executive vice president of the region in 2011. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Montana State University, where he is a member of the Civil Engineering Advisory Board. Jerry is a board member for the Arizona Chapter of AGC, a member of The Beavers heavy engineering construction association, and an SCCA member.
Tim Odell
President | Western Region
Tim Odell
President | Western Region
As president of the company’s Western region with offices in Utah and Colorado, Tim Odell leads the strategic planning and direction of the regional business objectives to support the organization’s vision and mission. Ultimately responsible for the overall performance of people and projects, Tim remains acutely focused on meeting safety goals, quality standards and client expectations, while identifying opportunities to enhance programs and policies for continuous improvement.
Tim joined the company in 1993. Having worked in multiple regional offices over the years, he possesses a unique perspective of the company’s growth into new markets and expansion into existing markets. Tim earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota, and is a registered professional engineer.
Craig Sandeen
President | Renewable Energy
Craig Sandeen
President | Renewable Energy
Craig Sandeen oversees the Ames Renewable Energy business unit focusing primarily on utility-scale solar energy projects across the U.S. He leads a team of individuals who have a “can do” attitude, and he works closely with the regional business units to leverage the company’s six decades of geographical experiences for successful project outcomes.
Craig joined Ames in 2019, bringing with him three decades of experience in the construction industry. For more than a decade, his emphasis has been on developing energy markets with over 3.5 gigawatts of installed solar capacity. Craig’s long history in the industry affords him keen insight into client challenges, which has helped him to build and foster valuable client relationships while advocating for the industry. Craig earned an Associate’s Degree from Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Todd Goderstad
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
Todd Goderstad
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
As the general counsel for Ames Construction, Todd Goderstad manages and directs all project-specific and corporate matters requiring legal review. He examines and negotiates contracts, subcontracts and other documents, monitors changes in law affecting the company, assesses controls for risk management, and ensures surety and insurance compliance. Todd also manages internal and outside counsel and consultants both in and outside of litigation, served as the governmental liaison, and applied his expertise to legal aspects of real estate development, credit and collections, and formal and informal dispute resolution of all kinds.
Todd joined Ames Construction in 1995. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Culver-Stockton College, and is a graduate of William Mitchell College of Law. He is a member of multiple bar associations and construction law organizations and is a past president of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota.
Shawn L. Dahl
Vice President, Real Estate & Aggregates
Shawn L. Dahl
Vice President, Real Estate & Aggregates
Shawn Dahl directs the real estate portfolio for Ames Construction, with extensive experience in land reclamation and residential/commercial development and redevelopment. He has expertly applied his proficiency in real estate planning and design, along with possessing a keen knowledge of environmental regulation, to develop multiple master-planned communities throughout the country. In his dual role, Shawn is instrumental in conducting assessments and acquiring permits for aggregate operations needed to support specific projects in our respective markets, and he oversees the company’s holdings in a retail aggregate processing operation that serves as a resource to the construction industry.
Shawn joined the company in 1989. He studied Business Management at the University of Minnesota, and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for Dakota Aggregates.
Curtis Bilow
Executive Vice President
Curtis Bilow
Executive Vice President
Curtis leads a team of business development managers focused on building relationships in our markets. He has served in numerous leadership roles and applies a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise to shaping our business development efforts. Curtis also continues to serve as corporate director of freight rail, overseeing the company’s major rail projects.
Curtis joined Ames Construction in 2005 as a project manager in our Southwest Region. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from Ferris State University in Michigan, serves on the NRC (National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association) Board of Directors, and is the Chair of the Policy and Legislative Committee.
Nick Ruba
Executive Vice President, Alternative Delivery
Nick Ruba
Executive Vice President, Alternative Delivery
As Ames Alternative Delivery (AD) lead, Nick Ruba is the corporate single point of contact across all of our regions and with all of our clients, vendors and partners. Working together with the regional AD teams, he is tasked with managing and growing the company’s already prominent position in the alternative project delivery marketplace by adapting to meet fluctuating demands in our ever-evolving industry. Nick is a proven leader who is integral in helping Ames secure projects that can be delivered safely with the highest quality on schedule and budget.
Nick joined Ames Construction in 2014. With over 30 years of prior experience in the construction industry, he gained invaluable expertise while working in nearly every region of the U.S., serving in numerous leadership roles and spanning multiple construction disciplines. Nick received his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University.
Zach Huhmann
Director of Safety and Health
Zach Huhmann
Director of Safety and Health
Zach Huhmann administers and communicates the Safety and Health Program at Ames Construction, and leads the effort to keep safety top-of-mind every day on every project and in every office. Zach analyzes collected data to identify potential safety hazards, and works closely with our regional safety teams to develop and implement initiatives to reduce and prevent accidents, occupational illnesses, and exposure to long-term health hazards, while promoting the importance of both physical and mental fitness.
Zach joined Ames Construction in 2008. He earned his degree in Safety from the University of Central Missouri, is a Certified Safety Professional and a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals and the Construction Industry Safety Initiative (CISI) group.
Sue Ritchie
Director of Risk Management
Sue Ritchie
Director of Risk Management
Sue Ritchie oversees the organization’s comprehensive insurance and risk management program. She teams with senior executives as well as legal, financial and regional representatives at Ames to identify and assess risks that could impede the reputation, safety, security or financial success of the company. She is tasked with purchasing and managing the insurance portfolio, implementing contractual risk transfer strategies, and providing risk financing, budgeting and allocation of insurance costs direction. Continually assessing the ever-changing landscape of construction risk, Sue pursues new and creative ways to address these challenges.
Sue joined Ames Construction in 2018, with more than 30 years of experience serving the construction industry. She holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation and IRMI Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) certification.
Katie Odegaard
Human Resources Director
Katie Odegaard
Human Resources Director
As our corporate human resources director, Katie Odegaard remains focused on strengthening the Human Resources team by supporting and implementing various programs and initiatives in the areas of talent management, total rewards, employee engagement, and compliance. Katie joined the company in 2021, bringing with her experience in the construction and manufacturing industries driving human resources processes, practices, and programs that impact business results.
Katie earned her Bachelors of Science in Human Resources Management and her Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. She holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certifications.
Jon Beckius
Controller
Jon Beckius
Controller
As Ames Construction’s Controller, Jon Beckius manages accounting functions including financial reporting, payroll, accounts payable, and tax compliance. He joined Ames in 2019 after serving three years as controller for another general contractor and nearly seven years in public accounting serving construction clients.
Jon earned a Bachelor of Arts in accounting and a Master of Science in Accountancy from the University of St. Thomas. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Minnesota.