2025 Award Recipients

Congratulations to this year's Award Recipients!

The following individuals, firms, and agencies will receive recognition for their achievements at AGC Honors 2026 on January 14.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:
GEORGE W. MATTSON

George Mattson’s lifelong passion for construction began in 1952 at age thirteen when he spent summers operating a Caterpillar D4 tractor pulling a sheepsfoot roller on rural Minnesota highway projects alongside his father and grandfather for the family construction company—earning 75 cents an hour (documented by pay stubs he still proudly keeps).

After earning his Civil Engineering degree from the University of Minnesota in 1963, George balanced a growing family and full-time work while attending William Mitchell College of Law at night and on weekends, graduating in 1969.   George and his wife, Marilyn, were high school sweethearts who married in 1963.  They raised their two daughters, Michelle and Julz, in Forest Lake, MN. 

In 1968 he co-founded Shafer Contracting Company, Inc. with his father Bud (President), uncle John (Vice President), and Milt Neils (Treasurer). George served as Secretary and later succeeded his father as President upon Bud’s retirement. Today, the company remains partially owned and operated by family members, such as daughter, Michelle, and cousin, Brad, each serving as company officers.

George has given decades of service to the industry: he served on the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Minnesota Board, becoming Chairman in 2007; received the prestigious Arnie Laingen Award of Excellence from the Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota (CPAM) in 2003; for several years acted as a trustee for the MN Teamsters Pension, H&W & Apprenticeship Fund; and served as President of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association in Arizona.

Above all, George is quick to credit Shafer Contracting’s success to its dedicated employees who consistently deliver quality work for project owners. As the company continues to grow under new generations of leadership and skilled teams, George Mattson’s legacy of hard work, integrity, and family values remains its foundation.

SKILL-RESPONSIBILITY-INTEGRITY (SRI) AWARD:
MARK MAGNEY

Mark began his construction career at the age of 16 working as a laborer for Magney Construction Company of Minneapolis. Magney Construction Company was founded by his father in 1957. During high school and college, Mark worked summers as a laborer and carpenter for Magney. Mark attended the University of Minnesota and graduated in 1979 with a Degree in Civil Engineering.

In 1979 Mark began working full time with Magney Construction Company. The first two years of his career he was a superintendent on the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant for the City of Big, Lake, MN. After the Big Lake project, he moved into the office to learn estimating and project management.

In 1986 Mark moved on to Bor-Son Construction. He was project manager and estimator on many water and wastewater treatment plants as well as some commercial projects at Bor-Son. Two of the larger projects he managed were the Owatonna WWTP and the St. Cloud WTP.

In 1994 Mark decided to start a construction company of his own, Magney Construction, Inc. Mark was the only employee for the first six months. With Mark’s extensive background in the construction of water and wastewater treatment plants, he decided that would be the primary focus of his new company.

Magney Construction has grown steadily over the years from 1 employee and $1 million in annual revenue the first year to about 75 employees and $70 million in annual revenue. The company has completed over 400 water/wastewater treatment plants and pump stations throughout the upper Midwest. A majority of the work is public.

Mark’s father’s company was a member of AGC and he always stressed to Mark the importance of belonging and supporting AGC. Mark joined the AGC of Minnesota Convention Planning Committee in 1983. Those were the days when the AGC Convention was a two-day event held at the Radisson South. Mark continued his involvement with AGC while at Bor-Son. And when he started his new company in 1994, he immediately joined AGC.

In addition to volunteer work with AGC, Mark has served the following non-profits, government and industry associations:

• Minnetonka Rotary Club for 30 years and past president.
• East Tonka Youth Baseball Board
• Gethsemane Lutheran Church Board
• Minnesota Society of Professional Engineers – Engineers in Construction, Board member and past president
• Central USSA Region One Alpine Skiing Board Member and past president
• Open Circle Adult Day Care Board member
•  Minnetonka Planning Commission
• U of MN Civil Engineering Advisory Board
• Minnesota Utility Contractors Association (MUCA) Board Member and past president
• Minnesota Concrete Council Board Member and past president
• Current Management Trustee for the Cement Finishers Pension Fund
• Current Board Member of Sugarloaf Cove - The Northshore Stewardship Association

Mark’s biggest supporter throughout his career has been his wife of 45 years, Tammy. Mark and Tammy have two children and four grandchildren. Mark & Tammy enjoy spending their winters skiing in Idaho and Montana with their kids and grandkids.

Mark has recently sold his business to two long time employees; however, he continues to work part time at Magney. He enjoys helping with estimating and mentoring the younger estimators and project managers.

CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF FORMER
SRI AND LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS.

JEFF JENSEN MEMORIAL CONSTRUCTION SAFETY EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Culture of CARE Impact Champions:

PCL Construction

RJM Construction

christa seaberg

EEO/Workforce Development Representative
Lunda/C.S. McCrossan Joint Venture

Legislative award of distinction

AGC is pleased to honor the following legislator for his service to AGC members and the construction industry throughout his career!

Senator Scott Dibble has a long track record of leadership, a deep commitment to construction-sector investments, a forward-thinking vision for transportation, and the ability to unite diverse stakeholders to get things done. His work has materially strengthened Minnesota’s roads, bridges, transit systems, and construction economy.

Dibble has served as chair of the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee since 2023. He also serves on the Capital Investment, the Energy, Utilities, and Climate, and the Taxes Committees. From 2013 to 2017, Dibble chaired the Transportation and Public Safety Committee. His ability to build bipartisan consensus, including unanimous passage of major transportation policy, reflects deep expertise, steady leadership, and a commitment to getting infrastructure right for Minnesota. He is also an ally to consistently pass bonding bills to invest in our state and local infrastructure. Senator Dibble’s visionary, pragmatic, and industry-supportive approach make him a standout choice for AGC of Minnesota’s Legislator of Distinction.

AGC/MNDOT BRIDGE AWARDS (2024 COMPLETION)

These annual awards recognize and showcase craftsmanship, technical skills, innovation, and dedication to quality in the bridge construction market. Each nominee submitted in the four awarded categories is field reviewed and evaluated by a panel of MnDOT and industry representatives.

Bridge No. 69139 on US 53 over Michigan St. and Superior St. in Duluth

Ames Kraemer Joint Venture, MnDOT District 1, Project Engineer Pete Marthaler,
Project Supervisor Al Jicha, Bridge Chief Inspector Eric Breitsprecher

Bridge No. 9217E on Trunk Highway 494 over Minnesota River

Lunda Construction (Rosemount), MnDOT Metro District, Project Engineer Brian Tomassoni,
Bridge Chief Inspector Mark Mehlhorn