• Josh Carr, Kraus-Anderson
• Marlee Gartner, RJM Construction
• Blake Invie, Adolfson & Peterson Construction
• Danielle Ravnikar, Loeffler Construction & Consulting
• Sara Ryan, Ryan Companies US, Inc.
• Alex Titterud, Kraus-Anderson
• Brendan Ward, Kraus-Anderson

• Randy Christenson, KFI Engineers
• Jason Gabrick, Ryan Companies US, Inc.
• Andy Garcia, Ryan Companies US, Inc.
• Matt Gardner, MMC
• Ryan Klick, Kraus-Anderson
• Amber Kohler, MBA, Target
• Yolanda McIntosh, Associated General Contractors of Minnesota
• Matt Stringfellow, Kraus-Anderson
• Laurie Trousil, Kraus-Anderson
• Benjamin VandenWymelenberg, WOODCHUCK USA

Each student attending the Leadership Academy must participate in at least one event in the Construct*ium Future Leaders Challenge.  Event timeslots will be assigned by MCA staff and emailed to students the week before the event.

Freeform Presentation Competition

Focused on talking points and engagement with the audience

Sponsored by Rochon

The Freeform Presentation provides students the opportunity to present on a topic of their choice within the construction industry. Presentation materials and visual aids are encouraged but not required for the competition. This informal style presentation focuses on the student’s engagement and interaction with the audience, knowledge of talking points, and a professional approach. Each presentation will be approximately 5-7 minutes.

Job Interview

Interviewing skills developmental experience

Sponsored by KOMA

This event involves two parts: A resume review and a mock interview (students must bring a resume with them to the event to receive resume feedback). The mock interview, conducted by a construction professional experienced in interviewing, allows the student to participate in a real job interview and receive actionable, on the spot, feedback. The student can expect to be asked real life behavioral based interview questions like those they will answer when interviewing for a job. Feedback will revolve around how well they presented themselves physically and verbally as well as how they used real life examples to demonstrate experience or proficiency in a particular skill or competency.

Check out MCA’s guide How to Ace Your Job Interview for tips and to help you prepare for this competition.

Leadership Lounge

Sponsored by Kraus-Anderson

The leadership lounge will provide small group networking and learning opportunities for young professionals and students in between their scheduled competitions and/or general session presentations. It will also provide an opportunity for young professionals from sponsoring companies to prepare a presentation and share their knowledge in a semi-formal setting. Topics may include networking (inside and outside your company), working with difficult people, ethics and customer service. Presenting companies will also have the opportunity to have a table where presenters could have follow-up conversations on topics presented.

Negotiation Skills Competition

Real-world construction claim with multiple perspectives and feedback

Sponsored by Adolfson & Peterson Construction

This competition provides students a real-life opportunity to improve their skills on negotiating. Prior to the event, students registered will be given detailed information about the construction claim – a list of parties involved, a copy of the contracts, and foundation of the claim. Details of the claim will be drawn at random during the competition and be used as the topic of negotiation. Each student will be given a role and will need to defend and negotiate the best outcome based on the detail being discussed. View the Negotiation Exercise.

The Pursuit

Create and present a complete proposal to win the contract for a real project
Sponsored by Ryan Companies

The Pursuit (formerly the Capstone Competition) challenges students to create and present a complete proposal to win the contract for a real project. Groups of 5-6 students will be required to submit qualifications, cost, schedule and project work plans for the project and present to a jury of professionals, who will judge and select the winners. Please note, there is no “day of” registration for this competition. Teams need to be pre-selected from each school to participate.

Table Topics

Thinking on your feet, public speaking developmental experience

Sponsored by Loeffler Construction & Consulting

Using the Toastmaster format, students will be provided a topic and will speak for 1-2 minutes about that topic. The topics will generally be construction related and will provide the student an opportunity to demonstrate some knowledge of the topic in an organized and concise manner. Students will receive feedback on their ability to think on their feet and clearly articulate their thoughts in the time allotted.