Bruce Engelsma grew up close to the construction world. His father, Lloyd Engelsma, was well-known for building one of Minnesota’s biggest privately owned construction companies. From when he was little, Bruce would accompany his dad to visit job sites and work during the summers at the company. He later graduated from the University of Minnesota with a business degree, prepared to continue the family business.
Career and Leadership at Kraus-Anderson
Bruce Engelsma joined Kraus-Anderson in 1975, a company that was already expanding into areas like real estate development, insurance, and retail. When his father passed away in 1997, Bruce took over as Chairman and CEO of the company. He helped grow the business across several states and led important projects like renovating historic buildings, building schools, arenas, and airports.
Achievements and Company Growth
While Bruce led the company, Kraus-Anderson completed large construction projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars every year. Some famous projects include the expansions at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and the Sanford Centre arena in Bemidji. The company also built many environmentally friendly buildings certified for their sustainability. Bruce followed his father’s example by putting a strong focus on honest relationships with clients and local communities.
Leadership Style and Company Culture
Bruce Engelsma likes to run the company by trusting his team and giving them freedom to do their best work. He compares leading the 800-employee company to steering a big cruise ship, making sure everyone moves in the same direction while letting people handle details their own way. This approach has helped create a close-knit culture at Kraus-Anderson where respect and fairness are very important.
Community Involvement
Aside from his work at Kraus-Anderson, Bruce has been active in supporting the community. He has served on boards of groups such as the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, Dunwoody Institute, and Gustavus College. He believes in giving back through supporting education, healthcare, and economic development programs.
Recent Developments and Legacy
In 2024, after more than 25 years as CEO, Bruce stepped down from that role and handed over leadership to the next generation, while still staying involved as Chairman. He looks back with satisfaction on a career that combined family tradition with steady leadership through many changes. His work has left a lasting mark on the company, the industry, and the communities they serve.
