Long-Term Tenure & Promoting from Within: Building Careers at Nor-Son Construction
March 16, 2026
In the construction industry, projects may last months or years, but careers can span decades. That long-term perspective is one of the things that makes the construction field unique. While many industries see frequent job hopping, construction often encourages professionals to grow within a company over time, gaining knowledge and leadership through experience.
At Nor-Son Construction, that approach is intentional. The company has long believed that strong teams—and strong projects—are built through mentorship, opportunity, and promoting from within. It’s a philosophy that has helped many employees grow from entry-level roles into leadership positions while building careers that last decades.
A Career Ladder Built Into the Industry
One of the most appealing aspects of commercial construction is the clear career progression available to those entering the field.
Unlike some professions where advancement can feel unclear, construction typically follows a structured path:
Project Engineer (PE) – Learning the fundamentals of project coordination, documentation, and field operations
Associate or Assistant Project Manager (APM) – Supporting project delivery and beginning to manage portions of projects
Project Manager (PM) – Leading projects, coordinating teams, and managing budgets and schedules
Senior Project Manager (SPM) – Overseeing large or complex projects while mentoring younger professionals
This step-by-step progression allows professionals to gradually develop the experience and leadership skills required to manage increasingly complex projects.
Mark Strelnieks, Nor-Son Construction President and a leader within the commercial construction industry, says that career ladder is one of the strongest aspects of the construction profession. “I think construction management is one of the best career tracks you’ll find,” he explains. “You can start at an entry-level role and work your way through every stage of the process.” Mark himself has experienced that progression firsthand. Over the course of his career, he has worked through nearly every role in construction management—from field and project positions to leadership. That kind of experience, he says, creates leaders who truly understand the challenges and responsibilities at every level. “In our industry, most of the people at higher levels started in entry-level positions,” Mark notes. “That makes a difference when it comes to mentorship and teamwork.”
Why People Stay in Construction
Another defining characteristic of the construction industry is longevity. It’s not uncommon for professionals to spend their entire careers within the field or even with a single company. Mark believes that happens because construction offers both stability and growth. “People are looking for a place where they feel secure, appreciated, and challenged,” he says. “They want to know they’re growing and that there’s a clear career path ahead of them.” For many employees, Nor-Son has provided that environment. Eric Lien is one example.
Eric joined Nor-Son in 2006 directly out of college after earning his construction management degree. Nearly two decades later, he now serves as a Senior Project Manager, overseeing large and complex healthcare construction projects. His career path reflects the traditional progression within construction:
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Field Engineer
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Project Engineer
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Assistant Project Manager
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Project Manager
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Senior Project Manager
Looking back, Eric says the opportunity to grow within the company was one of the biggest reasons he stayed. “You start out learning the fundamentals,” he explains. “In those early roles you’re assisting project managers and gaining experience. Then as you move up, you take on more responsibility and start managing your own projects.” Over time, that experience prepares professionals to lead larger projects and guide younger team members. Today, Eric mentors project engineers and helps them navigate the same learning process he experienced early in his career. “I try to think back to when I was in their position and share what I learned,” he says. “It’s about helping them understand the right way to approach situations and how to manage projects successfully.”
Mentorship Matters
Mentorship plays a major role in developing construction professionals. Eric credits several leaders at Nor-Son—including Richard Bell, Dave Linder, and Mark Korte—for helping shape his career. Each provided guidance, perspective, and opportunities to grow.
That mentorship culture is one of the reasons Nor-Son continues to promote from within. When experienced professionals invest in younger employees, knowledge and leadership are passed down naturally. It also creates a strong sense of teamwork.
Successful projects—and successful careers—depend on collaboration. There are always going to be problems that are faced and it is largely due to the teamwork demonstrated by Nor-Son that keeps its people together.
Designing a Career That Fits
While the construction career ladder is clear, Nor-Son also recognizes that career growth doesn’t always follow a straight line. Sometimes the best move for an employee is redefining their role. Richard Bell’s story is a good example.
Richard built a highly respected career as a Senior Project Manager specializing in healthcare construction. At one point, he was promoted into a leadership role managing other project managers. But the role didn’t align with what he enjoyed most. After some time, Richard approached leadership with an honest request—he wanted to return to what he loved most: managing projects.
Instead of losing a highly experienced builder, Nor-Son worked with him to reshape his role. He stepped back into a senior project manager position and began focusing on one project at a time. That flexibility proved valuable for everyone involved. Richard continued contributing his expertise while mentoring others, and the company retained one of its most experienced builders. It also reinforced an important principle: career growth isn’t only about promotions—it’s about finding the right fit.
Supporting Employees Through Life
Long-term careers are built on more than promotions and projects. They’re also shaped by how organizations support employees through life’s challenges. At Nor-Son, a work-life balance is important, and employees are encouraged to foster a healthy relationship between their work lives and home lives. The company creates opportunities for employees to work and grow professionally while fostering fulfilment in their personal lives. This is one of the ways Nor-Son Construction reinforces the kind of culture that encourages people to stay.
Promoting from Within
For Nor-Son, promoting from within is more than a hiring strategy—it’s a long-term vision. Rather than waiting until leadership roles open, the company actively develops future leaders early in their careers. “If we know we’ll need project managers in five years,” Mark explains, “we hire project engineers today and begin developing them.” That approach ensures employees gain the experience, mentorship, and training needed to grow into leadership roles. It also creates opportunities for people to build careers—not just jobs.
Building Lifelong Careers at Nor-Son
Nor-Son Construction has long been a place where people don’t just work—they build meaningful, lasting careers. This year, two longtime team members, Mark Korte and Mike Lease, closed their final chapters with the company as they stepped into retirement.
After three decades at Nor-Son, Mark Korte retired from his role as Director of Commercial Business Development. Throughout his career, he earned a reputation not only as a leader in his field but as someone who understood that construction is ultimately about people. Mark was known for mentoring emerging professionals, sharing his expertise generously, and helping guide the next generation along their career paths. His commitment to developing others is a defining part of the culture that keeps employees growing with Nor-Son for the long term.
Mike Lease also retired this year, concluding an impressive 35-year career. As a project superintendent, Mike was instrumental in bringing projects to life on the job site. His leadership, steady presence, and dedication to quality shaped both the work Nor-Son delivered and the professional standards the company is known for. His influence can be seen not only in the buildings he helped construct but in the culture he helped strengthen.
Together, Mark and Mike exemplify what it means to build a career at Nor-Son—where expertise, mentorship, and pride in one’s craft create a legacy that lasts well beyond the job.
The Foundation of Long-Term Success
Construction will always be about building structures. But the most successful companies understand that their real strength lies in their people. At Nor-Son Construction, long-term tenure is the result of intentional leadership, mentorship, and a commitment to developing talent from within. From young project engineers to seasoned leaders with decades of experience, the company continues to build something that lasts far beyond the jobsite—careers, relationships, and a culture that values growth. And in an industry defined by progress, that may be the most important foundation of all.
If you’re looking for a place where your work matters and your growth is invested in, consider building your future with Nor‑Son Construction. The next great career in our industry could be yours.