KNOBELSDORFF - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice President - Strategy, Renewable Energy
A business advisor with KE since 2019, Aaron's outgoing personality and sense of humor is what makes him a true mentor to the team. His extensive background in the renewable energy market has allowed him to help develop and refine operating practices at KE and support company growth.
Aaron graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato with a degree in Construction Management. He has continued to build his professional acumen with plethora of continuing education courses focused in construction execution/design, business management and leadership.
Aaron is heavily involved in his family farming operation in Pine Island, MN and enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Construction Executive - Energy
"My motto is if you don't put yourself out there, you will not fail. The only ones that get better are the ones that try, fail and try again. You're failing because you're trying. And that makes the best employees here at KE."
Working for KE his entire career, Brandon boldly boosts employee identification number 003. Brandon has held virtually every position at KE. Brandon currently oversees solar construction projects and mentors team members.
Brandon, his wife Christina and four kids enjoy traveling to Disney each year and farming.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Electric Operations
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Preconstruction, Energy
Job Titles:
- Director - Business Development
"Working in the agriculture and industrial industries, you tend to cross paths with many people at many different points, and KE and I are no exception. I've been fortunate to have worked with KE over the past decade in a variety of facets."
Jason joined KE in early 2021 in the newly created position of Director, Business Development. With more than 20 years of engineering and electrical experience, Grahek began his career as a project engineer for The Lakeland Companies and moved on to focus on sales and business development. His impressive career also includes working for AGI/CMC and Industrial Automation Engineering.
Grahek holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from The University of North Dakota. A native of Hibbing, MN, Jason and his family reside in East Bethel, MN and enjoy spending time at their cabin in Grand Rapids.
Jason Thompson joined KE spring 2021. After earning his BS in engineering from the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Jason entered the electrical industry. He served a variety of roles throughout his career including business development, field engineering and operations management. His primary areas of focus include driving business growth, employee development and strategic corporate alignment and integration.
When he is not working, Jason enjoys spending time with his family and friends at his cabin in northwest Wisconsin.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- President & CEO of KE
"I couldn't be more proud of my team and what we've done to get where we are today. I'm excited for our future, not only for the company and our customers, but for my KE family as well."
Karl has been the President & CEO of KE since 2015, and has grown the company to new heights. His work ethic and dedication to doing things the right way, the #KEway for the Knobelsdorff customers and team members is the foundation of the recent years of success, and the success that is yet to come. Karl likes to take challenges head on, and has built the team to solve them all.
Karl and his family reside in rural Goodhue, MN and enjoy spending time together in the outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Preconstruction & Estimating
Job Titles:
- Director
- Executive Director, Automation
Melanie joined Knobelsdorff in 2014 with 17+ years of accounting experience and 12+ years in human resources. Her formal education includes degrees from both MN State College SE Technical - Red Wing (AAS Accounting) and Metro State University (BA HR Management).
Melanie's abilities to multi-task and adapt to the changing needs of a growing organization have helped her become an irreplaceable member of the Knobelsdorff team. She is also a Minnesota Notary and a member of SHRM.
When she's not working, Melanie spends time with her husband Jermey and their son Zack on their sheep farm. As a family, they enjoy traveling to sheep shows, fishing, and hunting. Both Melanie and her husband are active in the Pierce County 4H and the Ellsworth FFA. They enjoy seeing their son Zack compete in wrestling, football, and track.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Energy Operations Manager
Job Titles:
- Director - People and Culture
"When organizations understand the interwoven relationship between strategy and a powerful organizational culture, they are empowered to create and sustain a competitive advantage over their competition. KE is empowered by vision, strategy, and a one-of-a-kind culture that creates a powerful recipe for success. I am honored to be on a team that embraces a passion for both strategy and people."
Natalie joined Knobelsdorff with 20+ years of experience in Human Resources, Safety, and Training & Development. Her experience is backed by an MBA in Strategic Leadership and a Master of Science in Human Resources. Additionally, she maintains a multitude of professional certifications.
In her spare time, Natalie enjoys crafting, scrapbooking, reading, a great movie or sitcom, and spending time with friends and family. Coming from a large family of nine, with six children of her own and three grandchildren, there is always a family event to attend and there is never a dull moment.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director of Project Management Organization
Paul's impressive finance career expands the construction industry, working with a variety of private, family-owned organizations. A results-driven executive, Pauls' core competencies include executive leadership, strategic planning, general management, analytics and forecasting, operations management, budgeting and forecasting, ERP conversion, and safety management.
Paul is very involved in his community spending seven years on the Rosemount Area Athletic Association (RAAA) Board, including four years as its President. Paul also serves on the Rosemount City Council and is serving in his second year of his second four-year term and Chair of the Rosemount Port Authority.
Job Titles:
- Employee
- Construction Executive - Electric
Shane is the longest tenured employee here at Knobelsdorff. He's been a part of the growth since he graduated high school and began his electrical apprenticeship 20 years ago. After learning the ways of the electrical industry from the early days, to now teaching the younger generation of Electricians here at KE, Shane has become a great example for the Knobelsdorff brand and represents the #KEway.
Shane has a wife and three kids that he enjoys camping with, and he also likes to do projects around the house.