Sever Construction Company

For over 20 years, Matt Sever has been a business owner in Minnesota, beginning his first co-partnered endeavor in 2002. It was no small feat when Matt decided to start his own business, becoming owner and president of Sever Construction in 2009 – at a time when the construction industry and the nation’s economy were both in rather questionable states.

Fast-forward nearly two decades later, where Matt has worked diligently to produce a growing construction firm comprised of skilled professionals. The construction management team includes project managers, superintendents, business development and marketing, an office operation manager and project assistant.

Through years of active listening and open, honest communication, Matt has established several long-lasting relationships within the commercial real estate industry.

To date, Matt Sever and his team have ensured the successful delivery of over 1,250 construction projects throughout the Twin Cities.

What Matt Does Best: Lead by Example
Matt strategically aligns clients, employees and trade partners in a position that exceeds the benefits of all parties.

Bucket List
More world travels.

Motto
Always treat people as you would like to be treated.

Frank’s professional experience in the construction industry began seven years ago when he joined the AmeriCorps National Service Program with Habitat for Humanity in New York City as a Crew Leader building affordable housing in Brooklyn, NYC. He later spearheaded building and opening the first ReStore retail outlet in Queens, NYC. The Habitat for Humanity ReStores are “home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price.”

After four years with Habitat NYC, Frank headed across the United States to Seattle where he was the Construction Manager for Tremco Roofing and Building Maintenance. In this role, Frank managed over two-million square-feet of commercial roofing restoration and replacement.

What Frank Does Best: Adaptability
In construction, situations can sometimes change from minute-to-minute. My experience as a volunteer fire fighter always has me thinking of a back-up plan that can be put into place at a moment’s notice.

Bucket List
Frank loves woodworking and creating craft-work with raw materials. One day, he aspires to start a woodworking after-school or summer program that teaches the next generation more about carpentry finishing.

Favorite Quote
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
– Mark Twain

Matt Becker has recently joined the SCC team as project manager and brings more than 15 years of industry experience along with him. Matt’s career in construction began much earlier than that, however.

At the age of twelve, Matt started out working for his dad’s commercial general contracting company as a demolition laborer. From there, Matt began painting for residential, apartment and office projects.

After graduating Minnesota State, Mankato, Matt kicked off his career in project management, working for a commercial tile contractor. He continued to work his way over to the general contracting side of the business, remaining in project management.

National market retail projects for Crave, Evereve, Torrid, VANS and The North Face are all part of Matt’s project portfolio as well as education projects, including the Apple Valley High School which had a construction value greater than $10 MM.

What Matt Does Best: Respond
The level of responsiveness and persistent nature assist Matt in getting a job done on time and on budget. He exercises consistent and organized processes throughout his daily project management duties.

Bucket List
Matt would like to take his family on a cruise around the world.

For nearly two decades, Matthew Wagner has been in the construction industry. His primary focus has been ground-up, new build construction projects. His project management portfolio includes Coloplast Headquarters in Minneapolis and the Gopher Resources Recycling Center in Tampa, Florida.

Matthew is well versed in the industrial, hospitality, medical, office and aviation markets. His background includes leading operations with an emphasis on Lean deployment in construction and he’s achieved a green belt in Six Sigma as well as the Lean Silver Certification.

His interest in construction began in elementary school where he volunteered to work on the community’s high school’s new football field house. From there, he’s been passionate about construction which has led him to exciting projects such as the Four Winds Casino in Michigan and the Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital in Grand Rapids, Minn.

What Matthew Does Best: Connect
Matthew has the ability to connect with a variety of people at all levels. This characteristic has served him well in building strong relationships that often lead to great opportunities, both personally and professionally. While Matthew is persistent and driven, he is conscientious of his peer motivations and goals.

Favorites
Hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and smoking meats.

Favorite Quote
“Have the courage and strength to say the things that need to be said and do the things that need to be done. Respect and honor will follow; and, your character will not be questioned.”

Tyler Johnson may be new to the SCC team, but he’s certainly not new to construction. In fact, as a kid, he was his dad’s shadow on several residential and commercial construction projects, picking up tricks of the trade.

In 1997, Tyler’s dad started a roofing and siding company whom performed work throughout the metro. From the age of 15, Tyler was an on-site laborer who grew into the role of a carpenter, assisting on projects.

Graduating in 2017 from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Tyler has plenty of grit and gumption to take on a variety of project types and markets.

Along the years of his young career, Tyler has also held the roles of field engineer and assistant superintendent.

What Tyler Does Best: Adapt
Tyler navigates easily through challenges by applying his strong communication skills. His ability to multi-task, ask questions and retain knowledge quickly through hands-on demonstration makes him a strong and valuable team player.

Bucket List
A few make the list: sky dive, ride in a hot air balloon and golf on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada.

In April of 2018, Melissa Bjornson joined the Sever Construction team as Sales and Marketing Manager. With over a decade of experience in marketing and communications, Melissa strengthens the SCC brand through strategic digital messaging, functional collateral and industry-related networking events. Her capacity to think big picture and tactical talents are complemented well with her ability to build long-lasting relationships.

What Melissa Does Best: Operate with Integrity
In all of Melissa’s efforts, one common thread is integrity. She has a genuine approach which is a fundamental characteristic for building relationships. Melissa finds it important to employ a healthy balance of veracity and observance.

Bucket List
Learn how to figure skate – yes, as in the triple axel and stuff.

Motto
Strategy is one thing but being authentic is everything.

Chris Passolt is the glue-which-holds here at Sever Construction, fulfilling her role as Accounting and Office Operations Manager. No two days are the same in Chris’ world, and yet she delivers on each task effortlessly. Whether Chris is preparing payroll or processing invoices, printing checks, setting up phone lines, ordering a plotter, or making a fresh pot of coffee she manages a long list of requests.

For 20 years, Chris has held roles that are central to companies’ daily operations including business analyst and project manager at SunGard Financial Systems, and Executive Assistant at TEAM Informatics. Oh, and did we mention? Chris is a mother of four children, which includes a set of twins – we really don’t know how she does it all!.

What Chris Does Best: Multi-Task
Chris enjoys working on several different tasks and projects throughout each day and week. With a positive attitude, Chris helps the team wherever and whenever possible.

Bucket List
Raise healthy, happy kids who turn out to be great people. Travel, travel, travel!