As Shingobee celebrates 35 years in business – a look back, and looking forward
Grand Casino Mille Lacs Hotel
When Gae Veit started her own company in 1980, she would not have dreamed of the success it would become. Starting out with providing construction-related activities like fencing and snow-plowing, she soon moved into general contracting for construction. The company’s first construction project was a municipal garage remodel for Brooklyn Center. By 1985, she had her first corporate client, McDonald’s, and by 1990, her first tribal project (Grand Casino Mille Lacs Hotel, in a joint venture with A&P Construction), and her first million-dollar project – a renovation of the St. Cloud Veterans Administration Hospital.
Veit’s recognition as a trailblazer in the construction industry grew, and in 1991 she was recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce as its Entrepreneur of the Year, an award presented by George H.W. and Barbara Bush.
U.S. Department of Commerce – Entrepreneur of the Year recognition
The 1990s saw substantial growth in the company, as we developed relationships with a “who’s who” list of Minnesota corporations – The Pillsbury Company, Northern States Power, Target, US West, Holiday Companies, McDonald’s, Dain Rauscher, Alliant TechSystems, Minnesota Air National Guard, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, and others. Shingobee’s projects started to gain recognition from its peers with its first national award for the National Sports Center Super Rink in 1999.
St. Cloud Regional Airport Terminal
Landmark projects in the 1990’s included:
During this era, organizational changes were made to accommodate the growing company. Keith McDonald (who had been with the company since 1988) became President of Operations, and a second office was opened in St. Cloud to serve outstate Minnesota areas under the direction of Steve Schultz.
The 2000s saw continued growth in major corporate clients and construction projects, as well as ventures into real estate development. Self-developed projects included The Cornerstone development in St. Michael and a retail center in Ramsey, among others. Landmark projects in the 2000s included:
Landscape Structures Corporate Headquarters
In 2007, Gae Veit retired, and Keith McDonald became the CEO / President and owner of Shingobee.
Recent years have seen significant ventures into the North Dakota market while maintaining the Minnesota base of clients. Recent landmark projects include:
Sky Dancer Casino & Resort
In 2014, Shingobee was recognized by the Associated Builders and Contractors MN/ND Chapter as its Construction Company of the Year.
Looking Forward
Holiday Stationstore Stanley ND
As Shingobee looks forward to its future, it anticipates continued growth in corporate clients while maintaining the base of continuing clients like CenturyLink, Holiday Stationstores, Shakopee Mdewakanton, and McDonald’s. It continues to focus on the markets in which it has become an expert, such as retail, restaurants, tribal, and hospitality, all while venturing into growth areas like health care. Development continues and new work is generated every year, including site search and construction services for a select group of clients.
We owe our past and continuing success to our clients, associates, subcontractors and employees who all contributed to our success. Our thanks and appreciation to everyone involved with Shingobee – We look forward to many more years of working together!