Blubaugh continues service to country through construction

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We all have bad days. We all have good days. For Justin Blubaugh, it’s pretty easy to tell the difference.

“Any day is good when they’re not shooting at you,” Blubaugh said.

Blubaugh, a veteran of the Army Reserves, spent close to a year in Iraq doing construction and guard work.

“It made me appreciate what we have in this country,” said Blubaugh. “They are rebuilding from ruins and any problems we have pale in comparison.”

Honorably discharged after 10 years in the service, Blubaugh followed a family tradition by moving into construction. Both parents, as well as his two siblings, are also in the industry.

His work at Mortenson has given Blubaugh the chance to put down roots for the first time in his life. Having lived in nine states by the time he was 14, the Michigan native was ready to have a sense that somewhere was home. And he wanted to make a contribution to wherever he lived.

Blubaugh’s project list is impressive. One of the most significant was the Sojourner Truth House in Milwaukee. Working as the superintendent on the project meant overseeing 80 craft workers onsite. He was responsible for everything from coordinating subcontractors to making decisions concerning construction techniques and keeping everyone safe.

Finished last year, Sojourner was chosen as a Top Project award-winner by The Daily Reporter, and best Public/Private Partnership Project by the Milwaukee Business Journal. The center was also recognized with a Mayor’s Design Award from the city of Milwaukee.

The new Sojourner Truth House is significant in Milwaukee because it allowed the county’s child-abuse-treatment services to be centralized in one place. Before its completion, they had been spread out among three different locations.

“Justin exemplifies our core values as a responsible, trustworthy construction professional,” said John Nehls, a field operations manager for Mortenson. “His focus is on safety, teamwork and stewardship.”

Someday, Blubaugh wants to take his wife and their three kids to the building sites where he has worked so they can see all dad has accomplished. It should be an impressive tour.