Kraus-Anderson announces top management positions

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (March 16, 2026) – Kraus-Anderson (KA) on Monday announced two top management positions. KA Construction has named Rich Jacobson as president. He previously served as executive vice president and chief operating officer. Jacobson succeeds longtime KA Construction president Al Gerhardt, who will become chief operating officer of KA Companies.

For nearly two decades, Gerhardt and Jacobson have worked side by side to calibrate KA Construction’s ongoing strategy for scaling growth and opportunities. Together they have driven ambitious initiatives relating to talent, technology, geographic market expansion, new and expanding market sectors, and comprehensive advisory services to building owners.

“This leadership transition comes as the result of a long and thoughtful process of succession planning,” said Pete Diessner, Chief Executive Officer of KA Companies. “Each leader personifies KA’s core values of integrity, commitment, teamwork and valuing people, and together they have contributed a remarkable 80 years of dedication to KA’s growth and success.”

Gerhardt joined KA in 1980 as a project manager and led the growth of the company’s construction operations strategy, including the consolidation of Twin Cities offices and the construction of KA’s downtown headquarters on the KA Block.

Jacobson joined KA in 1992 as a project manager and has guided construction among diverse stakeholders in numerous building sectors, including K-12 schools, government, commercial projects and regional office expansion.

“Thanks to their visionary leadership, KA Construction is growing to new levels of expertise and accomplishment, while ever mindful of staying true to our tradition of fair, ethical practices and building opportunities for our people, our clients and our communities,” added Diessner.