BD Constr., Inc.

Born in Broken Bow and raised in Kearney, Brenda Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in finance from the University of Nebraska-Kearney. In 1996, she began her career at BD Construction as the company’s Controller.

 Over the next two decades, Brenda served as Treasurer for the organization and as advisor on business operations, finances and organizational development alongside her husband Mark, then president and CEO. Upon his death in 2015, Brenda stepped into the President’s role. In this position, Brenda is dedicated to preserving and furthering BD Construction’s position as an innovative construction management firm and a trusted business partner to build education, health, commercial, cultural and manufacturing projects.

She is co-owner of several local businesses, and advocate for the Kearney Public Schools Special Education Program and member of Buffalo County Republican Women. Brenda brings a commitment to excellence, an attention to detail and an imaginative vision to all that she does.

An energetic and visionary leader, Mark Benjamin’s legacy of professionalism, collaboration and innovation continues to shape BD Construction today. Mark was a leader in the industry and in the Kearney community, and instilled the BD Construction culture with the character, skill and enthusiasm to exceed the expectations of everyone it encounters.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in business from Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska at Kearney) in 1983, Mark Benjamin interviewed with BD Construction in Columbus, Neb. The founders, Gene Bierman and Bill Dreifurst, gave him a chance in commercial sales in the new office they were opening in Kearney.

Their decision paid off. In 1987, Mark was named general manager and, in 2002, he became the majority shareholder, president and CEO of BD Construction, Inc./Kearney. During his tenure, BD Construction has built, and continues to build, many notable projects including schools, banks, retail stores and industrial and healthcare facilities throughout Nebraska, Kansas and the Midwest.

Active in the industry and community, Mark served as a member of the Nebraska Building Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America and was the President of the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. He also served on the Southeast Community College Building Construction Technology Advisory Council, and as a trustee (1 of 16 in the USA) for the national Associated General Contractors Legislative Affairs Committee.

Mark passed away in April 2015. His spirit lives on in the company he shaped and the family and friends who cherish his memory.

Dan Schulte brings more than thirty years of expertise in manufacturing operations and engineering management to benefit BD Construction clients as they seek profitable growth through new construction or renovation projects. In his previous role, Dan oversaw minor and major facilities renovations and additions including the $40 million addition to Kearney’s Baldwin Filters plant in 2015.

Dan enjoys seeing projects come to life from inception to completion and sharing his operational expertise in manufacturing and facilities to help BD’s customers be successful.

Dan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from South Dakota State University and is skilled in environmental health and safety, project management and in reducing and eliminating materials and labor waste.  He is involved in his church, Prince of Peace, as a member of the buildings and grounds committee and the choir. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and served on the executive steering committee that raised $10 million to build a new Central Community College-Kearney campus. Warm weather will find Dan outside landscaping or smoking meat. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Lori, and their four daughters, Brittany (Cody Kissel), Morgan, Connor and Tessa, and one grandson, Colin Kissel.

Jon Mosbarger’s early experience in the construction industry led him to pursue a degree in construction management from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. While in school, he completed an internship with BD Construction, and upon graduation, was offered a job to join BD full time.

Born and raised in Kearney, Jon was drawn to BD’s professionalism and camaraderie. Jon’s rigorous classroom education as well as his experience in the field make him a valuable member of the BD team. Jon is a member of the American Concrete Institute, and when not on the job, enjoys hunting, fishing and working on his car.

During his 20 years working as a design engineer and project manager in Kearney, Kent Cordes had frequent opportunities to work with BD Construction as a consultant. He enjoyed working with the BD team and noted the team members’ commitment to their clients, their professionalism and their spirit of cooperation. In 2013, Kent decided to join the BD team and looks forward to the new challenges ahead.

Originally from York, Kent obtained his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1993 and his master’s degree in civil engineering a year later, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A registered Professional Engineer, Kent has extensive experience with surface water drainage and stormwater runoff issues.

Off the job, Kent serves as the congregational chairman at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, participates with his son in Cub Scouts and formerly volunteered as a baseball coach in Riverdale. He is a member of the Nebraska Floodplain and Stormwater Management Association. He enjoys woodworking, fishing, camping and golf.

Linette Butler joined BD Construction in 1996 working in accounts payable, eventually earning the position of senior accountant and, in 2016, general manager. Linette holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Due to Linette’s focus and organizational skills, BD Construction employs an open-book policy and clear cost-plus-work guidelines that enable clients to easily monitor project costs, which are tracked and managed through collaboration with project managers and the estimating department.

Linette’s drive is not limited to the workplace. She has served as president of the Association of General Contractors of America Nebraska Building Chapter Board of Directors – the first woman to hold that position. She has served as chairperson of the Membership Development committee and participated in the Construction Leadership Academy. A graduate of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Leadership Nebraska Class XI, Linette is a member of UNK’s College of Business and Technology Dean’s Leadership Council, Kearney Works board member, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Envoys, and American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women. Linette loves life at the lake, riding her bikes (motorcycle and bicycle), attending Husker football games, traveling and spending time with her family and friends.

Marsha Wilkerson observed BD Construction’s work firsthand as a volunteer on a project to update several schools in Kearney. Impressed by the team’s openness, honesty and thoughtful approach to involving the community in the process, Marsha is delighted to be part of the BD Construction crew to assist other great communities.

A Kearney native and graduate of Kearney State College (now UNK), Marsha worked in communications consulting across the nation as well as marketing for healthcare and financial services in Omaha before returning to Kearney as a healthcare marketing and communications professional..

Marsha serves on the Kearney Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, as a Chamber Envoy and is a member of the Stewardship Board at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. She enjoys boating and camping with her family, especially when she can take a good book along.

A native of Kearney, Mike Kalb earned his BS in business administration with emphasis in finance and accounting from Kearney State College (now UNK) in 1991. Following stints as Western Missouri Region Manager for GE Capital Financial Services and as a broker for Morgan Stanley financial services, Mike joined BD construction in 2002.

Mike serves on the Association of General Contractors Nebraska Building Chapter Nebraska Design and Construction Industry Council and participated in the 2010-2011 Construction Leadership Academy. Active in the community, Mike is the co-founder of Kearney Cares, member of the Kearney Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors and vice-president of Kearney Little League. He is also the co-organizer and co-manager of five real estate development companies in the Kearney area.

As business development director, Mike leads the Business Development and Marketing team as well as works with and advises potential clients regarding construction projects.

With a strong history in account management, Scott Kralik brings robust relationship-building skills to his role in business development. He works alongside clients to develop construction solutions that meet their needs and help their businesses grow.

Scott graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. His career as a global account manager and, prior to that, regional sales manager – Middle East, gave Scott a proven record of experience in growing business and developing new distribution routes. Scott joined BD Construction to contribute to the success of a Nebraska-based company. He is familiar with BD Construction’s work as a dad—his three children have attended schools built or renovated by BD Construction.

After years of volunteering on the Kearney Soccer Board and serving as a youth soccer coach for more than ten years, Scott’s weekends are now free to enjoy his hobbies of fishing and spending more quality time with his wife Mashall, family and friends.

Jeff Hoppenstedt came by his love of the construction industry naturally; in fact, you might say it’s in his genes. Both his father and grandfather have worked in the construction industry, and, Jeff would visit job sites with his dad as a child. He started working summers for BD when he was 15. All of this has provided Jeff experience beyond his years.

Born in Columbus but raised in Kearney, Jeff is a graduate of Kearney Catholic High School and also attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Jeff enjoys the opportunity to work outdoors as part of a team and takes satisfaction in things he’s built himself. When not on the job site, Jeff enjoys riding four-wheelers on the river, golfing and spending time with family and friends.