Minneapolis' Knutson Construction hires director of mission critical. July 21, 2026 Minneapolis' Knutson Construction hired Travis Pakonen as Director of Mission Critical, a newly created leadership role that reflects the company's long-term commitment to mission-critical and digital infrastructure projects. Pakonen will lead Knutson's efforts to support clients building data centers and other highly specialized facilities where reliability, speed to market and operational continuity are essential. Pakonen joins Knutson with more than 25 years of industry experience. Most recently, he served as Market Executive at Mortenson, supporting some of the nation's largest hyperscale data center campuses, where he led strategic growth, program management, organizational development and operational excellence.

Construction safety week at Knutson. This past week, Knutson employees came together to celebrate its commitment to safety and its wonderful teams who make it all happen. Throughout the week, several of its job sites hosted safety breakfasts and lunches, creating opportunities for teams to connect and learn more. Team members signed safety banners as a visible reminder of their dedication to keeping one another safe on every project. Knutson Construction Company also had the honor of accepting a prestigious safety award from the Minnesota Governor's Safety Awards, recognizing the hard work, accountability, and strong safety culture demonstrated across its teams. To wrap up the celebration, Knutson Construction Company shared videos on LinkedIn and Facebook featuring its field teams highlighting "great catches" on the jobsite and answering an important question: Who do you work safe for? See below for a visual recap of the week! Safety breakfast and lunch. Minnesota Governor's Safety award. "Our project participation in the MNSHARP program proves to be a real educational opportunity for contractors on site, giving trade workers and managers exposure to safety standards and best practices they haven't experienced before in an environment that promotes a culture of learning and growth. With our collaboration on the MNSHARP program, our onsite project teams are setting the bar higher for safety, while working for a client that equally prioritizes safety and really appreciates Knutson's level of commitment to Safety on the project." - Brinnon Kubista, Project Manager Videos. Video Player

From experience to execution - MSP terminal projects. MSP Airport Terminal 2 Expansion in Progress - See How W.L. Hall Co. is Delivering W.L. Hall Co. is proud to be working on the Terminal 2 North Gate Expansion at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport - in close collaboration with Miller Dunwiddie Architects and Morcon Construction (Fridley) - to help bring their complex, high-visibility design to life. As part of this expansion, its team is currently furnishing and installing all exterior glazing systems for four new gates. This scope includes a sophisticated integration of HWindow wood curtainwall and Kawneer 1600 aluminum curtainwall - carefully coordinated to deliver both the warmth of natural materials and the performance of advanced aluminum systems within a unified building envelope. A defining architectural element of the project is the incorporation of custom sawtooth curtainwall geometries. These dynamic façade forms not only create a striking visual identity but also require a high level of precision in engineering, fabrication, and installation. Successfully executing this design demanded early design-assist engagement, detailed coordination with the project team, and a deep understanding of constructability within an active airport environment. To meet the project's performance and sustainability goals, the curtainwall system integrates multiple advanced glazing technologies, including: Viracon high-performance insulating glass to support thermal efficiency and occupant comfort Sage electrochromic glass allows dynamic tinting to optimize daylight while reducing glare and solar heat gain Onyx photovoltaic glass contributes to on-site renewable energy generation and reinforces the project's sustainability objectives Working within the operational constraints of a major airport adds another layer of complexity, requiring careful logistics planning, phased installation strategies, and close coordination to minimize disruption while meeting strict safety and scheduling requirements. Through proactive collaboration, technical expertise, and disciplined execution, its team is helping translate the project's ambitious design intent into a high-performing, buildable solution. The result is a façade system that will enhance daylighting, improve energy performance, and establish a bold, forward-looking architectural identity for Terminal 2. Its current work at Terminal 2 builds on extensive improvements W.L. Hall Co. has successfully completed at Terminal 1. W.L. Hall Co. collaborated with Alliiance Architects (Minneapolis) and multiple general contractors - including Morcon Construction, Knutson Construction, and Sheehy Construction to bring their design vision for Terminal 1 to reality. Delivered across multiple phased projects, each with its own team and coordination challenges, these installations required flexibility, consistency, and a deep understanding of both design and constructability. Nearly every system was uniquely engineered to bring the project vision to life: Erie Architectural blast-resistant curtainwall with electrochromic glazing Custom bent interior lakes wall curtainwall with patterned glass All-glass guardrails at the central ticketing level Custom elevator enclosures, escalator glass, and railing systems Integrated glass wayfinding features and mirrored elements Custom parking garage façade systems Overcoming Airport Logistics Delivering in an Active Terminal Environment Its experience at Terminal 1 highlighted the complexities of working within a fully operational airport: Restricted access and strict security protocols Limited staging and material storage areas Continuous passenger traffic requires carefully phased work Complex material movement and installation sequencing Through proactive planning, strong communication, and close collaboration with project teams and airport operations, W.L. Hall Co. successfully navigated these challenges - ensuring safe, efficient delivery while maintaining uninterrupted terminal activity. Reach out to W.L. Hall Co. with your complex project design challenges - including those with demanding logistics - and its team will partner with you through design-assist and beyond to help navigate critical considerations and bring your vision to life. No-Cost Consultations W. L. Hall Company The Premier Exterior and Interior Building Systems Provider in the Upper Midwest 75 Years' Experience | 15,000+ Projects (952) 937-8400 wlhall.com [email protected]