Charlie Tollefson

Charlie has been with Gehrtz Construction Services since 2025 and holds a construction management degree from North Dakota State University. As a construction manager, Charlie ensures projects stay on track at every level, from daily tasks to overall progress. He serves as the central point of communication between contractors, helping align duties and schedules. Outside of work, Charlie enjoys spending time with friends and family at his lake cabin or on the golf course, and he also enjoys playing guitar in his free time.

What interested you in pursuing construction management as a career?
I was drawn to construction management because it offers the perfect balance of working both outdoors and indoors. I enjoy being on-site, seeing progress firsthand, and collaborating with subcontractors to keep things moving forward. At the same time, I appreciate the office side of the role—understanding what it takes behind the scenes to keep a project organized, efficient, and on schedule.

What’s your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of being a construction manager is seeing a project come to life from start to finish. It’s rewarding to take a set of plans and see them transform into a finished building. I also enjoy daily problem-solving, collaborating with different trades, and ensuring everything runs smoothly both on-site and behind the scenes. No two days are the same, and that variety keeps the job exciting.

Best CM fun fact or tip?
Delays can happen at any time due to weather, material shortages, or subcontractor issues. If you stay ahead of the game, you give yourself a buffer that helps keep the overall project on track and reduce stress when the unexpected happens.