Troy Stutz, RJM Construction
Title: Project executive
Age: 48
Industry veteran Troy Stutz will lead large health care building and remodeling work as a recently hired project manager at RJM Construction, a Minneapolis-based general contractor.
Stutz, who has 25 years of construction experience, will focus on projects in the Twin Cities area and in outstate Minnesota.
The health care construction market is active in the metro area, typically with small additions and renovations, Stutz said, while outstate counterparts are considering such projects.
A health care construction specialist for the past decade, Stutz recently attained the designation of certified healthcare constructor from the American Hospital Association. As a project manager, he specializes in pre-construction and construction planning, scheduling and estimating project costs.
The work is challenging but the results are rewarding, Stutz said.
"If you're remodeling the interior of a hospital, you've provided a better environment for people to get well in," Stutz said. "There's a great deal pride when you do something like that because you are truly helping people."
Stutz has a bachelor's degree in business administration-construction management from Minnesota State University, Mankato. He is a member of the American Society for Healthcare Engineering.
RJM, founded in 1981, also has offices in Denver and Phoenix and averages $120 million in yearly construction volume.
Stutz previously worked as a project manager at Minneapolis-based general contractor Kraus-Anderson. He has managed health care construction projects in Monticello and Faribault as well as in Iowa, Kansas and California.
Q: Has health care construction picked up with the recovery?
A: There definitely is more activity than in late 2008, 2009 or 2010. Health care, like every body else, dipped down but has been pretty stable. The architecture firms that are heavily involved with health care, they're adding people. The larger organizations I've met with have projects on their books.
Q: What added challenges come with health care projects?
A: The toughest health care project is an interior renovation of an inpatient area, particularly a sensitive area like surgery. You have to deal with patient safety, employee safety and visitor safety. On top of that you have regulatory officials who can come in at any time and do an inspection. You're making sure you're all on the same page.
Q: What do you like about working in health care construction and this opportunity at RJM?
A: I started in it 10-plus years ago. It was a growing segment and I just became more and more intrigued by it. The opportunity to be here, to be part of an organization that has a tremendous amount of support and innovation and is looking to be a main player in this area is very exciting.
