Mortenson Development said it has hired a 28-year real estate veteran, Brad Lis, as director of real estate development in Minneapolis.

Lis will lead an affiliate of Golden Valley-based M.A. Mortenson Co. and help lead the firm's development services across the United States. He will partner with the Mortenson Construction office in the Twin Cities, led by Ken Sorensen, vice president and general manager. Recent projects include the Minneapolis Public Schools John B. Davis Education and Service Center, the Radisson Blu Hotel at the Mall of America, and the Allina WestHealth Emergency Department addition.

"Brad comes to Mortenson with a wealth of real estate development experience. His experience across multiple industries will enable Brad to immediately help us expand our development business as part of Mortenson's strategic growth plan," said Bob Solfelt, vice president and general manager of Mortenson Development, in a statement.

Before joining Mortenson, Lis worked as an independent real estate consultant focusing on strategic portfolio planning, acquisition and lease transactions, debt negotiation and hospitality development.

He previously held several executive positions at Carlson Inc., most recently as vice president for real estate and administrative services. In various roles, he was responsible for appropriately sizing corporate real estate, enhancing the value of owned real estate, and acquisition and development of hospitality and retail projects throughout the United States.