Elling Olson, director of business development and marketing, Sambatek

Elling Olson is pursuing growth opportunities including those in renewable energy as director of business development and marketing at Sambatek, a Minnetonka-based engineering, surveying, planning and environmental services firm.

Olson, who has two decades of experience in commercial and retail construction and in renewable energy, is developing a strategic plan that will include expanding Sambatek's work in energy projects.

"Over the last 10 years I've been instrumental in developing strategies and new market opportunities for Mortenson's Renewable Energy Groups," Olson said. "We went from 36 wind power plants to over 150 in that time. To have the opportunity to do that with an entrepreneurial company like Sambatek is exciting."

Focusing on market analysis and market forecasting and understanding customer needs have helped him capture new business at Mortenson, Olson said.

Olson said he brings both an entrepreneurial and a lean management approach to projects. That latter, he said, helps in understanding "constructability of a project and incorporating solutions that not only mitigate your risk but reduce the cost of construction and maybe even reduce the footprint so it's better for the environment and the community."

Sambatek's goal is to go from 100 employees today to 350 to 450 over the next few years.

Formerly MFRA, Sambatek was founded in 1966 and acquired by President and CEO Sirish Samba in 2009.

A: Develop and implement our strategic plan, implement new strategies across the board. Work with our different divisions — we're in public, transit, water, wastewater, commercial and residential — and expand into the energy market beyond what we've done so far.

Q: How will your experience help develop new business at Sambatek?

A: I've worked in the commercial arena, whether it be new construction or renovate. I've worked on the contractor's side and the owner's side. With the last nine-plus years being in renewable energy for the No. 1-ranked wind and No. 1-ranked solar company, that will be beneficial for us as I've probably worked with the top 50 entities in the industry. I've got a lot of good long-standing relationships there that are interested in having us involved in supporting their needs.

Q: What challenges are you anticipating?

A: The competition is stiff. There are some market uncertainties out there right now. But there are a lot of good opportunities that might come out of that too. Here in the Minneapolis market there's a lot of activity now for new developments.