Inside View: Nate Pearson, the Tegra Group

director at the Tegra Group

Construction expert Nate Pearson has joined the Tegra Group, a Minneapolis-based commercial real estate consulting firm, as a director.

Pearson, 41, is leading Tegra's design and construction team-assembly, design-phase strategy, construction project oversight and site due diligence. One of his first assignments is working on the $97 million Target Center renovation. Tegra is the owner's representative for the project, and Pearson is part of the team. "Due to the size, one person alone can't manage it," he said.

Tegra also has worked on projects like Target Field, the Great River Energy headquarters and Walker Art Center. It's the real estate consultant for Surly Brewing Co. on its new $30 million "destination brewery" in Minneapolis' Prospect Park neighborhood.

Pearson is a 20-year veteran of the construction industry. He most recently was at Anderson Cos. and also had stints at Mortenson Construction and Ryan Cos. US Inc.

Q: What was your first job in construction?

A: In Phoenix, working on the Dial Corp. headquarters when I was with Ryan. I was their fourth employee in their Phoenix office.

A: The No. 1 reason is they cultivate the client relationships like no other firm. We've got a team over here with backgrounds in architecture, law, engineering, construction and finance. So you combine that with a specific strategic approach to helping customers. It's that advisory role that our customers find very beneficial.

Q: So Tegra is not a broker, developer or contractor, but an adviser that brings all the pieces together?

A: Yes. For 15 years they have quietly built a practice of premier projects in the Twin Cities and Midwest region.

Q: What's the update on the Target Center renovation?

A: We recently selected Mortenson [Construction] and architects Architectural Alliance and Sink Combs Dethlefs out of Denver. To get involved in this type of project is very exciting.

A: The Minnesota Children's Museum renovation, which is in the design phase. We work with manufacturers like Deli Express, which is looking for a new site. So we're looking at site selection and financing, and we'll eventually advise them on a design and construction team. Room & Board is a huge, long-term client of ours. We did retail stores for them in downtown Chicago, San Francisco and New York, and now they're building a big warehouse/distribution center in Otsego for all of their furniture.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the business?

A: Navigating through all of the noise of complex projects and coming through with that solution.