Leadership
The success of Ames Construction is measured by how well we handle the complexities of project details, the challenges they present, and our ability to complete them to the customers’ satisfaction. Yet, that success is only possible with the willing spirits and capable hands of the dedicated people who work here, led by those who inspire these invaluable professionals to take pride in their workmanship and make a commitment to excellence. Meet some of the people who inspire us to build quality into our projects—day in and day out.

Butch Trebesch
Chief Operating Officer
Butch Trebesch
Chief Operating Officer
As chief operating officer, Emil “Butch” Trebesch provides strategic leadership for Ames Construction. Working with the board of directors and the executive management team, he is charged with maintaining the company’s prominent position in the marketplace by adapting to meet fluctuating demands in an ever-evolving industry. A proven leader who delivers results, Butch advances strategic growth of the business, its environment, and our people, while preserving the corporate vision.
Butch joined Ames in 1991, serving in several leadership roles prior to his appointment to COO in 2018. With knowledge, experience, and respect for a corporate culture that values its people and community, he assesses current and future prospects that keep the company strong in multiple markets and furthers the company’s success.


Michael J. Kellen
Chief Financial Officer
Michael J. Kellen
Chief Financial Officer
As Ames Construction’s Chief Financial Officer, Mike Kellen plans, implements, manages, and supervises all of the finance activities for the company, including business planning, budgeting, reporting, and forecasting. In addition to overseeing the accounting department, Mike also holds responsibility for the information technology department. In his 30 years with the company, Mike has applied his expertise in streamlining and maintaining efficient operations while adapting to ever-changing needs of both the industry and the departments as the company continues to grow and expand.


Roger McBride
Executive Vice President, Safety & Risk Management
Roger McBride
Executive Vice President, Safety & Risk Management
Roger McBride directs the advancement of safety and health initiatives, risk management and mitigation, and human resources management, supervising a team of more than 50 Ames health and safety professionals and support staff. In his 35 years with the company, Roger has developed, implemented and administrated comprehensive corporate safety and loss control programs on projects throughout the United States and Canada. His skills, knowledge and work ethic guided the company successfully through difficult challenges to align the safety program with changing industry standards. Under Roger’s leadership, Ames remains an industry leader in safety practices. Roger is an active member of the Construction Industry Safety Institute (CISI) and the American Society of Safety Engineers.


Todd Goderstad
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
Todd Goderstad
Executive Vice President & General Counsel
As the chief legal officer for Ames Construction, Todd Goderstad manages and directs all project-specific and corporate matters requiring legal review. He examines and negotiates contracts, subcontracts and other documents, monitors changes in law affecting the company, assesses controls for risk management, and ensures surety and insurance compliance. Todd also manages internal and outside counsel and consultants both in and outside of litigation. In over 25 years with the company, Todd has also served as the governmental liaison, and applied his expertise to legal aspects of real estate development, credit and collections, and formal and informal dispute resolution of all kinds.
Todd obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Culver-Stockton College, and is a graduate of William Mitchell College of Law. He is a member of multiple bar associations and construction law organizations and is a past president of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota.


Shawn L. Dahl
Vice President, Real Estate & Aggregates
Shawn L. Dahl
Vice President, Real Estate & Aggregates
Shawn Dahl directs the real estate portfolio for Ames Construction with extensive experience in land reclamation and residential/commercial development and redevelopment. In his 30 years with the company, Shawn has expertly applied his proficiency in planning and design, along with a keen knowledge of environmental regulations, to develop multiple master-planned communities throughout the country. Shawn is instrumental in conducting assessments and acquiring permits for aggregate operations needed to support specific projects in our respective markets, and he oversees the company’s holdings in a retail aggregate processing operation that serves as a resource to the construction industry.


Justin Gabrielson
Executive Vice President | Midwest Region
Justin Gabrielson
Executive Vice President | Midwest Region
In his nearly 17 years with Ames Construction, Justin has been involved in a broad range of markets, clients, and project types. He is committed to helping the company grow and deliver first-class projects while working with new and existing clients, and staying ahead of the ever-changing market. His primary focus is on ensuring our people are put in an environment where they can succeed for the client, themselves, and Ames Construction. A graduate of North Dakota State University, Justin majored in civil engineering with a minor in business. Justin and his wife, Jamie, have two young children.


Jerry Miller
Executive Vice President | Southwest Region
Jerry Miller
Executive Vice President | Southwest Region
Jerry has been in the construction industry for more than 25 years, with a 22-year career at Ames Construction. As Executive Vice President of our Southwest Region, he drives operational success by motivating employees to always be safe, work to their highest potential, and bring value to their role by doing the right things. These factors provide rewarding careers and meaningful employment for the sustainability of the company. Jerry earned his BSCE at Montana State University, where he has been a Civil Engineering Advisory Board member for nine years. He also serves on the Board of Directors for AGC of Arizona.j


Tim Odell
Executive Vice President | Western Region
Tim Odell
Executive Vice President | Western Region
Tim has spent virtually his entire 27-year career in the construction industry with Ames Construction. As executive vice president of our Western Region, he manages the overall operations to sustain ongoing success of the region and its people. Tim possesses a unique perspective of our growth into new markets and expansion into existing markets, having worked in all but one of the company’s multiple regions.


Curtis Bilow
Vice President, Business Development | Corporate
Curtis Bilow
Vice President, Business Development | Corporate
Curtis leads a team of business development managers focused on building relationships in our markets. Serving the construction industry for nearly 25 years, Curtis joined Ames Construction in 2005 as a Project Manager in our Southwest Region. Curtis has served in numerous leadership roles and applies a wealth of industry knowledge and expertise to shaping our business development efforts.
Curtis also continues to serve as Corporate Director of Freight Rail, overseeing the company’s major rail projects. Curtis serves on the NRC (National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association) Board of Directors, and is the Chair of the Policy and Legislative Committee.
