Field Leadership Award presented to longtime foreman

9 months ago

Mike Gates is the recipient of Carl A. Nelson & Company award recognizing contributions to project quality and safety leadership.

Mike Gates, a 42-year construction industry veteran who has served Carl A. Nelson & Company since 2007, was presented the 2025 Randy Harris Field Leadership Award during the company's annual Christmas party on Dec. 13, 2025.

After joining the firm as a construction craftsman, Mike was promoted to field foreman in 2014, then to project foreman in 2023. During his time with CANCO, he also has been assigned in the role of Site Safety Officer on multiple industrial projects.

In his announcement of the award, Carl A. Nelson & Company President Chris Smith described Mike as someone who "embodies leadership, professionalism, safety, teaching, planning, and service second to none."

Recipients of the award are nominated by employees. Submitted nominations said of Mike:

• A leader you can send to any work situation and know you’ll have a professional who will be a great representative of CANCO
• Has a great deal of skill and knowledge but will also ask questions
• One of the best at training while still keeping the job productive
• Knows how to work with the pickiest of clients
• One of the best at working in client occupied areas and minimizing disruptions to client
• Leads by example – expects the same from everyone as what he puts into the job
• Very strong on safety including extensive experience working as a site safety officer

Carl A. Nelson & Company's field leadership award was presented for the 31st time in 2025. The 2025 award marked the second year since it was renamed for Randy Harris, who retired in 2024 as a project superintendent after 44 years with the company. The previous iteration of the award was named for Harris' father, the longtime superintendent Bob Harris.