Three Mortenson leaders, Derek Cunz, Logan Gerken, and Jason Jennings, have been named to Sports Business Journal’s 2020 list of Power Players: Leaders and Innovators in Design and Development.
The individuals and firms selected for the 2020 class of the Sports Business Journal’s prestigious list represent the forward thinkers in sports facility architecture, design, construction and development and illustrate creativity, leadership and innovation in shaping the sports venues today and of the future.
Derek Cunz, Senior Vice President
As Senior Vice President, Derek provides overall leadership and strategy development to Mortenson's Sports + Entertainment, Solar, and Midwest operating groups. Having overseen some of the company's largest and most technically challenging projects, Derek has led the firm in driving innovation, using digital tools and technologies to improve outcomes and make smarter decisions sooner.
Derek has traveled extensively, building complex and technical projects in Northern Ireland and across the United States. One notable project was the Walt Disney Concert Hall project in Los Angeles where he collaborated with Stanford University’s Center for Integrated Facility Engineering in the development and implementation of the industry’s first 4D model, pioneering the use of Virtual Design and Construction (VDC).
Building on his experience, Derek strives to inspire new ideas, add value for our customers, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the built environment. When not working with teams and customers in building exciting projects, Derek loves spending time with family, enjoying time outdoors, cycling every chance he gets, and experiencing new places and cultures.
Logan Gerken, Vice President, General Manager
Logan manages Mortenson's Sports + Entertainment group and is focused on helping sports organizations achieve their business objectives. He brings extensive industry experience in both the private and public sector having worked extensively on both professional and collegiate competition and training facilities. Logan views projects as both a business and community asset, working alongside customers to make their vision a reality. He is a champion of bridging sports venue insights with a value-centric focus to help owners make smarter decisions and maximize the return recognized on their capital investment.
Logan’s love of sports runs deep. He is an alumnus of the University of Minnesota where he was an outfielder with the Big Ten Champion Golden Gophers baseball team. Having now successfully combined his athletic background with degrees in architecture, construction and business, he brings that passion to his work every day.
When he is not leading the nation’s best sports construction group, Logan enjoys skiing and camping with his family and is passionate about attending the MN State Fair and sampling many of the varieties, and often obscure, food they have to offer.
Jason Jennings, General Manager
As General Manager, Jason is responsible for managing Mortenson’s low voltage service offerings, with a focus on wireless connectivity delivered through Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS). He led the creation of Mortenson’s Digital Integration group, and under his leadership the team has deployed over $100 million in low voltage and DAS installations. With an increasing demand for connectivity and emerging technologies, Jason is broadening low voltage deployments in sports and entertainment venues and expanding services in commercial DAS applications.
Jason boasts 20 years of experience creating and executing business and marketing strategies for Fortune 1000 companies in the consumer-packaged goods, industrial products, retail, telecommunications, and software industries — including the development of multi-year strategic plans and consumer marketing campaigns that have driven revenue and profit growth. He earned his Master's in business administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and bachelor's degrees in classical studies and history from Georgetown University.
Jason is active in the community. He recently ended two terms as a member of the board of directors of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. He currently serves on the board of directors at Lake Country Montessori School, where he is chair of the buildings and grounds committee.
Read the full list of the 2020 Sports Business Journal’s Power Players: Leaders and Innovators in Design and Development.