5 Under 40: John Waletzko of Bradbury Stamm is St. Cloud's go-to construction guru

ST. CLOUD — John Waletzko knew what he wanted to do early in life.

"I was very fortunate that I grew up in a construction family," the 32-year-old SC Times/LocalIQ 5 Under 40 winner said. "My dad operated a concrete masonry company that my grandpa had started. So, construction was very much in the family and in my blood."

Waletzko is president of the Midwest region for Bradbury Stamm Construction. His notable projects include Sartell-St. Steven High School, Beaver Island Brewery, Bernick's Ice Arena and the Scheel's Complex, according to St. Cloud University, his alma mater.

More: SCTimes/LocalIQ introduces the 2023 class of 5 Under 40 award-winners

"I ended up going to St. Cloud State University to get my construction management degree. And then, through that, I had the opportunity to intern with the Winkelman Building Corporation (that's what Bradbury Stamm was back then). So I was an intern my senior year, I think ... and I kind of tell people I just never left."

Waletzko started as an intern and was later hired as a superintendent.

"I had kind of fallen into a niche where I would project manage and superintendent my own projects. ... It was a little bit of a best of both worlds scenario, where I was able to kind of be a one-stop shop."

He became vice president of field operations and, not long after, took his current role.

It was a big deal for the hometown native, who went to St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and Cathedral High School before St. Cloud State. He's grateful his career has kept him here.

"(I was) very much born and raised here," he said. "I'm very, very family oriented. I have a lot of friends and family in the area. So, that's always a bit of a draw. ... St. Cloud has very, very much always been home to me."

And he looks forward to giving back to that home. Waletzko sits on several advisory boards in the area, including the St. Cloud Technical College's Construction Advisory Board, and is involved with Quiet Oaks Hospice House. He often shares advice and expertise with students interested in the industry.

"Being able to take part in initiatives or organizations that help this area. I'm certainly all on board with that. That's a big part of it. You know, I very strongly believe in giving back and trying to grow our area and improve our area. ... The more enjoyable and fulfilled our area can be, it's only going to help all of us."

Leslie Dingmann, business development director of the Greater St. Cloud Development Corporation (GSDC), nominated Waletzko for 5 Under 40. Waletzko is part of the GSDC's Strategic Actions Committee.

"He's someone who's dependable. He consistently demonstrates integrity in all his actions and decisions, and really is just genuinely interested and invested in making a positive difference in the community," Dingmann said. "I think that's something to be admired."

— Tess Ware is the local editor of The St. Cloud Times. Contact her at tware@stcloudtimes.com.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: St. Cloud 5 Under 40: John Waletzko of Bradbury Stamm