Our Core
Haakon Hagemeister has been with Steigerwaldt for 22 years. He currently holds the title of Vice President – Energy, Infrastructure, and Real Estate.
What do you specialize in?
I specialize in helping Steigerwaldt and our team grow and thrive by focusing on the people, processes, and relationships that make our team and clients successful. This includes building strong teams, managing projects effectively, and developing systems that drive efficiency and project success. My expertise is in fostering meaningful relationships with clients, partners, and our team while ensuring that these connections are built on trust, collaboration, and mutual success.
What does a day in your role look like?
My days are typically a mix of structured planning and quick pivots to address changing priorities. As a VP, I’m juggling a variety of responsibilities, from business development and procurement to project management and team coordination. Some days are focused on strategic planning, working on long-term goals and client relationships, while other times, I’m handling project coordination, problem-solving, or stepping in to support our team with HR or budgeting issues. The position requires focus and foresight and the ability to adapt quickly as client needs change, projects shift, and new challenges arise. Every day is different, but I thrive on keeping things moving while ensuring that both immediate needs and bigger picture objectives are kept in balance.
What initially drew you to your field?
I started my career as a staff forester and later moved into a project forester role, working on a wide range of forest management and real estate related projects. During that time, I had some exposure to our Right-Of-Way team, but utility real estate and ROW acquisition weren’t originally on my radar. After about a decade in forestry, I stepped in to help support a ROW project that needed to be wrapped up. What started as short-term support quickly turned into a new career path. I found I really enjoyed the variety of the work, the problem solving, and the opportunity to help both clients and landowners navigate complex linear utility projects. As new opportunities continued to arise, our ROW team continued and continues to grow, and so did my role. Building a team and supporting our clients is what ultimately solidified my path in this field. The role requires one to be a jack of all trades with a working understanding of many aspects of utility work including real estate, acquisition, appraisal, construction, permitting, and project coordination. I enjoy connecting these pieces, helping clients and landowners work through complex projects, and making sure our team is positioned to deliver successful outcomes.
What energizes you and keeps your passion going?
What energizes me most is seeing our clients and our team succeed. I enjoy helping our clients achieve their goals and knowing our work plays a role in their success. Just as important to me is watching our team members grow, both professionally and personally. Seeing team members build confidence, develop new skills, take on greater responsibility, and find their own path to success is incredibly rewarding. Being able to support that growth while building a strong, capable team is what keeps me motivated and passionate about the work we do every day.
What is your favorite part of your role or favorite thing about working at Steigerwaldt?
My favorite part of my role is the opportunity to help our team grow while working on a wide variety of projects that support our client’s success. I enjoy the diversity of the work and the fact that no two days are the same. You never know when a new challenge will arise. Being able to problem solve, adapt quickly, and work across many aspects of a project and company keeps the role engaging and rewarding. What makes it even better is doing this at Steigerwaldt. The team, the support, and the family-like culture truly set it apart. There is a strong sense of collaboration, trust, and shared purpose, and it’s rewarding to work in an environment where people are supported, valued, and encouraged to grow.
What are three attributes that describe your team?
It is difficult to narrow this down to just three. I would say in no particular order, Client-focused, accountable, adaptable, integrity, solution-driven, relationship-driven, and collaborative.
