Mark Mezera – The Morse Group

For Mark Mezera, project management isn’t just about overseeing numbers, schedules, or spreadsheets—it’s about leading people, forging partnerships, and building legacies. After more than a decade in the field and another decade at The Morse Group, Mezera is now helming the biggest project of his career: a massive distribution center for the world’s largest retailer. And while the job itself nears completion, Mezera sees it as just the beginning.

Mezera’s journey into project management didn’t begin behind a desk. After attending college for a couple of years, he entered the trades and spent 17 years gaining real-world, boots-on-the-ground experience as a journeyman, master electrician, and project foreman. It wasn’t until his 30s—while juggling full-time work and raising young children—that he returned to finish his bachelor’s degree at Cardinal Stritch University.

“It took a lot of time,” he says, “but I wanted to understand the business side of the industry I was already in. Going back to school opened the door I needed.”

What Mezera gained from academia wasn’t just credentials—it was fluency in project and business management that complemented his field knowledge. Today, that dual experience forms the foundation of his role as a project manager at The Morse Group, a position he’s held since 2013.

Headquartered in Freeport, Illinois, The Morse Group has grown from its roots as Morse Electric—founded in 1944—into a national leader in electrical contracting, renewable energy, automation, and construction. With more than $330 million in annual sales, the company now comprises a network of specialty businesses under one unified brand, providing turnkey solutions for large and complex commercial, industrial, and institutional projects.

A career-defining project

As lead project manager and estimator, Mezera sits at the helm of one of the more significant builds in the company’s history: a sprawling perishable distribution center for the world’s largest retailer. The project, nearing completion, is not only the largest of his career but a calling card for what he hopes to accomplish moving forward.

“This is the marquee project I’d show anyone,” he says. “It’s opened doors for me, and I want to use it as a springboard—to demonstrate what I can do and what Morse can do.”

Mezera is involved in every facet of the project. He manages a team of estimators, coordinates directly with vendors, general contractors, labor unions, and owners, and ensures each proposal is comprehensive and transparent. In essence, he is the face of Morse on-site and off, the person clients call first—and want to work with again.

“I wouldn’t be successful without my team, including Samantha Golubski, a young and energetic project manager who played a key role. Also, Superintendent Kurt Schlosser did a great job. They both make my job a lot easier.”

The stakes are high, but the pressure is shared.

“We’ve worked well as a team and built strong relationships with the contractor and owner,” Mezera says. “That makes a huge difference, especially when challenges arise.”

His current workload is split between completing the build and laying the groundwork for what comes next—engaging potential customers, submitting bids, and securing future opportunities.

“At this stage, I spend about half my time on this job and half looking ahead,” he adds. “You always have to be thinking about the next one.”

Collaboration, not cutting corners

One of the reasons Morse—and Mezera—continue to earn repeat business is their reputation for honesty and collaboration.

“We’re a very direct company,” Mezera explains. “We don’t omit scope or try to sneak in a low bid. Our goal is to be transparent from the start.”

That philosophy is more than just words. As project manager, Mezera is expected to know what tools, resources, and personnel are available across the organization—and deploy them strategically. Whether it’s mobilizing a crew of 100 electricians on short notice or problem-solving an unexpected design change, he leads with competence and confidence.

“Some of our competitors just don’t have the in-house expertise or manpower to adapt as quickly,” he says. “That’s what sets Morse apart—and why our clients trust us.”

This client-first approach creates long-term relationships.

“People call us directly because they know us, and they trust us,” Mezera says. “It’s not just the company they want to work with—it’s the people behind the name.”

Leading the next generation

Despite the complexity of the work, Mezera understands that his role is as much about people as it is about projects. Delegation, trust, and team building are essential, especially on jobs of this scale.

“You can’t be hands-on with everything,” he admits. “That’s been one of the hardest lessons to learn—but it’s crucial.”

He invests in his team’s growth, creating space for others to take ownership.

“You want people in a position to act as a proxy for you. They want responsibility, and they want to grow. That benefits the team, the customer, and the company.”

Looking ahead, Mezera’s goal is to become the go-to manager Morse can call for high-stakes, high-profile work.

“I want to be the guy in the bullpen,” he says. “The one you hand the big project to and know it’ll get done right.”

That ambition aligns perfectly with Morse’s long-term strategy: focusing on “large and complex” projects—not strip malls, but industrial facilities, healthcare systems, and utility-scale builds. And Mezera is helping to carve that path, one milestone at a time.

“This project shows what we can do,” he says. “Now it’s about what we do next.”

A blueprint for continued success

With each project, Mezera is shaping not just buildings, but the reputation and trajectory of The Morse Group. He’s proof that leadership doesn’t require a conventional path—it just requires dedication, a deep well of experience, and a willingness to grow alongside the work.

Whether managing a 100-person team or walking a site with a general contractor, Mezera brings integrity, precision, and drive. His career reflects the company he represents: adaptable, reliable, and always ready to take on the next challenge.

And for both Mezera and The Morse Group, what’s next is bigger—and more complex—than ever.