08/18/2026
Two VECA Team Members Receive Mortenson STAR Awards
What started as a celebration for one VECA team member quickly turned into a double surprise.
Recently, the project team at UW Medical Center – Northwest gathered to recognize Joel Steele with a Mortenson STAR Award for his work on the Gamma Knife project. Joel was recognized for his field leadership, trade partner collaboration, proactive approach, and the impact he made throughout the project.
As VECA Superintendent Jennifer Johnson shared a few words about Joel and his contributions, the Mortenson team (Aaron Kerns & Bryson Baligad) had another announcement to make: Jennifer also received a STAR Award of her own.
The surprise recognition honored Jennifer for expertise, collaboration, and team leadership throughout the project.
The Gamma Knife project brought advanced medical technology into an active healthcare environment. The specialized treatment space required careful coordination to meet stringent safety requirements while minimizing disruption to ongoing hospital operations.
Mortenson’s STAR Awards recognize trade partners and individuals who go above and beyond in their contributions to project success. Having two VECA employees recognized from the same project makes this an especially meaningful honor for our team.
Congratulations, Joel and Jennifer! We’re proud to see your work and commitment recognized by our project partners at Mortenson.