BROOKINGS A member of the Greatest Generation, the late Harvey Mills served in World War II as an Army combat infantryman in Europe. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. His military decorations include: Combat Infantry Badge; Bronze Star; and three battle stars. Like many of his G.I. comrades, following the war he returned home, got additional education via the G.I. Bill, got on with his lifes work, got married and raised a family.
For Mills, education came via a bachelors degree in agricultural engineering from South Dakota State College in 1950. While still a student at SDSC, he found his lifes work: H.E. Mills Construction, so named in 1949. Before he graduated, his namesake company had built five houses; by 1967 that number was more than 200.
Other Mills Construction work over the years has included several firsts: Hillcrest Grade School, 1954; First National Bank, 1958; Sokota Hybrid Products office, 1965; Daktronics offices in 1973; congregate housing in Brookings and in South Dakota for the Rural Housing Development agency, with several other units being built in Watertown, Huron, Yankton and Pierre; and Garden Square in Brookings, the states first condominium development.
Add to those jobs, several other firsts in the Brookings area: development of East Acres and Indian Hills; extensive work with the Farmers Home Administration (later the USDA Rural Development Program), that brought home ownership to hundreds of families; and construction of housing in Onaka Village, one of the first SDHDA financed Housing and Urban Development subsidized properties in South Dakota.
Passing the torch
Round two of the Mills Construction story came in 1986, when Harveys son, John Mills, joined HE Mills Construction as an estimator and project manager. In 1992 John took the helm as president and rebranded the company as Mills Construction Inc. During his tenure, the company grew: in revenue, workforce, project diversity and geographical reach. The father-and-son team drove the companys growth, earning for Mills Construction Inc. a solid reputation in the industry.
In 1997, the companys current president, Randy Hanson, joined the Mills team as project manager. He quickly advanced to operations manager and was promoted to vice president in 2002. Hanson than began purchasing the company in about 2003 and the deal was finalized several years later.
With a bachelor of science degree in both civil engineering and mechanical engineering and with extensive experience in engineering, construction and management, Hanson continues to lead Mills Construction as the company moves into its 76th year.
Harvey Mills and I were good friends, Hanson said, fondly remembering the companys founder and whose name remains as part of its history. He was like a father-figure to me. He introduced me to John. I thought the name had a good reputation. So I didnt want to change that.
I just wanted to continue on, sort of a silent purchase. The name had a good reputation and all the employees for so many years were used to that. It just made sense to me.
As Mills Construction moves into its next year, Randy Hanson and his wife Stacey Hanson have been 100 percent owners and were part of the Prairie Family Business Association (located in the University of South Dakota (Sioux Falls)). And another family member is part of the team Their oldest son, Jacob Hanson, began working for the company during his sophomore year in high school. He continued there through his graduation from South Dakota State University in 2017 with a bachelor of science degree in Construction Management. He then worked out of state for five years before returning to the family business, where he now serves as a project manager on Trails Head which his father called the largest project weve ever done.
Its an apartment, mixed-use (project) on Main Avenue South, Randy explained. Commercial above, apartments below.
Looking to the future
As Mills celebrates it diamond anniversary, it stands ready to continue moving into the future as a leader: in construction management, design-build, and general contracting services. While Mills is headquartered in Brookings, it has an additional office in Madison. Overall, the company serves a 75-mile radius in eastern South Dakota, delivering its projects across commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. Its portfolio includes mixed-use facilities, schools, health care facilities, multi-unit residential facilities, churches, sport facilities and office buildings.
In an ever-evolving construction industry, the company continues to be dedicated to quality service and fostering a culture of teamwork.
Contact John Kubal at [email protected].
Marlene Schram, Mills Construction executive assistant, contributed to this report.
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