Chris Holman welcomes Nolan Spencer, incoming President of Wolverine Construction, Grand Rapids, MI.

In their conversation, Chris looked to find out several things from Nolan.

• Nolan, you’ve been CFO at Wolverine since 2024, and now you’re stepping into the president’s role. What changes for you day-to-day, and what will be your biggest priorities as you take on this responsibility?
   
• You’ve described your focus as bringing clarity to priorities and helping teams execute consistently. What does that look like in practical terms for a construction company with more than 200 employees and work across multiple markets?
   
• Curt Mulder will remain CEO and focus more on strategy, client relationships, and growth. How do you see the two roles working together, and what does that division of responsibility allow Wolverine to do that it couldn’t do as effectively before?
   
• Wolverine has been around since 1939, but the company is also expanding nationally and recently moved from the Wolverine Building Group name to Wolverine Construction. How do you balance that growth and change with the culture and relationships that have kept people at the company for so many years?
   
• You bring a background in finance, acquisitions, and operating leadership to this job. As you look at Wolverine’s next chapter, where do you see the biggest opportunities to grow the business while continuing to deliver the kind of work and client relationships the company is known for?
  
  

Wolverine Construction Names Nolan Spencer President

Curt Mulder remains CEO as the 87-year-old firm continues expanding nationally and regionally

Grand Rapids, Mich. – Wolverine Construction, one of West Michigan’s oldest construction firms, has announced Nolan Spencer as president, while Curt Mulder will continue as CEO.

Spencer joined Wolverine as chief financial officer in 2024, overseeing finance, accounting, risk management, human resources and information technology. As president, he will lead day-to-day operations and advance the company’s strategic priorities.

Mulder will focus his time as CEO on strategic direction, client relationships, business growth and major opportunities.

“The best teams put people where they can do their best work,” Mulder said. “With Nolan as president driving operational excellence across each of our business lines, I can focus as CEO on new markets, new opportunities and what’s next for Wolverine. It’s about multiplying our leadership capacity.”

Founded in 1939 as Wolverine Tile Company, Wolverine is now a $272 million construction firm licensed in over 30 states, delivering more than $7 billion in construction across 11 markets, with offices in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Brighton.

“Wolverine has an experienced team, a strong reputation and a lot of opportunity ahead,” Spencer said. “As president, I’ll bring clarity to our priorities, preserve the culture that makes Wolverine special and help our teams execute consistently. I’ll continue to rely on Curt and the deep construction expertise across the company as we move forward together.”

Spencer brings 25 years of experience in corporate finance, private equity and operating leadership to the role of president. He spent nearly 10 years at a private equity-backed agriculture company in La Crosse, Wisconsin, including eight years as CFO. During his tenure, the company completed several acquisitions, tripled in size and was ultimately acquired by a billion-dollar cooperative headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The leadership transition follows Wolverine’s Built for What’s Next campaign earlier this year, which introduced the Wolverine Construction name after the company retired the Wolverine Building Group brand. The refreshed identity reflects Wolverine’s evolution while preserving the values that have guided the company from the beginning: West Michigan roots, trusted relationships and a commitment to doing the work the right way.

Wolverine has designed, constructed and renovated many of West Michigan’s most recognizable projects, including the David D. Hunting YMCA, LMCU Ballpark, John Ball Zoo, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, Trinity Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, River House at Bridgewater Place, and the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center.

Continuity remains central to Wolverine’s culture. The company’s average employee tenure is 11 years, and it has honored 42 retirees, including team members whose careers at Wolverine spanned as long as 56 years.

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About Wolverine Construction

Founded in 1939, Wolverine Construction is one of Michigan’s most experienced and enduring construction firms. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, with offices in Lansing and Brighton, Wolverine’s team of more than 200 professionals provides construction management, design-build, general contracting, preconstruction, and building service solutions across a broad range of markets. The company combines deep construction expertise with a commitment to integrity, craftsmanship and trusted client relationships, simplifying the complexities of construction while positively impacting people and communities. Formerly Wolverine Building Group, Wolverine Construction’s new name reflects the company’s continued evolution while preserving the team, values and approach that have defined it for more than 85 years. For more information, visit wolverineconstruction.com.