Family-Owned Minnesota Excavation Company

Craig grew up in Waite Park, Minnesota, and attended St. Cloud Technical College, where he earned a degree in municipal engineering and land surveying. He began his career at Haakonsen Construction in Grand Rapids before spending several years working as a construction inspector in the St. Cloud area. In the late 1980s, Craig founded Craig Bardson Excavating. What started as a one-person operation has grown into a trusted, family-owned excavation company serving Central Minnesota for more than 35 years. Craig’s hands-on leadership, industry knowledge, and dedication to quality laid the groundwork for the values and reputation the company continues to uphold today.

Ben grew up in the family business, working summers through high school and college. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he spent several years as a grading foreman on wind farm projects across the Midwest. Ben returned to Craig Bardson Excavating in 2013, bringing hands-on field experience to estimating and daily operations. Focused on efficiency and jobsite quality, he works closely with crews to ensure every project is completed right and maintains the company’s reputation for dependable, honest work.

Kalley spent her high school summers working at Craig Bardson Excavating and later earned a degree in Construction Management from Minnesota State University. She worked as a project engineer in multiple states before returning to the company in 2021. Kalley oversees project coordination, reclamation scheduling, and estimating. Known for her organization and follow-through, she ensures projects run smoothly from start to finish and values strong communication with customers and partners.

Mariah earned a double major in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Minnesota – Duluth. She worked as a Financial Analyst for a year before joining Craig Bardson Excavating in 2021. Mariah manages the administrative and financial operations, supporting both customers and employees. She ensures projects stay organized, accounting is accurate, and communication remains clear. She takes pride in maintaining the family-owned feel while helping the company grow.