Donnie Riese Earns Prestigious Golden Beaver Award for Construction Excellence

Flatiron Superintendent Donnie Riese was recognized with the 2025 Golden Beaver Award, celebrating a remarkable 48-year career in the construction industry. Starting at 17, Donnie worked tirelessly to support his family while laying the groundwork for an impactful career. He joined our company in 1995, transitioning into leadership roles and becoming a cornerstone of significant projects across San Diego and beyond. 

“Donnie showed many in our industry how to successfully solve the most complex problems by running toward conflict and utilizing the team’s experience to plan the work,” said Flatiron Vice President of San Diego, Mario Martinez, “all while ensuring safety, quality, schedule and production goals are sustained during execution.”   

Donnie’s expertise spans bridges, highways, rail systems and airports. He has made standout contributions to projects like the San Diego International Airport Terminal 1, the I-5 North Coast Corridor Program and the West Mission Bay Drive Bridge Replacement project. His innovative approaches, including streamlining multi-phase construction processes to save time and reduce disruptions, have earned him multiple Caltrans and California Transportation Foundation awards.  

Beyond his project successes, Donnie’s dedication to mentoring and coaching has left a lasting impact. He has guided numerous team members toward career advancement and contributed to apprenticeship programs and labor negotiations. His leadership and advocacy for safety continue to set standards across the industry. 

This award recognizes Donnie for his technical expertise and commitment to collaboration, environmental stewardship and shaping the future of construction through mentorship and innovation.