Michael (Mike) Folta, PE
Senior Vice PresidentGreat Lakes Region General Manager
Michael Folta brings a mix of specialties as he leads the Great Lakes region. From utility improvement and rehabilitation to civil engineering and project management, Michael is always on the lookout to solve large and complex challenges.
With over 40 years of experience in civil engineering, specializing in large-scale construction and program management, Michael Folta serves as vice president and general manager of the Great Lakes region of Burns & McDonnell. His knowledge lies in leading the execution of innovative project delivery methods, including design-build and engineer-procure-construct (EPC) project delivery and safeguarding value alignment with project owners’ objectives. At the helm of a skilled team, he champions proactive problem-solving and excels in fast-track project implementation.
In the community:
Mike gives back to the community through:
- United Way of Metro Chicago, Campaign Cabinet
- Supporting underprivileged youth through food giveaways on weekends with his wife
What’s the coolest part of your job?
My role comes with two primary joys. Firstly, the opportunity to interface with both our esteemed clients and our exceptional teams. I'm continually impressed by the high caliber of talent within our organization. Secondly, I'm privileged to engage with the entire portfolio of Burns & McDonnell. My schedule might find me discussing a major substation program with our Transmission & Distribution team on one day, and on another day I could be delving into an aviation project at O'Hare or transitioning to discussions with our Water and Environmental teams. The variety this role offers is genuinely inspiring at this stage of my career, and it's the people and this diversity that have been the greatest blessings, allowing me to reach across so many domains.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Professionally, a lesser-known fact is that for the majority of my career's first half I was deeply entrenched in fieldwork. My roots are firmly planted in the hands-on, gritty world of construction operations, shaping my approach to engineering and project management from the ground up.
Personally, one fascinating thing about me is my presence at the infamous Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park in July 1979. As a proud South Sider, attending this event is a quirky highlight of my background, reflecting an unexpected slice of Chicago history I witnessed firsthand. I also have a profound connection to Telluride, Colorado — it is where I met my wife.
What excites you most when you look at the future of infrastructure, the industries we support and our company?
The future of infrastructure excites me as it stands at the heart of global competitiveness and innovation. Our leaders across the country recognize the necessity for a significant investment in critical infrastructure within our country and across all market sectors. It’s quickly becoming not a decision of what we should do but a matter of what we have to do to maintain our edge in the world market.
The upcoming resurgence in energy and the shift toward onshoring industrial capabilities highlights our strategic advantage. The focus on integrating clean energy responsibly emphasizes our commitment to sustainable growth. In this evolving landscape, Burns & McDonnell is exceptionally well-positioned to lead and innovate, making this an exhilarating time for our industry and company.