MINNEAPOLIS, MN (May 22, 2009)  At its "Women in Business" luncheon and award ceremony, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal named Julie Halvorson, project manager for Ryan Companies US, Inc., one of its Women to Watch. The award is given to a highly selective group of women who are making an impact on their industry and are expected to be industry leaders in the future.

Halvorson was recognized for her efforts in bringing environmentally-friendly building practices to Ryan’s construction projects in the Minnesota Region and leads Ryan's program to train workers on LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). She was LEED administrator on Two MarketPointe, which the Business Journal awarded Best Green Project at its Best in Real Estate Awards.

Halvorson got her start at Iowa State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in construction engineering and minored in business. She started her construction career at Ryan and has quickly made an impact as a key member of the company's sustainability committee.

Quoted in the Business Journal’s "Women in Business" special section, Julie said her greatest accomplishment has been, “Together with another colleague, we have set up LEED training courses for fellow employees. …More than 100 people over eight different training rounds have gone through the training including outside customers and subcontractors. Ryan now has more than 120 LEED APs.”

(As published in the May 22, 2009 Minneapolis-St. Journal Business Journal “Women in Business” special section).