FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 2026
Midstate Construction Corporation Announces Leadership Promotions, Retirements, and Organizational Changes
Petaluma-based general contractor marks major leadership transition as the company enters its 92nd year
PETALUMA, CA — Midstate Construction Corporation, a leading North Bay general contractor with more than 91 years of continuous operation, today announced a series of significant leadership promotions and personnel changes reflecting both the company’s ongoing growth and the natural evolution of its senior team.
The changes span the company’s executive leadership, estimating, field operations, and administrative functions, and take effect immediately.
Executive Leadership
Roger Nelson —Owner & Chairman
Roger Nelson, who has guided Midstate Construction for nearly five decades, transitions from President to Chairman of the Board. Nelson joined the company in 1977, the same year he took ownership of the firm from its founding owner, John Winblad, ultimately leading the organization through decades of growth into one of the most respected general contractors in Northern California. In his new role as Chairman, Nelson will remain actively involved in the company’s strategic direction, continuing to attend all company meetings and weigh in on major decisions while empowering the next generation of leadership to take the helm.
“Roger’s impact can be felt in everything Midstate has built over the past 50 years,” said CEO Monica Nelson. “His continued involvement as Chairman gives us an extraordinary resource as we move forward.”
Monica Soiland Nelson — Chief Executive Officer
Monica Soiland Nelson, who joined Midstate in 1996 as a Project Coordinator and rose through the ranks to Vice President of Marketing and Business Development, is elevated to Chief Executive Officer. In her 30th year at Midstate, Nelson has been instrumental in building Midstate’s client relationships, reputation for sustainability, and diversification into affordable housing, hospitality, wineries, public works, and institutional construction. Under her leadership, Midstate has delivered exceptional projects of all sizes, and has maintained an unblemished record of completing every project it has undertaken.
Wesley E. Barry II — Chief Operating Officer
Wesley E. Barry II joined Midstate Construction in 1997 as an Estimator and has risen through every facet of the company’s operations to his current role as Chief Operating Officer. With nearly three decades at the firm, Barry brings deep institutional knowledge and operational discipline to a diverse project portfolio. His trajectory from estimating through project management gives him a thorough, ground-up understanding of the business — and makes him uniquely equipped to lead Midstate’s continued growth.
Estimating Department
Ben Honsvick — Chief Estimator
Ben Honsvick is promoted to Chief Estimator, stepping into a role shaped by decades of tradition. Honsvick joined Midstate in 2004 as an Estimator after earning his degree in Construction Management from Brigham Young University–Idaho. Over the past two decades he has grown into the firm’s senior estimating voice, developing deep expertise across Midstate’s full range of project types, including multi-family affordable housing, hospitality, wineries, public works, and retail. His promotion reflects both his technical mastery and his trusted relationships with the region’s subcontractor and design communities.
Field Operations & Administration
Bill Gehri — General Superintendent
Bill Gehri is promoted to General Superintendent, Midstate’s senior field leadership role. Gehri joined Midstate in 2019 as Project Superintendent and rose to Director of Field Labor, demonstrating exceptional skill coordinating complex, multi-phase construction projects across the company’s diverse portfolio. In his expanded role, Gehri will oversee field employees company-wide, ensuring Midstate’s hallmark standards of safety, quality, and schedule performance are maintained across all active project sites.
Carly Gompertz — Estimating Coordinator & Executive Administrator
Carly Gompertz takes on expanded responsibilities as Estimating Coordinator, Facilities Management and Executive Administrator. Gompertz joined Midstate in 2013 as Estimating Coordinator and has been an essential part of the estimating department’s daily operations for over a decade. Her new role adds executive administrative and facilities management support to her existing responsibilities, reflecting the trust and confidence the leadership team has in her abilities.
Retirements
Patrick Draeger — Vice President, Estimating (Retiring after 45 years)
Patrick Draeger retires after an extraordinary 45-year career with Midstate Construction, one of the longest tenures in the company’s history. Draeger joined Midstate in 1981 as an Estimator, having graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and briefly worked for Herrick Steel and PG&E before finding his home at Midstate. He rose to Vice President of Estimating and served in that capacity for decades.
Over his career, Draeger oversaw the estimating of hundreds of projects totaling more than $700 million in completed construction. His work spanned an exceptional range of project types — from the landmark $72.9 million Cannery at Railroad Square affordable housing community in Santa Rosa, to the celebrated Meritage Resort & Spa in Napa, the Lytton Rancheria homeland community in Windsor, the Signorello Winery Fermentation Building, luxury inns, K–8 schools, and waterfront office buildings. His projects earned multiple North Bay Business Journal Top Project Awards and helped establish Midstate’s reputation throughout the North Bay and beyond.
Draeger will remain connected to the firm through its Board of Directors, where his institutional knowledge, contractor relationships, and understanding of regional construction economics will continue to benefit Midstate for years to come.
“Pat expanded our estimating department tremendously,” said Monica Nelson. “His relationships with local subcontractors, our exceptional clientele and his understanding of the North Bay market are unmatched. We are enormously grateful for everything he has given to this company and to the projects he helped bring to life.”
Marilyn Belove — Executive Administrator (Retiring after 19 years)
Marilyn Belove retires after 19 years of dedicated service to Midstate Construction, where she served as Executive Administrator to the Chairman and also oversaw facilities management and project closeout coordination. Joining the firm in 2007, Belove was a steady, reliable presence in the company’s day-to-day operations, supporting senior leadership and ensuring the smooth administration of complex construction project closeouts. She leaves with the deep gratitude of the entire Midstate team.
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