Entrepreneur of the Year
Steven Carleton
Rani Engineering
When Steven Carleton first connected with MEDA, he wasn’t just thinking about growth – he was looking for opportunity.
As a Latino veteran and entrepreneur, Steven drew on lessons from eight years in the Army National Guard, including his service in the Iraq War, and a strong technical foundation working for a spinoff of 3M. Those experiences shaped a mindset that still guides him today: say yes to opportunities that help you grow.
With guidance from MEDA’s business consultants on tax, legal, and strategic planning, he made his move into entrepreneurship. He acquired PCE in 2015. Two years later, he purchased Rani Engineering from owners seeking a successor and merged the two companies into a unified civil engineering firm.
Building a firm that specializes in civil engineering, land surveying, and rail systems engineering demanded vision and persistence – but the results speak for themselves. Today, the company partners on major infrastructure projects across Minnesota, including work with MNDOT and the City of Minneapolis. What began as one entrepreneur’s bold bet on himself has grown into a team of 60 professionals shaping the roads, land, and rail systems that communities depend on every day.
Steven’s story is a testament to what becomes possible when talent meets opportunity – and when the right support is there at the right moment.
Learn More About Our Award Winners
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Paul Edlund
J. Benson Construction Corp.
RESILIENT ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR -
Armetha Pihlstrom
Pihlstrom Consulting Group
COMMUNITY BUILDERS OF THE YEAR
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Richard Esquivel
Sunrise Banks
SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
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Annual Report 2025
MEDA’s Impact Throughout 2025
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