Todd Hanninen
Halyard
Over nearly three decades in construction, Todd Hanninen has led crews, managed complex projects, and helped shape some of West Michigan’s most recognizable developments. As General Superintendent for Halyard, he oversees multiple project teams, mentors field leaders, and helps guide the company’s growing framing, drywall, and prefabrication operations.
But ask Todd what he’s working toward, and his answer isn’t another promotion, project, or title.
“I don’t plan on doing this forever,” he said.
For Todd, success isn’t measured by how many problems he can solve himself. It’s measured by how many people and processes he leaves behind that can solve those problems without him. Whether he’s developing a new superintendent, creating standardized workflows, or helping crews think through project sequencing, his focus is on building something that lasts. He wants the next generation of leaders to be equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and systems they need to succeed long after he decides to hang up his hard hat.
That mindset has become the foundation of his leadership philosophy.
A Builder at Heart
Construction has always been part of Todd’s story. After high school, he spent two years working in commercial construction before following a family tradition of military service and enlisting in the United States Air Force. During his six years in the military, he served in engineering and construction roles, first in Alaska and later in Colorado, gaining valuable experience maintaining facilities and supporting major construction projects.
When it came time to decide whether to continue his military career or return home, Todd faced a significant crossroads. After discussing the decision with his family, he chose to return to Michigan and pursue construction full time—a decision he has never regretted.
“At the end of the day, I just deeply love construction,” he said. “I love the building process. I love watching a project rise from bare ground all the way up to a beautifully finished final product.”
That passion has remained constant throughout every chapter of his career.
Taking the Right Turn
Like many successful leaders, Todd’s career wasn’t a perfectly straight path. After more than a decade as a commercial superintendent, he stepped away from large-scale commercial construction and spent several years building custom homes through his own residential contracting business. The slower pace provided an opportunity to refocus and spend more time doing the hands-on work he enjoyed.
Then an unexpected opportunity presented itself.
Todd was approached about helping manage the construction of a major commercial project. He initially agreed to assist on a contract basis, but what he discovered during that project changed the course of his career. He saw a company with tremendous potential and an opportunity to help shape its future.
“When I hit that fork in the road, I took the right turn,” Todd said. “I chose to stay here because I want to see Halyard succeed as a company.”
What began as a project assignment evolved into a leadership role where Todd could have an even greater impact, not just on projects, but on people.
The Power of Preparation
Ask Todd what separates successful projects from struggling ones, and his answer comes quickly: preparation. More specifically, sequencing.
One of the projects that best demonstrates this philosophy was Halyard’s first large-scale prefabricated panel project at the Manistee Hotel. Before a single wall panel was built, Todd spent months coordinating logistics, schedules, and installation plans to ensure the project would run smoothly.
For Todd, success starts long before crews arrive on site. It begins with reviewing drawings, identifying conflicts, coordinating trade partners, planning site logistics, and making sure everyone understands the sequence of work.
“If your sequence is 100% established the way it should be up front, everything flows smoothly,” he explained.
That approach extends beyond framing and drywall. Todd believes successful projects happen when every trade works together to solve problems before they become obstacles. Whether coordinating with HVAC contractors, electricians, fire protection teams, or general contractors, he encourages proactive communication and collaboration from day one. The result is a jobsite where crews spend less time reacting to problems and more time building.
Turning Experience Into Systems
As Todd advanced into leadership, he recognized that many of the industry’s best practices existed only in the heads of experienced superintendents. If those individuals retired, much of that knowledge could disappear with them.
That’s why one of his primary goals at Halyard has been turning experience into repeatable systems. Since becoming General Superintendent, he has helped establish project kickoff procedures, superintendent checklists, site readiness reviews, look-ahead scheduling processes, safety planning systems, and quality control expectations that create consistency across projects.
“When I first came on board, we didn’t have formal written procedures,” Todd explained. “What I brought was a broad view of the entire construction lifecycle.”
Today, those systems help teams identify potential issues earlier, improve communication, and create more predictable outcomes for customers and project partners. For Todd, the goal is simple: build a framework that helps others succeed.
Developing Future Leaders
If there is one subject Todd speaks about with more enthusiasm than project sequencing, it’s developing people. Few topics are more important to him than mentorship and preparing the next generation of leaders.
His approach is straightforward: put people in the field, give them responsibility, teach them how to think, and support them when they make mistakes.
“I firmly believe in that fieldwork foundation,” he said. “The only way to learn this industry the proper way is to find a veteran mentor in your specific trade who has been through it all, pull yourself right up next to them, and soak up every single ounce of knowledge you can get.”
Todd’s mentorship practices are built on proximity. He brings apprentices and emerging leaders onto jobsite walks, encourages them to ask questions, requires them to carry notebooks, and exposes them to real-world problem-solving every day.
Over the years, he has watched numerous apprentices, foremen, and field leaders grow into positions of greater responsibility. Seeing people develop the confidence to lead projects, manage teams, and solve problems independently has become one of the most rewarding aspects of his career.
“You have to let them learn from mistakes, pull them back, and show them how to fix it,” he said. “That’s how you build true field competence.”
Leading from the Front
Todd’s leadership style is rooted in respect, accountability, and visibility. He believes leaders earn trust by being present, which means showing up on jobsites, listening to crews, and working alongside people when needed.
“I am completely not the type of general superintendent who rides around the job site in an air-conditioned company truck,” he said.
Instead, he regularly visits projects, helps crews solve problems, and isn’t afraid to pick up tools when the situation calls for it. When an unexpected opening appeared in his schedule, Todd didn’t use it to catch up on paperwork. Instead, he drove to one of Halyard’s active projects and spent the day framing walls alongside the crew.
“When the frontline field crews see the high-level general superintendent out there physically throwing a wall up right next to them, they know with absolute certainty that you have their backs,” he said.
That commitment to supporting his people has helped create a culture built on trust and accountability. Todd believes leadership isn’t something that happens from an office. It happens in the field, where relationships are built, challenges are solved, and teams learn that their leaders are invested in their success.
Safety Through Planning
Todd has witnessed tremendous changes in construction safety throughout his career. While equipment, technology, and regulations have evolved, he believes the most effective safety tool remains planning.
At Halyard, safety begins long before crews start work. Superintendents review look-ahead schedules, identify upcoming risks, verify equipment needs, and discuss site-specific hazards weeks in advance. By proactively addressing concerns, teams can avoid many of the situations that lead to injuries or incidents in the field.
Todd’s approach to safety is simple: properly prepared crews can work more safely and more effectively. He also maintains high expectations for trade partners working on Halyard projects because he believes every worker, regardless of employer, deserves to return home safely at the end of the day.
Building Careers Through Merit
Throughout his career, Todd has embraced a philosophy closely aligned with the merit shop principles championed by ABC. He believes people should have opportunities to advance based on the value they create, the leadership they demonstrate, and the effort they invest in their careers.
At Halyard, that means recognizing strong performance, rewarding achievement, and giving employees who earn it greater responsibility. Todd has seen firsthand how giving talented individuals opportunities to grow benefits both the employee and the company.
“The number one thing my top-tier field guys ask for is simply more leadership responsibility,” he said.
His role is helping create the systems, support, and opportunities that allow those individuals to succeed. When people perform well, they should have the chance to continue growing, developing new skills, and taking on greater challenges.
It’s a philosophy Todd has lived throughout his own career. From the military to commercial construction, residential contracting, and now company leadership, each step was built on a willingness to learn, take ownership, and embrace new opportunities. Today, he works to ensure others have the same chance to chart their own path forward.
Looking Ahead
After nearly 30 years in the industry, Todd remains as passionate about construction as the day he started. He still enjoys watching a building rise from the ground, solving complex challenges, and helping teams achieve things they didn’t think were possible.
But more than anything, he takes pride in seeing others succeed.
The superintendent who confidently runs a project on his own. The apprentice who develops into a leader. The company that continues improving because of systems and processes put in place years earlier.
Those are the accomplishments that matter most.
For Todd Hanninen, success isn’t measured by how much work he personally accomplishes. It’s measured by how many people he helps prepare for what comes next.
As a finalist for ABC Western Michigan’s Craft Professional of the Year Award, Todd Hanninen exemplifies the leadership, mentorship, craftsmanship, and commitment to excellence that continue to strengthen the construction industry.
