Harley Neshem

Harley Neshem was inducted into the North Dakota Transportation Hall of Honor during a ceremony held March 10 in Bismarck. The Hall of Honor, established in 1974, recognizes individuals who have played a major role and made lasting contributions to the development of North Dakota’s transportation system at the state, county or local level.

Neshem, president of Gratech Company LLC in Berthold, has dedicated his career to improving the safety and efficiency of North Dakota’s transportation system, according to information from the Associated General Contractors of North Dakota. Over the past 70 years, his companies have helped construct key transportation routes across the state, moving millions of cubic yards of earth in the development of Highways 2, 85, 22 and 52, as well as Interstates 29 and 94.

Major projects in western North Dakota include the four-lane expansion of U.S. Highway 2 and the construction of truck reliever routes around New Town and Williston, both projects that have had a significant impact on the communities they serve.

In the 1980s, Neshem also played a key role in bringing North Dakota’s first sunflower processing facility to Velva. His efforts to secure a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration helped fund the construction of State Highway 97, providing direct access to the facility.

For more than 40 years, Neshem has been a familiar presence at the North Dakota Capitol, advocating for adequate infrastructure funding and other critical issues affecting the state’s transportation system.

A strong believer in giving back to the industry that provides one’s livelihood, Neshem has been deeply involved with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) at both the state and national levels. In 2018, he was honored with the designation of AGC of America Lifetime Governor in recognition of his long-standing leadership and service.

The AGC of ND was formed in 1951 and represents 400 member firms, including the leading general contractors and businesses affiliated with the construction industry. AGC of ND is a chapter of the national association of the Associated General Contractors of America, which represents more than 26,000 member firms.

The Transportation Hall of Honor currently has 56 members.