At first glance, Patrick Hand’s role at Duininck sounds pretty straightforward: he’s a project manager in the public works division of Duininck, the heavy civil construction company in the Construction & Materials sector. He’s tackling projects across cities, counties, and the Department of Transportation. But spend five minutes chatting with him, and it’s clear—he’s leading in more ways than one.
Patrick joined Duininck over two years ago as the project manager model was evolving. It was a good fit from the start. “I manage projects, sure,” Patrick says, “but it’s really about supporting my team. Making their lives easier, anticipating their needs, and stepping in where I can—sometimes that means sacrificing a little of my own time to make sure they’re set up for success.”
That’s trustworthy leadership at its best.
That same mindset carries into Patrick’s life outside of Duininck—specifically, in his decade-long service with the Army National Guard. After moving to Minnesota, Patrick was offered a role at Camp Ripley as a TAC Officer (that’s Train, Advise, and Counsel), helping experienced soldiers take the next step into leadership as Warrant Officers.
It’s a year-long process of leadership development for soldiers. “They come in with deep knowledge in their fields, and it’s my job to help them become leaders—to build confidence, decision-making skills, and independence.” Patrick’s niche is creating challenges for the men and women, so they discover ways around obstacles, mentally or physically – often pushing them to their limits.
For Patrick, the overlap between his National Guard responsibilities and his role at Duininck isn’t a coincidence. “My entire life mantra, lead by serving….doing whatever I can to make other people successful.”
So where does he find the energy? And what would he say to someone considering a commitment outside of work, when the ‘extra time’ might not be in abundance? “If you love it, it won’t feel like a burden,” he says. “It does take time and planning—you’ve got to communicate [with your team] and be prepared —but if it fuels you, it’s worth it.”
Patrick believes that finding areas to serve and be involved outside of work actually makes people better at their full-time job. “It eliminates tunnel vision. It sharpens you.” He noted that skills and approaches are often transferable between the two. “And…it reminds you that you’re more than your work title.”
His advice? “Find something you care about that challenges you, even if it’s small. Volunteering, coaching, whatever. Just make sure it matters to you.”
And whether it’s at Duininck or at Camp Ripley, Patrick’s favorite part of what he does is simple: “Watching people grow. Seeing them realize they’re capable of more than they thought they were. That’s why I do it.”
