The Leap North: Josh Stier’s Relocation Story
When the opportunity to relocate presented itself to me, it felt like the right place at the right time. After ten years in my career at Bolton & Menk, I had already seen firsthand that the company supported its people’s goals. If you had a vision, you’d find support around you, but you still had to deliver. That balance of accountability and encouragement gave me the confidence to take the leap when Kris Swanson began looking for new leadership in Duluth.
Convincing my wife wasn’t easy, but she knew my ambitions and supported the move wholeheartedly. Together, we embraced the risk of uprooting our family, leaving behind established roots for the chance to build something new. For me, the role was exactly where I had envisioned myself: expanding services, growing the firm’s presence, and proving that Bolton & Menk was the best municipal engineering firm in Minnesota.
The transition wasn’t without challenges. Employment and childcare in a new market tested our resilience, and the housing market offered little inventory. We closed on our new home only to spend three days living in an empty house with nothing but sleeping pads. I remember those nights fondly, the family huddled together, making memories in the midst of uncertainty. Soon after, Duluth welcomed us with a record-shattering snowstorm: 36 inches in 48 hours, 150 inches total that year. Even the office entrance was buried, forcing us to wait for snow removal before we could begin work. I laugh remembering how, in my second week in Duluth, I bought a Bobcat. A purchase that seemed unusual at first but quickly proved to be part of the local norm.
But change became opportunity. I remodeled our home with my own woodworking skills, shaping it into the space we wanted. I built the Duluth office into my vision, just as I built my family’s new life. My children became “Duluth kids,” and my wife’s career took off, landing her in a higher position. Our marriage grew stronger as we navigated the move with less outside support, choosing to rely on each other.
Professionally, the leap was transformative. Moving from Project Manager in Mankato to leading a new team in Duluth, I moved into our Associate group and became Principal within a year. Ownership brought new responsibilities, but also the freedom to lead with vision. Kris Swanson remains a trusted advisor, helping me build networks and circles of support.
Through it all, I learned that opportunities don’t simply fall into your lap. You have to go after them, tell people what you want, and stay humble while doing the work. My biggest realization was that not everyone wants the responsibility of leadership, but I thrive in it, finding joy in helping others realize their goals and caring for my team.
Looking back, I would make the same decision a million times over. The toughest part was building a new network in an unfamiliar city, but Duluth proved to be a welcoming community with great neighbors. Today, I am most proud of what I have built in Duluth and the Northeast region. Not just for myself, but for my family and the firm. My children are more independent, my wife’s career has flourished, and together we’ve grown stronger.
The future is wide open. Northern Minnesota is still full of untapped potential, from Hermantown to Grand Rapids and Bemidji, with Northern Wisconsin yet to be explored. Bolton & Menk is becoming a household name in the region, attracting clients and talent alike. What started as a risk has become a thriving success story—proof that when opportunity presents itself, you have to grab it, even if it means moving your family, braving record snowfalls, and starting from scratch.
Josh Stier, PE
Municipal Practice Leader | Principal
As the Northeast Minnesota municipal practice leader who began his engineering career with Bolton & Menk in 2012, Josh works closely with our staff to provide and expand our services in northern Minnesota. He has an extensive background in stormwater management and is passionate about all things natural resources. Josh’s experience is not limited by his drainage expertise; he has a diverse project management background that includes leading numerous MnDOT and county highway projects, municipal reconstruction projects, complex drainage studies, and wetland restorations. This unique skillset engages him in some of Bolton & Menk’s largest and most complex projects. He enjoys the challenges presented by projects with highly sensitive environmental aspects and understands the correlation between strong communication and overall project success.