Associate Spotlight: Mitchell Gruesen

 At CASTO, the strength of our team lies in the depth of experience and perspective each associate brings to the table. This month, we’re highlighting Mitchell Gruesen, who will be retiring this summer after nine years with the company. His extensive background in construction and tenant coordination reflects a career built on expertise, relationships, and a thoughtful approach to problem-solving.

As Manager of Tenant Coordination / Project Manager, Mitchell has played a key role in bridging leasing and construction, helping bring tenant deals to life from initial concept through project delivery. His ability to navigate complex projects, collaborate with teams and tenants, and adapt to evolving challenges has made him an integral part of the process.

With a passion for continuous learning and a people-first mindset, Mitchell exemplifies CASTO’s commitment to partnership, accountability, and long-term success. Read on to learn more about his journey, the projects he’s most proud of, and the insights he’s gained throughout his career as he approaches this next chapter.

Tell us about your background with CASTO.

As Manager of Tenant Coordination / Project Manager, I provide construction services to the Retail Leasing Team and to the tenants who sign leases with CASTO. Proposed tenant deals are sent to the Construction Team which outline the terms of the deal which includes any construction work the landlord may be asked to provide as part of the deal. Construction will generate an estimate for the work and a lease exhibit outlining in writing what the landlord’s scope will be. Once a lease is executed our construction team will engage with contractors to complete landlord work and deliver the premises to the tenant.

What do you like best about CASTO? What makes CASTO different? 

I love the variety of projects, from turnkeys to renovations and everything in between. This variety has provided me new and rekindled learning experiences. With many years of past corporate experience and a good part of that was in what some would consider a very challenging environment, CASTO was the opposite. A management style that empowers its departments and associates to hold themselves responsible for their duties and the results. The COVID pandemic showed me a side of CASTO that is committed to the communities they serve with how they shored up so many tenants to help soften their economic hardships. It speaks to the core goodness in the company’s management philosophy.

What service or project have you liked working on the most while at CASTO? 

I really enjoy working with the tenants who are independent operators who know how to run their business well but need assistance in planning their spaces. While I have many projects that I have enjoyed over my years, several stand out: the redevelopment of Town & Country Shopping Center and Graceland Shopping Center; the Worthington Youth Boosters’ gymnasium and baseball training facility that topped off the Graceland retail redevelopment; and the River & Rich retail development. 

Share a little bit about your expertise in the industry.  

My door to CASTO was opened 10 years ago by past and current working relationships. After having spent 25 years working for retailers planning and building stores around the country and the world, that era for me ended. I was pursuing several avenues of work, and one path led me to working with CASTO by way of their retail leasing team providing services to a small developer. I was working for that developer providing consulting services for retail tenant coordinators and construction project management. Sometime later an opportunity presented itself to join CASTO.  I was elated as this was the avenue I decided I wanted to pursue and that I would be working with a former colleague.  My professional career development has been entirely paved by connections that have been nurtured, persistence in the pursuits, and a bit of luck when it comes to the timing of when opportunities present themselves.