Steve Mast joined S. M. Wilson with a simple but powerful philosophy: relationships build work, and people build projects. Over his 23-year tenure as Vice President and Project Executive, Steve helped transform S. M. Wilson into one of the largest big-box retail builders in the nation, fueled by long-term client trust and repeat partnerships.
Specializing in the retail sector, Steve oversaw more than $1.6 billion in construction across the United States. Under his leadership, S. M. Wilson delivered major projects for national retailers—including Target, Kohl’s, JCPenney, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Von Maur, and Cabela’s—a portfolio that defined a key era of the firm’s growth and geographic expansion.
One of Steve’s most recognizable contributions was his instrumental role in winning and overseeing the construction of the IKEA store in St. Louis. As one of the region’s most prominent retail developments, the project showcased S. M. Wilson’s ability to deliver complex, large-scale work with both precision and speed.
But Steve’s greatest strength was never simply the projects; it was the people. He believed that relationships were earned, not assumed. By nurturing trust with clients, architects, subcontractors, and internal teams, his ability to genuinely connect made him one of the firm’s most effective ambassadors.
After 42 years in the construction industry—including 23 years at S. M. Wilson—Steve retired at the end of 2016. He left behind not only a track record of iconic projects but a company culture deeply grounded in partnership, loyalty, and respect.
Steve Mast is one of the pivotal Wilsonites who built our legacy and helped position S. M. Wilson as a national leader driven by relationships.
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