Blog written by Erika Freeman, Communication Services – Education Market

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‍As educators prepare students for the future, a worthwhile initiative is underway. In recent years, youth apprenticeships have had a growing presence in school districts across the state. Such programs offer students hands-on learning while exploring careers in almost any industry. In our case, students can go from the classroom to the construction site for an education that combines academic and technical instruction with on-the-job training.

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Findorff has direct experience and a genuine interest in supporting youth apprenticeship programs. As a commercial builder, we understand that such programs are incredibly valuable. They help set the foundation to shape construction careers, ranging from virtual construction to project management. Through youth apprenticeship programs, students develop clear connections between learning in the classroom and experiences on the jobsite.

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Findorff regularly teams with school districts and the Dane County School Consortium to recruit students interested in this mutually beneficial opportunity. The consortium has been a vital resource in this process. With a mission to offer today’s youth a pathway to tomorrow’s careers, the consortium partners with local businesses and community groups to bring innovative learning programs to students.

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Since 2014, Findorff has trained and mentored 12 youth apprentices. Students are selected based on their excitement for the industry and eagerness to learn. Most recently, students from Belleville, McFarland, and Verona worked on Findorff projects within their respective districts. Their experiences, while different, can be used as models for others considering the same path as they take the first steps in their construction careers.

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From these experiences, it is certain students greatly benefit from youth apprenticeship programs. However, it should be noted that construction managers and other employers can also reap rewards from their involvement. Examples include:

• Increased awareness with education clients
• Trained workers that are better prepared to enter the workforce
• Reduced costs for recruitment and training
• Qualifying future workers with required, job-specific proficiencies
• Improved employee retention

When it is all said and done, youth apprenticeships offer win-win situations for everyone involved.

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To learn more about the apprentices working on our projects and how to engage the future workforce, read Erika’s article in Wisconsin School News. We’d also love for you to check out our K-12 education experience.

Community and health care leaders gathered in Maquoketa for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Jackson County Regional Health Center. Findorff Construction expects to have the project completed in December 2020.

Findorff finished building the cutting-edge facility for biotechnology firm Illumina. The company’s new Madison facility manufactures enzymes for research and drug development.

Findorff begins work that will improve safety and security at 11 of Waukesha’s schools as part of the 60 million dollar referendum passed in November. The construction efforts will create structurally secure entrances to provide better sight lines to visitors and improve flow within the offices.

Over 30 female executives volunteered to help build houses for women in need in Sun Prairie’s Vandenburg Heights neighborhood.

Findorff is fortunate to have several projects receive recognition from year to year for their quality craftsmanship. Most recently, In Business, The Daily Reporter, and Milwaukee Business Journal recognized several buildings we proudly constructed. They include:

• American Family Insurance’s The Spark: The Spark is a nine-story, 158,000-square-foot building developed by American Family Insurance. It features creative and collaborative office spaces, plus is home to StartingBlock Madison. The Spark is pursuing LEED® Certification and was developed around standards set by the International WELL Being Institute. Eppstein Uhen Architects and Potter Lawson were the project’s architects. In Business named this building the Most Innovative Green Solution. The Spark also received a Top Projects Award from The Daily Reporter.
• Marquette University’s The Commons: The Commons is a new, state-of-the-art, co-ed residence hall. Spanning 292,000 square feet, the facility includes 9-story and 12-story towers made up of single and double rooms. A 650-seat dining and community space joins the two towers as an inviting area for students to eat and socialize. The project’s architects were Workshop Architects and Design Collective. This Commons was recognized as the Best New Development in Education by In Business, Best New Development in Education by the Milwaukee Business Journal, and received a Top Projects Award from The Daily Reporter.
• Summit Credit Union – Monona: Summit Credit Union’s new branch in Monona is a 4,000-square-foot steel structure with a 1,000-square-foot drive up canopy. This project was designed by Strang and includes interesting architectural features that are common throughout many updated Summit Credit Union locations. In Business awarded this project the Best New Development in Retail.
• Sun Prairie Area School District’s Token Springs and Meadow View Elementary Schools: In 2016, the District passed a referendum for two new schools to support its growing community. These buildings are Token Springs and Meadow View Elementary Schools. Combined, they span over 240,000 square feet. Both have themed spaces for each grade level and were designed with sustainable building features. Eppstein Uhen Architects served as the project’s architect. The schools received a Top Projects Award from The Daily Reporter.

Blog written by Findorff Superintendent Jeff Benson

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‍Happy National Hospital Week! Along with everyone at Findorff, I honor the healthcare workers who support their communities with hope, healing, and passion for dedicated care. As a Findorff Superintendent, I see firsthand the skill and care in the daily activities of the incredible staff serving healthcare facilities. We honor that effort everyday by our own commitment to quality construction.

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People often ask me how construction in the healthcare industry is different. The answer is simple: empathy. Here are some of the things we do at Findorff to keep empathy at the forefront of our work:

• Imagine the patients are our family members checking into the front desk, walking the corridors, or going into surgery. We keep a smile on our face because we never know what someone is going through.
• Collaborate closely with the facilities team and staff to make the environment safe and comfortable for patients and visitors. Specifically, managing air quality, controlling noise levels, and providing adequate signage are very important.
• Be prepared to adapt to the daily operations of a hospital. Plus be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help ensure a hospital is performing at its best.

It is rewarding to work as a team with our healthcare partners. Together, we put hard work and compassion into the healthcare facilities that have such an impact on communities. Thank you to all the physicians, nurses, therapists, engineers, food service staff, environmental service staff, facilities staff, volunteers, administrators, and many others. You all create healthy and safe facilities that make profound and lasting impacts on all of us.

Findorff’s talented people play a significant role in the Company’s success, both on the job and in the community. We are proud to announce several promotions of four new Senior Project Managers:

• Dave Chmielewski: Dave brings over a decade of experience to his new role as a Senior Project Manager. He has been involved with several notable projects in the Madison area. They include multiple buildings for Epic Systems Corporation, plus UW-Madison‘s Chazen Art Museum addition and Gordon Commons Dining & Events Center. Dave is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. During his free time, Dave enjoys attending Badger football games and other UW-Madison athletic events to support his alma mater. He also has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Hammer with a Heart. Dave lives in Madison with his wife Jaime, and children Malorie and Audrey.
• Steve Gay: As part of Steve’s 20-year career, he has been greatly involved with Findorff’s educational projects. He has managed construction efforts for various school districts, including those for DeForest, Juda, McFarland, and Oregon. Steve was also part of the team to rebuild the University of Iowa’s School of Music after serious flooding destroyed the original facility. Steve additionally serves as an AGC Leadership Representative, plus coaches his boys’ baseball and soccer teams. Outside of work, he enjoys having fun outdoors with his family. He currently resides in DeForest with his wife Brooke, and children Jack and Luke.
• Matt Stadelman: Having worked in construction for nearly 10 years, Matt’s career is comprised of several major projects. These include the School of Nursing at UW-Madison, Edgewater Hotel, and Oregon School District. He has even crossed the border into gopher territory to help manage the construction of Hub on Campus – Minneapolis, a 26-story residence hall near the University of Minnesota. Matt is also a registered LEED® Green Associate. He enjoys spending time outdoors, working on home projects, and serving as a Rosenberry Ambassador for the United Way. Matt currently resides in Cottage Grove with his wife Nikky.
• Aaron Zutz: With 9 years of experience working in construction management, Aaron is a LEED® Accredited Professional and has been involved with a variety of projects. Most recently, he has had a growing role in managing the construction of educational facilities. They include several buildings for the DeForest Area and Middleton-Cross Plains Area School Districts, plus the upcoming new Verona Area High School. Aaron resides in Madison and enjoys running, camping, and woodworking.

Congratulations Dave, Steve, Matt, and Aaron on your well-deserved promotions!

Research Products is beginning construction on their new 100,000 square-foot distribution center in Poynette, WI. The company, known for its indoor air quality solutions, currently operates on a 190,000 square-foot campus in Poynette. This new building will lead to greater efficiency and overall cost savings for the company.

Blog written by Findorff’s Sustainability Lead Ben Austin, LEED® AP BD+C, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador

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‍Today is Earth Day! At Findorff, this day reminds us of how sustainability is a driving factor in what we do. We strategically look at sustainability to offer innovative solutions and a holistic approach in construction. Ranging from assessing environmental impacts to how we do business, these efforts make meaningful differences where we all live, work, and play.

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In staying true to such objectives, Findorff recently hosted its first Sustainability Forum. We brought together a diverse audience of building owners, developers, architects, engineers, facility managers, and others. Perspectives were shared on how sustainability can positively impact business and budget. As the event’s moderator aside panelists from RENEW Wisconsin, Focus on Energy, PACE Wisconsin, and Kohler, we highlighted trends, programs, and successful projects happening right here in Wisconsin. A few takeaways from the Forum included:

• Solar Energy for Business: Installed solar costs are down 35 percent since 2014 and 64 percent since 2010. As the solar industry continues to grow, costs continue to be driven down. Half of the initial cost of installing solar can be offset when tax credits, incentives, and accelerated depreciation are factored in. A special note should be made that there is a 30 percent federal tax credit for solar, but it begins to decrease starting next year, ending up at 10 percent by 2022. What this suggests is that now is a good time to look at solar!
• Incentives for Energy Efficiency Projects: Focus on Energy’s incentive programs apply to both new construction and renovation projects. Renewable energy incentives are available, as well as energy efficiency measures for HVAC systems, lighting, envelope, plumbing, and retrocommmissioning. A single owner can obtain a maximum of $500,000 annually in incentives through this program. If you are doing any efficiency upgrades, make sure to look at Focus on Energy’s programs! In 2018 alone, over $4.5 million was paid back to owners through their programs in Wisconsin.
• Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Financing: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Financing is a commercial financing program for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water conservation. PACE is available in many counties around Wisconsin and can provide fixed-rate, long-term financing (20-30 years) for up to 100 percent of eligible project costs. Interested to see if your county participates? Check out PACE’s website to learn more: pacewi.org
• Sustainability Strategy: There are organizations around the state that are proving that sustainability is good for business and budget. Looking at a sustainability strategy holistically allows organizations to have a culture of sustainability that can lead to cost savings on energy bills. It can also create engagement with employees, plus drive employee attraction and retention. Kohler is doing this well. Check out what its sustainability team is up to here: kohlercompany.com/sustainability

Looking forward, I would like to present a challenge to each one of you: How will the information presented change how you approach your buildings for the rest of 2019?There are a variety of financial resources available and ready for your existing building operations, renovations, and new construction. Do not hesitate to utilize them! Let’s push each other to collectively move the needle on Sustainability. As subject matter experts we look forward to continuing the conversation and looking for additional ways to implement sustainability in all buildings!