At Findorff, we aim to drive innovation and foster new and exciting customer experiences. With that in mind, we are excited to welcome Robbie Oldenburg as Director of Business Development, and congratulate Brad Olson on his promotion to Director of Project Management! Our team is always pushing the boundaries of construction in the fields of science and technology, and we know that these two passionate individuals will further our expansive goals.
Robbie Oldenburg, Director of Business Development
With 20+ years of industry experience, Robbie will provide value to our clients and communities by continuing to build strong partnerships. Alongside Chad Eschler, she will provide executive leadership for Findorff’s Science & Technology department. In this role she will:
- Lead Findorff’s Science & Technology division with a focus on existing client relationships and identifying new clients.
- Work with other leaders in the Science & Technology team to develop strategies to engage our clients.
- Engage with the Project Management team to deliver best-in-class facilities for our clients.
Brad Olson, Director of Project Management
Brad has taken on a senior-level position as Director of Project Management for Findorff, focused on the Science & Technology department. In his 15 years at Findorff, Brad has led over $700 million in the development of science and technology facilities, including brand new labs and complex renovations. Within this role he is responsible for:
- Provide leadership to Findorff’s Science & Technology industry with a focus on project management.
- Provide support and strategy from planning to project closeout.
- Act as a client resource to ensure Findorff’s project teams continue to provide exceptional service.
Chad Eschler, as Vice President of Business Development, will continue to provide strategic direction and vision for Business Development, manage both the local and regional Business Development teams, develop talent, and foster opportunities and relationships.
Bob Hougard will continue to serve Findorff as Vice President of Science & Technology. Leading many large, complex projects enables Bob to understand factors necessary to develop an end-to-end approach to deliver successful projects for all stakeholders.
In celebrating National Hospital Week, Findorff offers our appreciation and respect for the incredible work that healthcare professionals do every day while caring for patients.
Today, most of the world is getting back to normal after the crisis of the last few years. Healthcare’s idea of normal is continued management of the “routine everyday” crises. Due to the economic headwinds you are facing, along with staffing challenges and reimbursement pressures, your everyday continues to navigate new and long-existing obstacles. Our communities are fortunate that the healthcare industry is well-practiced in rising to the occasion.
With all this to think about, we work hard to make sure your facility needs are always met for your organization. Every day, we apply our values of character, community, and craftsmanship to help create and maintain thoughtful environments for you to care for your community.
Certainly, each week, but this week in particular, Findorff would like to recognize and honor the ongoing efforts and work of our dedicated hospital staff and caregivers, as well as all the workers that keep our healthcare system strong during these demanding times.
To learn more about Findorff’s hospital work, check out our Healthcare Experience. For information to work with Findorff on healthcare opportunities, please reach out to Jeff Eckstein, AIA.
What a start to the year! We have an incredibly talented team, both in the field or in the office, and we would like to recognize the individuals who’ve been promoted in first few months of 2023. Please join us in congratulating the following individuals who have been recognized for their above-and-beyond work!
Adam Esser has been promoted to Supervisor.
In office leadership positions, Kallie Anderson and Matt Schroeder have been promoted to Senior Project Manager. Jon Winch and Hannah Winch are each now Project Manager II. Cameron Evans, Justine Hansel, Carl Hanson, Luke Kiefer, Troy Klabunde, Jon Powers, Colin Redman, Graham Schroeder, and Macy Clark each now have the title of Project Manager I. Megan McFadden is now People Solutions Leadand Leah Preston is Project Engineer. Abby Clegg, Trevor Hickey, Caleb Johnson, and Hunter Muthig have each earned the title of Assistant Project Manager.
Congratulations, to each of you!
Findorff’s Education division is led by a group of incredibly dedicated and talented individuals who have spent years building relationships with Districts across the state. Over the past year, our education leadership has evolved, with two familiar faces now taking the reins. Though you may have seen them at the State Education Conference, we are excited to officially congratulate our education division leaders:
Erika Freeman: Erika’s move into her role as Education Market Manager is recognition for her experience and commitment to Findorff’s education clients over the past eight years. Throughout her time with Findorff, Erika has been a part of fostering many long-lasting relationships with Districts across Wisconsin. She has proudly led planning efforts for over $573 million in referendum projects.
In her new position, Erika will:
- Provide leadership to Findorff’s education division with a focus on client relationships and planning successful community-supported projects
- Plan internal forums to provide training opportunities for the education team
- Provide leadership and support to Districts during facility planning, and pre- and post-referendum communications efforts
Aaron Zutz: Aaron has taken on a senior-level position as Director of Project Management for Findorff, focused on the education division. His leadership on over $700 million in school construction projects, including brand new schools and complex renovations, is why he earned this promotion.
Using his extensive experience, Aaron will:
- Provide leadership to Findorff’s education division with a focus on project management
- Provide support and strategy from planning to project closeout
- Act as a client resource to ensure Findorff’s project teams continue to provide exceptional service
Although Erika and Aaron have been elevated within the Education Division, their predecessors remain committed to the Education Division’s success – especially Findorff’s clients.
Now as Vice President of Education Market and Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Christin Mlsna can fully tap into her specialty, combining her passion for work in the education market and expertise in marketing. Though Erika has taken on portions of Christin’s previous role, she will continue to provide executive leadership for Findorff’s education division.
Matt Breunig continues to serve Findorff’s education division in his position as Vice President of Operations. In his current role, Matt is providing executive oversight to Findorff’s Milwaukee office while also focusing on maintaining our standard of operational excellence company-wide. Matt will continue to be a mentor in the education division and is excited to continue building relationships with our clients.
Whether in the field or in the office, Findorff employees have been hard at work setting the bar for the construction industry. We’ve had an impressive quarter of promotions. Please give a big round of applause to the following individuals who have been recognized for their above-and-beyond work!
Eduardo Marquez, Oscar Vargas Bruno, Jake Sides, and Reed Krugman (Yard Operations) have been promoted to Supervisor. Jeff Kremel has been promoted to Senior Superintendent.
In office leadership positions, Matt Breunig and Luke Hutchins have joined Findorff’s Board of Directors. Deana Turner and Luke Hutchins have been promoted to Vice President. Christin Mlsna is now Vice President of Marketing and Communications, Chad Eschler is Vice President of Business Development, and Bob Hougard is Vice President of Science & Technology. Michelle Kraemer is Director of People Strategy, Brad Olson is Director of Project Management, and Laura Velotta is Director of MEP and Specialty Services. Mike Stern is now Project Executive, Erika Freeman is Education Market Manager, Katie Gorder is Project Support Manager, Luke Schulte is Creative Services Lead, and Rob McMurrich is Lead Scheduler.
Congratulations, everyone!
Findorff’s esteemed field employees, who make our clients’ visions a reality, have recently seen many well-deserved promotions! Please join us in congratulating each of these hard-working individuals.
Dave Ritter, Jamie Zudonyi, Andrew Wiedenfeld, Jeremy White, Tim Masters, Tony Smith, Corey Loeffelholz, Josh Ellickson, Shannon O’Rourke, TJ Marks, and Adam Cisewski have been promoted to Supervisor positions. Chad Baker has been promoted to Special Projects Group Supervisor.
Promotions to Superintendent include Chris Zorzin, Brian Rindy, Kevin Dempsey, Dave Pahl, Jeff Alexander, and Terry Lucey.
Chad Vivian, Todd Brakob, Tom Hepler, and Jeff Kremel have all been promoted to Senior Superintendent.
On July 19th, Findorff, Madison Gas & Electric, the Oregon School District, and Slipstream hosted the 2022 Sustainability Forum at Forest Edge Elementary in Fitchburg. The forum, held at the largest verified net zero school in the Midwest, brought together area educators and leaders in renewable energy to discuss the journey to achieving a net zero building. These green subject matter experts shared forward-thinking approaches to planning, designing, and dreaming big on the journey to net zero.
Materials on how to begin the net zero building journey can be found here.
Findorff would like to announce the promotion of Brian Hornung to Chief Operating Officer. In this new role Brian will continue to work alongside the Board of Directors – Jim Yehle, Ben Pechan, Jeff Tubbs, Jeff McLean, and Rich Lynch – serving and leading Findorff.
Since 1997, Brian has served in a multitude of roles, starting in project management, leading field operations, and serving as an executive leader. Brian has worked across many industry sectors throughout his career, including corporate, k-12, higher education, high-rise residential, and complex science environments. Brian provides strategic vision and leadership to support Findorff’s success.
Jim Yehle, President & CEO of Findorff, shared the following about Brian: “For over 24 years Brian Hornung has been instrumental to the success of our company, driving innovation in the industry, and developing our talented people. As COO he will continue to focus on innovation and growth, while elevating, mentoring, and teaching our next generation of leaders. We are incredibly grateful for his servant leadership and enduring commitment to Findorff.”
Please join us in congratulating and celebrating Brian on this next chapter in his career!
– Tony Sullivan, Director of Project Management – Healthcare
We are joining in the celebration of dedicated healthcare staff this week!
During National Hospital Week, we at Findorff would like to recognize and honor the ongoing efforts and work of our dedicated hospital staff and caregivers, as well as all the workers that keep our healthcare system strong during demanding times. Whether it be a minor renovation or the construction of a new, state-of-the-art medical facility, we send the best of the best, healthcare-certified team members to take on these projects.
But our efforts are empty without close collaboration with frontline staff to ensure that our projects go above and beyond their research and care needs. Every day we are inspired by the skill and dignity of every staff member who provides significant services to every person who walks through their doors. Your efforts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated!
Hard work and compassion are always at the forefront when it comes to our healthcare projects, with every facility designed and built in a way that we could picture ourselves and our loved ones getting top-tier care within them. Atmosphere holds power in the reassurance we need in a medical emergency, so Findorff strives to create settings of comfort and peace for all patients and staff.
Our business is giving you the space to do yours, and together, we create facilities that deliver top-tier care to those in need.To learn more about Findorff’s hospital work, check out our Healthcare Experience. For information to work with Findorff on healthcare opportunities, please reach out to Jeff Eckstein, AIA.
I would like to extend my best wishes to Findorff clients, partners, employees, and the community as 2022 begins to take shape. Despite the uncertainty of the pandemic and the challenges ahead of us, I am incredibly excited for the future and remain optimistic. I would like to share a few wishes for the new year.
As I look forward to 2022, I am particularly focused on three things that I believe will help us all succeed.
Continue a culture of innovation
- Whether developing new technologies, bringing new and productive ideas forward, or building on what was started in 2021, innovation is key within the construction industry.
Commit to extraordinary talent
- Findorff is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier employees who add value to the company, our projects, and the community. It is an incredible opportunity to continue to cultivate the professional growth of those who choose this company to share their talents.
Be kind, be good, and be positive
- Take care of yourself, each other, and your community. My hope is that we continue to support and uplift each other. A positive attitude at work, at home, and in the community matters. Last year I saw firsthand how strong relationships and resiliency helped carry many of us forward professionally and personally. Whether through exercise, meditation, or personal stress-relieving habits, we must take care of our mental health and physical health.
In 2022 we look forward to working with our clients and industry partners to contribute to healthcare, education, student housing, corporate, science & technology, and other transformative industries through new state-of-the-art spaces. Together we will continue to change the landscape of the communities we work and live in.
Wishing you good health and success,
Jim
Jim Yehle is the President & CEO of Findorff and In Business 2022 Executive of the Year. Read more about Jim here.