“Welcome Home to Wausau!” is the tagline you’ll find on the City of Wausau’s website. Findorff shares this same sentiment as we head north and officially opened the doors to our Wausau office. Findorff’s third location will primarily serve Central Wisconsin.
Nearly five decades ago, Sentry Insurance and Findorff began a long-term partnership in the heart of Central Wisconsin. Findorff completed the Company’s headquarters in 1974. Since that time, Findorff has worked on dozens of projects for Sentry. Currently, Findorff is working on the 1501 Claims Building adjacent to Sentry’s main office. This project is expected to be complete by December 2018.”While we have been completing projects in the Wausau and Stevens Point areas for years, we were anxious to open an office with a dedicated team to serve clients local to Central Wisconsin,” said Findorff Senior Project Manager Joe Schuchardt, who will also oversee the Wausau office operations.
The demand for quality craftsmanship continues to increase in Central Wisconsin, for companies large and small. This presented an opportunity for Findorff to expand its services. The new office, located near Granite Peak, will actively pursue work in the healthcare, education, corporate, and government markets.
“We believe our commitment to quality craftsmanship, excellent customer service, and community engagement make Findorff an excellent fit for the Wausau area. We are excited to continue our growth in Central Wisconsin while serving our current clients, as well as developing new relationships and opportunities.” said Findorff Vice President Jeff McLean.
Potter Lawson is the architect for Findorff’s Wausau office. Potter Lawson also designed Findorff’s Madison office.
Supporting communities is at the core of what we do. Project Coordinator Sam Garni and Project Manager Reese Mersberger recently exemplified this core value as they were recognized by Revitalize Milwaukee as Home Hero Honorees. This recognition is given to those who have gone above and beyond to fulfill the Organization’s mission to provide home repairs to low-income seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities.
Revitalize Milwaukee is a nonprofit organization and is the largest provider of free home repairs in Southeastern Wisconsin. For several years, Findorff has been donating time and resources to support Revitalize Milwaukee make homes accessible for those in need. Sam served as a House Leader to help register volunteers and coordinate shifts, while Reese often managed and helped with fieldwork. He regularly has been the first to arrive and last to leave to ensure all necessary resources are in place for construction, and that the project wraps up with every bolt and nail in place. Together, Sam and Reese have been volunteering for six years.
We are very proud of Sam and Reese’s recent recognition. Their commitment to supporting our local communities makes a difference both on and off the site!
Findorff recently enjoyed taking part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Spark. Located just east of the Capitol Square, The Spark is one of many developments helping revitalize the Capitol East District. We are very excited for the project’s owner American Family Insurance and the impact The Spark will have in the Madison community.
Not only does The Spark house part of American Family’s collaborative and innovative staff, but it is also serving as a catalyst. Inside is the highly anticipated StartingBlock, which will serve as a hub for local entrepreneurs. American Family’s DreamBank also moved from its original location on the Capitol Square to The Spark’s first floor.
Construction of The Spark began March 2017 and completed September 2018. This nine-story, 158,000-square-foot facility was developed with innovative technology and sustainable principles. Specifically, The Spark is pursuing LEED® Certification and incorporated various WELL building standards. Such facilities take a holistic approach to health and wellness as they make building occupants a focus of sustainable design. In turn, such facilities can improve employee productivity, engagement, and retention. For example, The Spark will only use half the energy compared to a typical Midwest office facility. Additionally, its building systems utilize a variety of technologies to optimize air and water quality, as well as efficiency. Other sustainable features include:
- Intentional building materials
- Healthy building materials with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
- Purified air system
- Filtered water
- Direct access to the exterior on nearly every floor
- Indoor bike storage, showers, and locker room for tenants
- Focus on daylighting, even in the stairwells
- Flexible, movable walls
- Raised access flooring in all tenant spaces and electrical/data rooms
- Integrated sun shades that optimize energy and manage internal glare
- Onsite rainwater collection and reuse systems
We are proud to be part of such a revolutionary development that supports our environment and community.
The Spark is one of several Findorff projects currently pursuing LEED Certification. It is also the first Findorff project to incorporate WELL building standards.The project’s architect is Eppstein Uhen Architects Inc.
Project manager mastermind. Strategic planner. Experienced professional. Healthcare construction guru. These are just a few words to describe Findorff’s Tony Sullivan. They are also very deserving as we are proud to announce his recent promotion to Healthcare Group Lead.
“Tony has been an extremely valuable asset to Findorff’s Healthcare Team,” said Executive Vice President Jim Yehle. “We are very excited for his new position as he continues his involvement on various healthcare projects.” In this new role, Tony will be responsible for leading and aligning Findorff’s Healthcare Group with the Company’s overall strategic goals. He will manage various healthcare projects, oversee the development of people representing the Healthcare Group, as well as grow relationships with Findorff’s healthcare clients.
With 15 years of experience under his toolbelt, Tony has worked with a few healthcare institutions throughout Wisconsin, including SSM Health and Upland Hills Health. He will also be working in Illinois with Carle Foundation Hospital in his new role. While off the project site and away from the office, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He also enjoys a weekend away to go musky fishing.
From meticulous planning efforts to innovative prefabrication methods, we are in constant pursuit to construct quality buildings. We are also proud of the genuine relationships and roots we have established with each project. Our recent work at Marquette University emphasizes this and our commitment to craftsmanship as we continue to focus on our core values.
Findorff strives to be the industry’s best. Our superior, innovative, and safe construction practices drive what we do every day. Because of our technical expertise and meaningful community ties, Findorff’s talented staff is genuinely invested in the construction projects we build throughout the Midwest. The new Commons at Marquette University is no exception.
Situated along the northwest side of campus, The Commons is a co-ed residence hall and spans over 292,000 square feet with 890 beds. Strategically built through careful planning and advanced construction practices, we are pleased to say Marquette alumni were part of the Findorff team. “I’m proud to be working with fellow alumni who began their professional pursuits at this school years ago,” says Findorff Project Manager and Marquette Civil Engineering graduate Mike Stern. “It’s exciting to know that our work here will affect many students and provide a creative, comforting home away from home.”
Findorff is excited to celebrate major project milestones! Hub on Campus Minneapolis, as well as Columbia County’s Administration and Health & Human Services buildings were recently completed. Additionally, Exact Sciences broke ground for its new headquarters at University Research Park.
Hub on Campus Minneapolis is a new 26-story, 429,000-square-foot mixed-use apartment tower near the University of Minnesota. It celebrated its completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on August 15. The $70 million project provides the Minneapolis community with 407 units, 707 beds, and retail space covering a quarter block. It took 22 months to build the project and was recognized a MNSHARP worksite for its outstanding safety record. This is Findorff’s third major student-housing project with the Hub developer Core Spaces.
Over 250 people were in attendance on August 18 for the grand opening of Columbia County‘s new Administration Building, the new Health and Human Services Building, as well as the unveiling of the renovated Courthouse. The new buildings and renovated courthouse total over 160,400 square feet. The building site straddles the canal between the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers and connects with a pedestrian bridge. The project provides Columbia County’s staff with new office space, conference rooms, exam rooms, courtrooms, and improved AV technology.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by many government officials, Columbia County staff, and community members. “Your buildings are solid and competently executed…They will last for generations,” said Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Daniel Kelly, a guest speaker at the dedication. The projects initially broke ground February 2016, taking 30 months to complete.
On August 14, Exact Sciences broke ground on Innovation One. This is a new five-story, 138,000-square-foot headquarters that will house team members and departments that are currently spread across multiple offices in the Madison area. Design with environmentally friendly building features, the Innovation One will be LEED® certified, promote collaboration, and more vibrant workspaces.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Kevin Conroy, chairman and CEO of Exact Sciences remarked, “From our headquarters, Exact Sciences will continue to lead the war on cancer through early detection. Our product pipeline is strong and we expect this site to be home to new breakthroughs in cancer screening and diagnostics that will better the lives of people around the world.
“Completion of Innovation One is scheduled for early 2020. The project’s architect is Valerio Dewalt Train Associates.
As Findorff continues to focus on its core values this summer, we are highlighting how we help build communities. The spirit to support others’ growth and success is at our core. We have been fortunate to support hundreds of organizations and thousands of people over the years. From charitable donations to volunteer efforts, we are committed to making a difference. As we are more than a builder, our communities define who we are and what we do. It gives meaning to the places we raise our families and establish our roots.
Habitat for Humanity shares the same mindset. This year, we partnered together once again to frame up a Habitat Home. In the spirit of community, over 80 employees volunteered their time as part of Habitat for Humanity’s Frame Up initiative. This major undertaking took place earlier this summer and supported a local family from Fitchburg. With the family, Findorff volunteers rolled up their sleeves and created a construction site from its prefabrication shop to build wall frames. Findorff Project Manager Chris Helt organized the event.
“I’m proud to have so many of us work together to help provide shelter for those in need,” said Chris. “We may be experts in constructing facilities of all shapes and sizes, but helping our community is still our core mission.
Findorff is excited to announce a major accomplishment related to our safety efforts. HUB Minneapolis, an upcoming student-housing development on the University of Minnesota campus, recently became a MNSHARP construction worksite. MNSHARP stands for the Minnesota Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program. Sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s Workplace Safety Consultation division, this program recognizes projects that exceed standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).To become a MNSHARP worksite, Findorff developed a strategic safety plan to effectively minimize construction-related injuries and illnesses. From January 2017 through May 2018, representatives from MNSHARP performed six site-safety inspections of HUB Minneapolis to ensure Findorff’s safety and health management system was sound and identifiable hazards were addressed. The project also had a total case incident rate less than the national average of 2.8, which was key to earn the MNSHARP designation.
The designation of a MNSHARP worksite is especially notable because less than 40 projects have earned this recognition since the Program’s start in 2007. This is a testament to our skilled staff. Safety is a priority every day for all projects, not just HUB Minneapolis. Ongoing OSHA construction trainings are conducted. Routine safety audits are performed. Site-specific safety plans are developed. The most advanced safety equipment is used…plus much more!
If you are interested in learning more about Findorff’s safety efforts, feel free to reach out to Findorff’s Safety Director Nick Femal.
As a former Big 10 athlete, Brian Malich knows the importance of staying focused and positive results. He also knows hard work leads to success. That said, we are excited to announce his promotion to Senior Preconstruction Manager. In this new role, “My goal is to create and maintain client relationships that continually evolve to meet new challenges in construction,” said Brian.
With over 15 years of experience, Brian has been a vital asset to Findorff’s preconstruction team. He has collaborated on facilities across the Midwest, offering his constructability and budgeting expertise to projects of all sizes. Brian’s success is not only because of the high standards he has set for himself, but also is a result of his passion for excellence.
When Brian is not occupied with helping clients determine how to construct projects efficiently and economically, he enjoys spending time with his wife and six kids, as well as visiting local festivals and events.
Every summer, Findorff takes time to celebrate its core values. As we recognize character this July, we pledge to bring the highest level of service and craftsmanship. It drives everything we do, from constructing iconic buildings to supporting our communities. We’ve remained steady on this commitment throughout our history. Most recently, we led our first Construction Camp. This was a fun, hands-on opportunity for local students to learn what it means to be a general contractor.
As part of the undertaking, we teamed with the Dane County School Consortium, trades professionals, and school districts. Over the course of a week, students received hands-on experience and industry insights on the many facets of construction, both on and off the job site.
Findorff’s staff, ranging from business development and preconstruction personnel to project managers and superintendents, shared what it takes to construct a building. These included efforts to pursue a project, budgeting, and construction management. Students even received “on-the-job” training with a visit to an actual construction site and tips on how to stay injury free.
From this experience, students also learned the various job opportunities available in the construction industry. “Exploring career opportunities in construction was great,” said Verona Area High School student Ryan Christensen. “Trades professionals walked us through the building process and helped us understand the many parts of construction.