Findorff has a long history building educational facilities. We also have a genuine interest in creating a foundation to help build careers. As such, we have worked closely with several school districts and the Dane County School Consortium. Because of these relationships, opportunities are available through youth apprenticeships for local students to explore careers in construction.
Back in 2014, Findorff started working with the DeForest Area School District on its latest facilities referendum. This served as the catalyst to support our youth apprenticeships. In turn, students have been given first-hand experience on what the construction industry has to offer for jobs, ranging from virtual construction to project management.
Most recently, Findorff worked with youth apprentices from the School District of Belleville and Sun Prairie Area School District. They are Julia McNamar and Eric Blumer. Check out their experiences below and what they have learned:
Julia McNamar, School District of Belleville: Julia has been working on the District’s Intermediate School addition since January 2018. A typical day involves working with Findorff project managers, engineers, and superintendents. Her responsibilities include responding to requests for information (RFIs), reviewing mechanical plans, and preparing two-week look-ahead schedules for subcontractors. From this experience, she has developed various useful skills. “The most valuable thing I have learned is that communication is the gateway to success,” she says. “With so many workers assigned to different areas of the project, communication is key to keep people informed and stay efficient.” After her youth apprenticeship with Findorff, Julia will continue working in the industry with NAMI for the summer and into the following school year. After high school, Julia would like to study mechanical engineering as she enjoys being hands on with each new project.
Eric Blumer, Sun Prairie Area School District: Since September 2017, Eric has been a youth apprentice for the District’s Meadow View Elementary School. He has worked closely with carpenters on the project, learning skills of the trade and the importance of quality craftsmanship. From this experience, he also understands the “value of hard work and attention to detail,” Eric says. “As my apprenticeship started when construction started, it has been really cool to see the School be built from the ground up and be part of something that will impact my community.” Eric is graduating high school this year and will be attending UW-Platteville. For a future career, he would like to be a project manager or engineer.
Findorff is excited to announce our award-winning work. Most recently, In Business, Milwaukee Business Journal, and The Daily Reporter recognized several of our newly constructed projects for their notable architecture and quality craftsmanship. They include:
- 25 W. Main: The former Anchor Bank building on Madison’s Capitol Square underwent an extensive redevelopment for what is now the newly renovated Old National Bank building. It includes a five-level underground parking structure and high-end apartment building called The Pressman. The project’s architect was Valerio Dewalt Train Associates. The project was recognized with a Top Projects Award from The Daily Reporter.
- 1433 N. Water: This downtown Milwaukee redevelopment represents a combination of the City’s historic architecture and modern construction. Plunkett Raysich Architects served as the project’s architect. Awards included a Real Estate Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal and a Top Project Award from The Daily Reporter.
- Madison College Culinary Training Center: This significant addition to Madison College’s Truax Campus was designed to help increase enrollment for certain degree-seeking programs and accommodate continuing-education opportunities. This project’s architect was Assemblage Architects. In Business magazine recognized the project as the Best New Educational Development or Addition.
- Oregon School District: Work was recently completed as part of a successful facilities referendum. Its scope included districtwide additions and renovations to meet 21st century learning standards and improve safety. Bray Architects was the architect. The project was recognized with a Top Projects Award from The Daily Reporter.
- Quarter Row: Just a few blocks from Lake Monona, Quarter Row is a new, four-story apartment building featuring a contemporary design and a variety of amenities. The project’s architect was Potter Lawson. In Business magazine recognized the project as the Best New Residential Development or Addition.
- Westin Milwaukee Hotel: With stunning views overlooking Lake Michigan, the Westin Milwaukee Hotel represents the modern class of its internationally renowned brand. Kahler Slater served as the project’s architect. Awards included a Real Estate Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal and a Top Projects Award from The Daily Reporter.
Congratulations to all the project teams for your hard work and success!
Findorff makes a point to celebrate National Hospital Week every May. It is an opportunity to recognize the hospitals, healthcare systems, and caregivers that contribute to the well-being of our communities. All play significant roles in making hospitals a place of compassion and confidence. We recognize this and how caring is the most important calling in healthcare. This outlook inspires the work we do every day.
Our experience is decades long and represents some of the most state-of-the-art hospitals throughout the Midwest. We track trends such as the shift to outpatient care, Hybrid ORs, and integrated-project-delivery methods so hospitals can best serve their patients and staff. Several of our latest accomplishments include Genesis Medical Center and UW Health at The American Center. We have also done notable work for ProHealth Care, SSM Health, plus many others.
Such work spans from minor renovations at 400 square feet to newly constructed facilities over 400,000 square feet. Findorff’s 30-plus ASHE and/or WHEA certified employees, ranging from project engineers to superintendents, make this possible. Our leading craftsmanship and qualified staff even earned Findorff notable recognition on a national level. Earlier this year, Findorff was recognized by Modern Healthcare as the only Wisconsin company to rank in the top 15 general contractors.
Findorff thanks all the physicians, nurses, therapists, engineers, food-service staff, maintenance technicians, volunteers, administrators, and many others for creating a sense of pride in the healthcare profession. Your continued efforts keep our communities healthy and safe.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.
We have groundbreaking news! Construction is officially underway in the Verona Area School District for its new High School. District administrators, board members, staff, students, and project consultants were all in attendance to celebrate this major milestone.
In April 2017, the District underwent the second-largest facilities referendum in state history. As part of this effort, Findorff was selected for preconstruction, referendum, and construction services. The new High School represents a major part of this undertaking. Located along highway 18/151 on a 150-acre site, the building will be 585,000 square feet and represent the latest in 21st century learning. Its design has been a collaborative process among staff, students, and project-team members. School safety and specific guiding principles have been major drivers in the project’s development. Attention has been given to progressive security features as well as making the building welcoming, sustainable, and modern.
Completion of the new Verona Area High School is scheduled for fall 2020. The project’s architect is Eppstein Uhen Architects.If you are interested in learning about similar Findorff projects, check out our K-12 Education Experience. Feel free to also contact our Director of Education Market & Communication Services Christin Mlsna.
Findorff employees make substantial differences on every project they do. Recently, two of our finest were recognized for the roles they play in the construction industry.
Senior Project Manager Luke Hutchins was recently named part of the 40 Under 40 class of 2018 by In Business magazine. Luke was honored at a reception held at the Madison Club. Luke, a Findorff employee for 17 years, has led efforts on many high-profile projects. They include The James and Hub on Campus Madison. Soon, Luke will also spearhead construction efforts on an expansion for HotelRED. When asked what he is most proud of in his construction career, he said “my greatest professional reward is being able to walk through the doors of a facility that I helped build.
”Project Engineer Courtney Cates recently received recognition as well. She was named a Rising Young Professional by The Daily Reporter. Courtney was honored at a reception held by The Daily Reporter in Milwaukee. In the last few years, Courtney has been involved with various significant projects including the UW Health Rehabilitation Clinic, Madison College culinary addition, and Illumina. “What I love most about my role at Findorff is that every day presents its own challenges and rewards,” says Courtney. “Every day is different!”
Congratulations to Luke and Courtney on their recent honors!
Recognizing Women in Construction Week highlights the growing role women play in our industry and brings awareness to the evolving opportunities available for women. At Findorff, we are proud to have many, talented women as part of our accomplished staff. Each reflects our core values of Character, Community, and Craftsmanship to help make big differences both on and off the jobsite. Meet several of our women in construction and their tips of the trade:
- Laura Blood Velotta, PE, LEED AP BD+C, QCxP: As Findorff’s MEP Manager, she is a “Jill of All Trades.” As a licensed Professional Engineer and expert of various mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, her responsibilities range from estimating and system reviews to BIM coordination and site visits. Her work is her passion. She loves helping create environments where people learn, live, heal, invent, work, and more. Her advice for women in the industry is to be confident and know you belong.
- Shauna Boyer: In her role as a Project Manager, Shauna juggles multiple projects at a time, but loves it as she gets to do something different every day. While out of the office and away from the jobsite, Shauna has served as an adjunct professor at the Milwaukee School of Engineering since 2010. She was also recently featured in the Milwaukee Business Journal article “Building a Talent Pipeline for Women”. Shauna’s advice for women in construction is to be confident and happy before walking into work every day.
- Stef Delifer: As the Yard Operations Superintendent, Stef has the major responsibility of managing Findorff’s 12-acre yard site that includes multiple warehouses, a mechanic shop, and trucking division. What she loves about her job is the challenge and varying activities of each day. It keeps Stef on her toes and attune to the everchanging construction industry. For women in construction, Stef’s advice is to accept what you know, and what you don’t know. In turn, never stop learning.
- Paige Kent-Möller: Paige is a Virtual Construction Specialist. Her position involves bridging the gap between field and project teams by utilizing BIM technology to reduce field-generated RFIs and improve the coordination process during construction. What she loves about the construction industry is that every day is a new challenge. Watching progress turn into a completed and successful project is very rewarding to her. As a woman in construction, Paige’s advice is to stay inquisitive, confident, stand your ground, and don’t give up.
Thank you to the women at Findorff for being such leading examples in construction. So many of you are making significant contributions to move our industry forward.
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]MADISON – Since Findorff’s start in 1890, our people have set the bar for excellence in the construction industry. We have continued this tradition as several of our employees were recently recognized by The Daily Reporter as Newsmakers of the Year. They include:
- Reese Mersberger: As the Rising Young Professional of the Year, Reese is a Project Engineer who routinely embraces new challenges with his unique experience and skillset. As part of the team that recently completed the impressive Westin Milwaukee Hotel, Reese helped coordinate construction efforts on a tight urban site, managed the project schedule, and assisted with labor management. For nearly ten years, Reese has additionally been engaged with community organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Revitalize Milwaukee.
- Christin Mlsna: Christin was recognized as the Business Developer of the Year. As she was recently promoted to Director of Education Market & Communication Services, Christin is known for strategically spearheading efforts and transforming business initiatives in Findorff’s education sector. In the last 10 years alone, Christin has supported $877 million of successful school referenda throughout Wisconsin. This work has included developing internal processes and procedures that have been replicated in Findorff’s other market sectors.
- Carl Wickman: Honored as Estimator of the Year, Carl has nearly 20 years of experience as Findorff’s Senior Preconstruction Manager. From K-12 educational facilities to high-rise residential developments, Carl’s expertise in preconstruction and estimating is second to none. He continually strives to go above and beyond to help clients save time and money on their construction projects. By working closely with project teams to manage budgets, value engineering, and constructability analysis, Carl exemplifies what it means to be a leading and strategic estimator.
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MADISON, WI – For over 125 years, Findorff has maintained a focus on exemplary character, community involvement, and quality craftsmanship. In the office and on the jobsite, Findorff is comprised of incredibly talented professionals and trades people, many of whom have been with the Company since they started in the industry. We know it’s truly our people that make the difference and we are privileged to share some exciting news.
Findorff is excited to announce that Jim Yehle has been promoted to Executive Vice President. This promotion acknowledges Jim’s incredible success during his 18-year career at Findorff and sets in motion a transition plan supporting the Company’s long-term vision to provide seamless leadership. Jim and President Dave Beck-Engel will continue to work together to position the company for future success.
During his career at Findorff, Jim has worked on many projects such as Edgewood College, Overture Center for the Arts, and The American Family Children’s Hospital. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Project Management with a concentration in healthcare and was fortunate to work with clients such as Meriter Hospital, St. Mary’s Hospital, UW Hospital, Stoughton Hospital, ProHealth Care, St. Clare, Grant Regional Health Center, Genesis Health System, Mayo Clinic Health System and many more. Jim says, “I look forward to continuing the tradition of providing excellent opportunities for our employees, while we continue to serve our clients at the highest possible level.”
Jim enjoys being very active in the community and is the past-president of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art Board of Trustees, Chairman of the University of Wisconsin Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Advisory Board, Vice President of the Madison Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors, and has coached Madison Magic Soccer Club for seven years. Jim, his wife Jessica and their kids reside in Madison.
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MADISON – On Thursday, July 14, local truck dealership Wisconsin Kenworth will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new state-of-the-art facility at 4539 Kenworth Drive in Windsor, Wis. The site is just north of the company’s former dealership. The event is open to the public and will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wisconsin Kenworth is a subsidiary of CSM Companies based in Madison, Wis. It operates six commercial truck sales and service locations across Wisconsin.
The 75,700-square-foot building incorporates many new technologies including bays specially designed to provide rapid-assessment diagnostic services and specially equipped areas to service environmentally friendly CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) powered units. Other innovative features include energy-efficient lighting and geothermal heating throughout the service bays and offices.
Lieutenant Governor Rebecca Kleefisch will be the event’s guest speaker. CSM Companies CEO Jim Moeller and dignitaries from PACCAR will also be in attendance. Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony will be site tours, food, and entertainment. Additionally, Wisconsin Kenworth is partnering with Second Harvest Foodbank to “fill a truck” with nonperishable food items for local families in need.
“We are excited to open this new state-of-the-art facility in Windsor,” said Moeller. “This is where we started in 1978. The new technologies and additional space allows us to provide our customers with the best service they have come to expect in a working environment our dedicated employees deserve.” The new facility is expected to add 30 new employees following the opening. It is the newest and most advanced commercial vehicle dealership in the Midwest.
Media is welcome to attend this highly anticipated ceremony. Photo opportunities will also be available.
Wisconsin Kenworth selected Findorff as its general contractor. The project’s architect is Excel Engineering.
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