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Congratulations to these talented individuals on their recent promotions at Findorff! This achievement is a true testament to their hard work and dedication.

From conferences to leadership announcements, spring has been an exciting time for Findorff’s food and beverage team! Here’s a recap of what we’ve been up to during the past few months.

Sharing Our Leadership

While Findorff has built in the food and beverage industry for more than 50 years, our team continues to grow and match the evolving industry. We shared a blog post in April to formally introduce our food and beverage leaders. Alex Johnson, Food & Beverage Group Lead; Brad Olson, Director of Project Management; and Joe Schuchardt, Vice President – Wausau continue to spearhead exciting developments for our food and beverage projects.

CheeseExpo and Cheese Market News

Findorff attended the annual CheeseExpo in Milwaukee, which is hosted by the Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association. The team had a great time connecting with industry partners and gaining further insights on the latest in cheese production, manufacturing, and how this relates to facility construction.

We were additionally featured in a recent issue of Cheese Market News, where we share some of our food and beverage experience and continued commitment to fulfilling client visions. Check out the article here.

Alex Johnson, Food & Beverage Group Lead, and Menno Huiser, Senior Project Manager, at Findorff’s booth during Cheese Expo.

FaB Wisconsin

The first-ever Food and Beverage (FaB) Wisconsin Member Conference took place at the end of May in Waukesha. In addition to breakout sessions, a dynamic panel shared insights on today’s food and beverage landscape. Findorff was honored to be a sponsor of the event, and Alex Johnson, who is also on the FaB Leadership Council, provided opening remarks to kick off the day.

Alex Johnson delivers opening remarks at the FaB Wisconsin Member Conference.

Food and beverage plays an instrumental role in Wisconsin’s economy and culture, and we are passionate about delivering best-in-class construction services that support an ever-growing industry. From additions to build-outs, renovations to new construction and more, we are happy to answer any questions and provide solutions for your next project. Connect with our team to learn more.

If you have visited a hospital or emergency room, served in the military, or even simply used a smartphone, you have interacted with a mission critical facility. “Mission critical” is a widely unknown term, despite the essential role they play in our overall infrastructure.

Findorff is a builder of mission critical facilities, and we know firsthand some of the intricacies and specialized tactics that go into constructing them. By gaining a greater understanding of mission critical work, we as a society can continue developing facilities that enhance our infrastructure and day-to-day life.

In This Article

What Is Mission Critical Construction?

Mission critical construction is the process of building facilities that operate all the time, with no interruption. Unlike an office building where people go home at the end of the day and the lights turn off, mission critical facilities run 24/7.

Some of the most common examples of mission critical facilities include:

If something disrupts the function or operations of these facilities, there can be significant consequences. Across mission critical facilities, this type of construction involves structural components that are unique and often complex.

Data Center Construction

Data centers have been around for many years, but the introduction of large-scale data centers has been more recent. As our reliance on cloud-based technology has steadily increased, so does the need for data centers, which are essential for storing and hosting that data.

Data center construction is unique in that it requires a lot of power, as well as cooling systems so that servers don’t overheat. These cooling systems rely on water — which has, at times, raised concerns about the strain placed on natural resources.  However, technological advancements strive to minimize the environmental impact, such as through closed-loop systems.

Building a data center with a closed-loop system requires water at the beginning, but then reuses the majority of that water. Data center construction companies need to be well-versed in building not only technical spaces that support IT infrastructure, but also the cooling systems that prevent overheating.

Findorff updated electrical power and cooling services for American Family Insurance’s national headquarters’ data center.

Solar Fields & Power Plants

Solar is a powerful source of renewable energy but, due to weather conditions and nighttime, sunlight is not consistent. Building a solar field or solar power plant involves more than installing panels — battery energy storage systems must be part of the blueprint to store excess electricity, as well as help distribute it.

Findorff supported Westphal with the installation of supports and solar panels for a solar array in Antigo, WI.

Read the Findorff Sustainability Report

Fusion Construction

Fission power plants harness the energy of nuclear fission, which is the splitting of a particle to release energy. Nuclear fusion is the exact opposite: two hydrogen particles collide and create more energy as a result. The impact is promising — fusion can generate three to five times more energy than fission and is also more stable. But the types of facilities that can accommodate the fusion process are still in the works.

Constructing fusion plants is incredibly complex, as these mission critical facilities require massive amounts of heat and pressure — fusion on earth takes place at more than 100 million degrees Celsius, which is six times hotter than the core of the sun. Extremely potent magnets are part of the infrastructure to generate the necessary amount of pressure.

While fusion power plants are not available yet, they are on the horizon. The world’s first plant is under construction in Washington, aiming to begin producing energy in 2028. Wisconsin is primed to also become a leading state in fusion, with research driven by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and investment coming from supporters, corporations, and the government.

As part of Fusion Week 2026, the Findorff team (pictured here with UW–Madison College of Engineering Dean Devesh Ranjan, center) attended the Great Lakes Fusion Energy Summit.

Hospital & Healthcare Construction

A typical healthcare clinic, such as an urgent care or family practice, has select hours of availability. Hospitals and ERs run 24/7 and need supports in place to keep operating. Building these mission critical facilities requires incorporating backup generators and power supplies into the design, so that if a storm or flooding wipes out power, operating rooms, ICUs, and emergency services can continue to provide life-saving care.

Hospitals also have their own data centers to store patient information. Redundancies in energy supply are factored into construction to keep that data protected and maintained in case of a breach.

Findorff built UW Health East Madison Hospital, which consists of an emergency department, hospital, cardiology clinic, and more.

Government & Military Construction

From air force bases to prisons and fire stations, mission critical facilities within the government and military contain highly elevated security measures. Like hospitals, they need backup generators and other redundancies to uphold safety and security. Large amounts of space may be allotted for mechanical rooms, control centers, and more. Many of these facilities also require data center construction to store and safeguard important (and sometimes classified) information.

Renovated by Findorff, the Madison Fire Station #1 is the city’s largest and busiest firehouse.

Mission critical facilities range in size and function, but all have complexities, and all require a specialized construction firm to build them. Findorff’s mission critical team brings decades of experience to construction projects across government, healthcare, science & technology, data centers, and more. Connect with our team to see how we can support your project.

 

Sources

https://usfusionenergy.org/science-fusion
https://www.kuow.org/stories/everett-based-helion-breaks-ground-on-world-s-first-fusion-power-plant

Community impact has been a cornerstone of Findorff’s more than 135-year history. For generations, we’ve remained committed to building up our communities beyond the construction site by investing in the places where we live and work.

We’re proud to partner with more than 350 community organizations that share our values and help create lasting impact through a variety of different focuses:

Being an integral part of this community means showing up, staying involved, and working together to make a difference. To reaffirm that long-standing commitment, Findorff created a new role within the company: Community Relations Manager, focused on deepening connections and expanding our involvement.

Leah Linscheid has been named to this role, bringing nearly 15 years of community experience, a deep knowledge of and appreciation for the communities we serve, along with an understanding of the impact thoughtful community engagement can have. As Community Relations Manager, Leah will lead Findorff’s efforts to build meaningful partnerships, coordinate community investments, and serve as a connector between the company, nonprofit partners, and the communities we call home.

Our investment in this role reflects a belief that strong communities are built through relationships, listening, and continued presence. At Findorff, we’re grateful to work alongside our partners to support initiatives that make a positive difference today and for generations to come.

Learn more about Findorff’s community involvement and the work we’re doing across Wisconsin.

Since 2020, Findorff has been recognized as Wisconsin’s Top Green Builder. We are honored to hold that title, ever motivated to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint — on our jobsites and beyond.

We provide sustainability services that empower our clients, so that they may make informed decisions that positively impact their buildings, both now and in the future. We enact initiatives that improve sustainability across our company operations, from net-zero energy solutions to electric vehicles and more. And we extend our commitment to sustainability throughout our community, sharing resources and dedicating time to organizations that strive to make our planet a better place for all.

On Earth Day and every day, Findorff cares about sustainability and doing what’s right. Check out our sustainability video to learn more.

Across Wisconsin and throughout the U.S., Findorff has more than 50 years of experience working on food and beverage manufacturing projects, ranging in size and complexity. From targeted improvements within active, occupied environments to large-scale production and processing facilities, Findorff’s dedicated food and beverage leadership team helps support the planning and execution of these projects throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest.  

As the food and beverage industry evolves, Findorff continues to deliver on projects that balance speed to market with safety, quality, sanitation, and the regulatory demands of highly controlled environments. Projects often involve hygienic zoning, sanitary construction practices, controlled process flows, and coordination of integrated utilities.   

Findorff’s experience spans a variety of facility types, including: 

This work is supported by a dedicated team of professionals who collaborate with clients to navigate technical, operational, and regulatory considerations unique to food and beverage facilities. 

Alex Johnson, Food & Beverage Group Lead    

Alex brings nearly a decade of experience supporting more than $325 million in projects and over 1.3 million square feet of building space, including food service environments and food production kitchens. He works closely with clients and project partners to understand complex requirements and coordinate practical, effective solutions. Alex is an active member of FaB Wisconsin, serving as a sponsor and holding a seat on the organization’s Leadership Council. 

Brad Olson, Director of Project Management  

With 25 years of experience, Brad has led teams on more than $1 billion in construction projects. His background includes complex technical work, production and processing facilities, and cold storage environments, providing leadership across projects of varying scale.  

Joe Schuchardt, Vice President – Wausau  

Joe has more than 30 years of experience working on food and beverage projects, including notable work for Schoep’s, Nueske’s, and Top Tier Ingredients. His experience includes facilities with material receiving, wet and dry processing areas, and specialized fire protection and wastewater systems. Joe has also led multiple projects within occupied facilities for a global cheese producer and processor.  

Chad Eschler will continue to serve as the Vice President – Business Development, supporting client relationships and strategic growth within the food and beverage industry.  

Bob Hougard will continue in his role as Vice President – Science & Technology, providing specialized expertise in technically advanced and regulated facilities. 

Visit our food and beverage page to learn more about our projects and expertise.

Sustainability has long been a part of Findorff’s work and vision. It’s reflected in the buildings we construct, our day-to-day operations, and our dedication to going beyond for our clients, people, and community. We are honored to have been recognized as Wisconsin’s Top Green Builder since 2020, and continue to maintain our legacy of delivering sustainable construction services throughout the state.

Part of maintaining this legacy includes looking back, reflecting upon our work and processes to not only identify our wins, but also our ways in which we can continue to grow. We compiled last year’s efforts into our first-ever Sustainability Report, which we are thrilled to share with you.

Take a look through the report to see how Findorff enacts sustainability across jobsites, within our company, and beyond.

2025 Sustainability Report

We’re proud to recognize our recently promoted team members. Each individual has earned this recognition through their leadership and meaningful contributions that continue to move our teams forward. Congratulations on this next step in your growth at Findorff!

Interested in a career with Findorff? Check out our open positions and apply today!

Nearly every school district across Wisconsin is experiencing a similar challenge: declining enrollment. One of the many implications of this trend involves a district’s infrastructure, and district leaders must find ways to manage underutilized facilities. With thoughtful planning, good communication, and help from strong facility planning partners, districts can work with their communities to find the best route forward.

What’s Causing Declining School Enrollment?

Declining school enrollment is not only a Wisconsin trend, but one seen nationally as well. Over the past two decades, the U.S. has seen an overall decline in birth rates: there are simply fewer students now than there were in 2006.*

As a result, declining enrollment is forcing school districts to rethink the way they use their facilities, particularly if buildings are under capacity or underutilized. When school buildings operate below capacity, districts must pay operational and maintenance costs (the latter of which are often more expensive) that could otherwise be avoided, and resources can be unnecessarily stretched. This results in higher spending per pupil with less educational impact. To address this, districts must develop holistic, cost-effective solutions while continuing to serve their communities well.

What is Rightsizing and How Can It Help?

When it comes to facility planning, rightsizing for school districts means aligning current and future enrollment with the amount of space needed for a school’s educational, co-curricular, and any other needs. Rightsizing looks at data to see how buildings are being utilized, as well as a building’s overall condition. The process of rightsizing helps districts answer what the “right size” of buildings or facilities is for a district population.

Rightsizing educational facilities can:

Rightsizing isn’t solely defined by the closure of buildings, but school consolidation or closure can be a component of it. For other districts, rightsizing may include expanding a district’s spaces for teaching and learning, such as if their enrollment is increasing. In one Wisconsin school district, a facilities solution involved both consolidating schools and building new.

Consolidating Schools for Success: A Case Study

A mid-sized school district was experiencing enrollment levels nearly 20 percent lower than the decade prior. At the same time, the district had recently retired a significant portion of its debt, creating a window to address long-term facility needs without exceeding historical tax rates. District leaders partnered with external experts — including EUA and Findorff as construction manager — to develop a comprehensive, long-range facilities plan.

Driving Decisions with Data

A good first step in facility planning and the potential for rightsizing is to understand a district’s enrollment. This district worked with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Applied Population Lab to assess past, current, and projected future enrollment trends. The results reflected declining population overall, not just the student population. However, the district’s oldest building, an elementary school, is in an area that could accommodate the most growth. This presented an opportunity to not only replace the oldest building, but also to align rightsizing tactics to match a growing area.

It’s worth noting that building a new elementary school in this area had been a point of interest for decades within the community. A referendum in 2009 and 2019 sought to build new, but the question failed both times. In 2023, there was now additional data to support a new elementary school as a potential solution. District buildings were assessed for structural integrity, educational adequacy, capacity, and maintenance costs.

From these findings, a few buildings were identified with the highest needs and, with rightsizing considerations, would make the most sense to close:

By closing buildings, the district would avoid more than $50 million in deferred maintenance costs over a 15-year period that would otherwise go toward keeping them open and operational. But moving forward with any potential solution would require community support.

Community Outreach and Engagement

As is the case with any potential facilities solution, simply hearing community concerns and priorities isn’t enough. Districts must also take action to address them. The superintendent worked tirelessly with staff, had a presence at all the buildings, and additionally had focused conversations with municipal leaders to get everyone on board.

Ongoing district communications were steady throughout the planning phase and took community feedback into account, and communications efforts expanded even further once a referendum was approved by the Board. The district, EUA, and Findorff enacted several strategies throughout planning to spread awareness and gather feedback:

Crucial to the district’s success was the involvement and active presence of the superintendent. They presented nearly 50 roadshows, posted up at coffee shops to be available to residents looking to chat, sent continual emails and made phone calls to connect with staff and community members, and more. The superintendent additionally got in front of staff immediately to answer questions and share transparent info on what they could expect.

First Successful Referendum in More Than a Decade

In November 2024, the district passed its first school referendum in over a decade with 58 percent of the vote. Rightsizing district infrastructure can come with challenges, but can ultimately provide solutions that make the best long-term fiscal sense.

Key Takeaways When Considering Rightsizing and School Consolidation

The decision to rightsize and/or consolidate buildings is not an easy one. So much life and learning happens in a school building, and it’s incredibly challenging to consider closing one. But there can be long-term advantages that better serve a district, which, in turn, can better serve its students, families, staff, and a community at large. When districts reach a crossroad, there are some important factors that can help forge a path forward:

*https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11537490/

As we reflect on 135 years in business, Findorff’s legacy has never been defined by one person, one project, or one moment. It’s been shaped by the thousands of employees, clients, partners, and community members who have been on this journey with us.

Our 2025 Findorff Foundations video reflects exactly that: the spirit of building with people, for people, and because of people.

To our clients, partners, and team, thank you. Your collaboration and support make our work possible. Here’s to celebrating what we’ve achieved together, and all that we’ll continue to build in the years to come!