“You treat people with respect, and when you do that the response you get is priceless.” Michael Murray

Peer Review

Murray finds safety in the most dangerous places

Michael Murray knows that safety is a slippery concept.

The standards that dictate safety on a construction work site are a world apart from those that ensure the safety of, say, Blackhawk helicopter pilots flying night missions into Baghdad. There's just no comparing the two worlds, and Murray, 31, should know because he's lived in both of them.

On Feb. 2, 2003, Chief Warrant Officer Murray left behind his life as the safety and human resources manager for Vogel Bros. Building Co., Madison, when he and the rest of the 1-147th Aviation Battalion of the Army National Guard out of Madison were called up for active duty in Iraq. Murray, who flies Blackhawks and is a safety officer in the National Guard, knew from a previous tour in Kuwait the year before that something big was about to happen in Iraq.

"When I was there the first time, you could tell that things were getting built up," he said. "You could tell the tension was building. When I left, I hoped I wouldn't have to go back."

But he did go back. And he stayed for nine months flying $9 million helicopters to provide aviation support to the troops in Iraq while at the same time fighting stifling temperatures that reached 130 degrees and slogging through workdays that didn't end until his eyes practically closed against his will.

In Iraq, safety meant choosing between flying night missions over power lines that were camouflaged by sand storms or day missions when aircraft were exposed to enemy fire. Safety meant choosing layers and layers of pilot safety gear despite the temperatures and struggling to find some sleep so he could fly the next day. And it meant fighting to get an air conditioner so the battalion could find some respite from the heat.

"We got it in August," he said.

Murray returned to Wisconsin in December and took up his old job at Vogel on Feb. 5. It would be an understatement to say he was happy to be home.

"I will admit it was the most miserable time in my life," he said. "I hated it. But when you get the call, you go and do the best you can."

Murray has been preparing for and answering that call ever since he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the military at the same time in the early 1990s. From that time on, his military and civilian lives have woven together, with each influencing the course he has chosen in the other.

He earned an occupational-safety engineering degree in 1998 after transferring to UW-Whitewater, and he started following the safety officer track in the military that same year because he hoped the safety experiences in one world would ultimately help him in the other.

"When I saw accidents in the military, I thought that some of my strengths could help take care of my buddies," Murray said. "When you see a crash, it's pretty devastating. In civilian or military life, accidents can be avoided."

Those parallel paths landed him at Vogel in 2000, where he handles human resources and safety issues for the company. And as the person in charge of safety policy with the contractor, he's proven that there really isn't such a big difference between the military and civilian life when it comes to keeping people safe.

"You can't just tell them what to do and walk away," he said. "You have to reward them. Appreciation goes so far in any industry. You treat people with respect, and when you do that the response you get is priceless. I take that to the military, and it's the same situation."

- Chris Thompson

Jefferson Street Parking Structure

Your Honor

County Materials Corp., Marathon, won a 2003 Concrete Design Award from the Wisconsin Ready Mixed Concrete Association and the American Concrete Institute for the company's work supplying a special ready-mixed concrete for the Jefferson Street parking structure in downtown Wausau. ... The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors/Master Plumbers-Wisconsin Association named Roger Evenson of Evenson Plumbing Inc., Hudson, the winner of its 2003 Contractor of the Year Award at the association's annual convention and trade show in Baraboo. ... Tweet/Garot Mechanical Inc., Green Bay, won the Safety Excellence Award from the Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin for the ninth straight year and is a finalist for the Wisconsin Corporate Safety Award from the Wisconsin Council of Safety. The company won the corporate award in 1999, 2000 and 2002. ... C.R. Meyer and Sons Co., Oshkosh, won the AGC of Wisconsin's General Contractor of the Year Award in the more than $30 million category. Staab Construction Corp., Marshfield, won the General Contractor of the Year Award in the $10 million to $30 million category. Magill Construction Co., Elkhorn, won the General Contractor of the Year Award in the less than $10 million category. ...

Burkhart Construction Corp., Butler, won the Circle of Excellence Award from Culver's Frozen Custard and ButterBurgers in recognition of the contractor's work exceeding expectations and embracing Culver's spirit. ... Callen Construction, Muskego, won the Residential Kitchen $30,000 to $60,000 Award and the Residential Exterior Under $100,000 Award from the Milwaukee/ National Association of the Remodeling Industry. ... Rick Rettler, president of Rettler Corp., Stevens Point and Middleton, won the Recognition Award for Public Service from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for his community service. ... Ken Kruska, retired chairman of J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Madison, was appointed Honorary Member by the AGC of Wisconsin for his service in leadership positions for both the AGC and its member firms. ... Buettner & Associates Inc., Fox Point, won two design awards from the Wisconsin Chapter of the American Society for Landscape Architects. The firm won the Design Merit Award for its work on the Renaissance Gardens at Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum in Milwaukee and the Design Honor Award for its work on the Garden Room Roof Garden in Shorewood. ... Market & Johnson Inc., Eau Claire, won the State Building Commission's 2003 Excellence in Construction Award for the company's work on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Chancellor's Hall project. Potter Lawson Inc., Madison, won the Excellence in Architecture Award for its work on the Biochemistry Building at the UW-Madison. Arnold & O'Sheridan Inc., Brookfield, won the Excellence in Engineering Award for its work on the utility phase of the Camp Randall Stadium renovation in Madison.

On the Horizon

The Cedarburg Public Library is considering either constructing a new library or adding on to the existing facility at a cost estimated between $7 million and $9 million. ... The Washington County Highway Commission and Excel Engineering, Fond du Lac, are developing plans for a $2.5 million highway garage on Washington Street in Slinger. ... Developers General Capital Management, Mequon, and Big Bend Development are working on plans for a $9 million senior apartment and retail complex on a vacant site at Kinnickinnic Avenue and East Becher Street in Milwaukee. ... The Country Inn Hotel and Conference Center, Waukesha, is working with Architectural Design Consultants Inc., Lake Delton, on a $30 million indoor water park at the hotel. ... The University of Wisconsin Cancer Center-Johnson Creek is moving forward with plans to construct a $6.2 million, 13,500-square-foot cancer treatment center in Johnson Creek. ... The UW-Madison is considering a $1.8 million renovation to the animal quarter space in the campus' Chamberlin Hall. ... The state Department of Veterans Affairs and Central Wisconsin Engineers & Architects Inc., Weston, are working on a $5.5 million advanced food production addition and renovation at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King. ... Zimmerman Design Group, Milwaukee, and Voss-Jorgensen-Schueler Co. Inc., Waukesha, are developing plans for a 22,000-square-foot, $3 million public library for the village of Pewaukee. Zimmerman is also working with the UW-Madison on plans for a $46 million addition and remodeling of the university's mechanical engineering building. ... Workshop Architects Inc., Milwaukee, is working with the UW-River Falls to develop a new, $28.4 million student union on the university's Pierce County campus. ... The village of Fredonia is considering construction of a new fire station. ... The Racine County Public Works Division is considering $4.9 million in health and safety alterations and technology improvements at the Ridgewood Care Center in Racine. ... The UW System has entered the design phase of a $1.1 million improvement project of Lowell Hall at the UW-Extension in Madison. ... Developer and builder Hunzinger Construction Co., Brookfield, is moving forward with plans to build a $32 million, 255-room Sheraton Hotel on Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Milwaukee. ... Real Estate Recycling, Minneapolis, is planning the $10 million Stadium Business Park on South 38th Street in Milwaukee. ... The state Department of Administration continues to plan for a $2.3 million renovation of Hill Farms Building E in Madison.

Dotted Line

Rawson Contractors Inc., Franklin, won a $2 million contract to construct the Briarwood sanitary-sewer extensions, lift station and force main for the city of Franklin. ... J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Madison, will construct the Walnut Street research greenhouse replacement for the University of Wisconsin-Madison after securing a $2.4 million contract. Kilgust Mechanical Inc., Madison, won a $1.2 million contract for HVAC on the project, and Elmstar Electric Corp., Kaukauna, won a $1.6 million contract for electrical work on the greenhouse. ... Jossart Bros. Construction, De Pere, landed a $1 million contract for utility and street construction work on South St. Augustine Street in Pulaski. ... Miron Construction Co. Inc., Neenah, will build a water utility administration office and vehicle storage building on Vondron Road in Madison after securing a $5.9 million contract for the job from the city of Madison. ... Ellis Stone Construction Co., Stevens Point, won a $2.6 million contract to renovate and expand the Hendrickson Center Recreational Facility in Waupaca. ... Pember Companies Inc., Menomonie, will construct the Jefferson Street road and streetscape project for Wausau after winning a $1.2 million contract for the job. ... Bukacek Construction Inc., Racine, will construct a 25,000-square-foot addition for the Limtech facility in Racine's Renaissance Park. The company also won a contract to remodel Plumb Gold Ltd., a jewelry store in downtown Racine. ... James Cape & Sons Co., Racine, won a $22.5 million contract for tunnel and open-cut sewer work for the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. ... Vinton Construction Co., Manitowoc, will handle concrete pavement work for the city of Appleton after winning a $2.7 million contract. ... Oudenhoven Co. Inc., Kaukauna, landed a $1.5 million contract to construct a new facility for Denmark State Bank in Wrightstown. ... Hoffman Construction Co., Black River Falls, will handle grading, surfacing and sign work in Dakota County, Minn., after winning a $1.3 million contract.

Driver Rich Loch leans on the car he hopes will carry him to victory on the American Speed Association circuit.

Off the Clock

On the right track

James Lagina owns the best of both worlds.

He's been a plumber for 27 years. Three years ago, he became owner of Louis Schmitt Plumbing Co. in West Milwaukee. He's been a car-racing fan for as long as he's been a plumber. He became co-owner of Loch-Lagina Motorsports LLC on Nov. 11, and he's got a driver set to compete for rookie-of-the-year honors on the national American Speed Association circuit this summer.

But for Lagina, there's only a slight line separating his two owner-ship gigs.

"I found that the only way to build relationships with people is in their back yard, and in our industry, a lot of people's back yard is racing," he said. "It really helps us differentiate ourselves from our competitors."

Best of the Web Check out www.bigdig.com for an update on Boston's Big Dig project. The project's official Web site includes photos, videos, a variety of features and all the statistics you can handle related to the largest highway project in American history. - Rick Benedict

And it doesn't hurt that the driver, Rich Loch, who is a co-owner of the team with his father, Rick, and Lagina, has proven his talent with a shelf full of trophies from his racing days on a statewide circuit and a successful run with his ASA premier at the end of last season. That talent, combined with a committed team led by crew chief Terry Evans and a new Franklin shop, had Loch-Lagina positioned for success when the new season kicked off at the end of March.

"In the last six or seven weeks, we've put together the shop," Lagina said in February. "We have an incredible crew of 12 to 14 people. They come from all walks of life, and the neat part about it is most of them are living a dream of working on a race team. When we look at how we're making this happen, it's all of us."

The concept of teamwork is where the line between his plumbing business and race team disappears for Lagina. When he talks about teamwork, there's no distinction between the two teams.

"Each one of the people who are part of our group is vital to the success or failure of the group," Lagina said. "I think it speaks of the whole purpose of teamwork."

The Loch-Lagina team will get a chance to showcase its product to the home crowds on July 17 at the Madison International Speedway and on Aug. 29 at the Milwaukee Mile.

- Chris Thompson

By Design

The First Christian Church in Bristol is watching its congregation grow. But with increased membership comes a need for space. So the church has teamed up with Kueny Architects LLC, Pleasant Prairie, and set its sights on a two-part expansion plan that will add 98,000 square feet to its facility over the next several years. The church is raising funds for the first phase, an 18,000-square-foot, $1.2 million youth ministry addition that will provide space for Sunday school classes, teen worship and Sunday child care. Upon completion of the estimated 10 months of construction in the first phase, the church will turn its attention to the second phase, an 80,000-square-foot, $4 million worship center with expanded administration and adult education space. The church is hoping to put the first phase out to bid this summer.