Woman Contractor of the Year

Lucas’ contributions go beyond her job description

By Janine Anderson

Linda Lucas Vice president of Hess Sweitzer Inc., New Berlin

Linda Lucas’ job rarely confines her to her office.

She has worked for Hess Sweitzer Inc., New Berlin, since 1991, and she took responsibility for day-to-day business operations and became vice president of the firm in 1998. But working for Hess Sweitzer doesn’t always mean working at Hess Sweitzer.

Following the example set by company leaders Ralph Hess and Tom Sweitzer, Lucas branched out and became involved with the organizations that support her company and others like it. As a representative of the painting contractor, she has integrated herself into the subcontracting field, taking on challenges and responsibilities as they present themselves.

She is a former president of the American Subcontractors Association of Greater Milwaukee, vice president of the Wisconsin Painting Contractors Association, and she is active at the national level with both groups. She is a trustee on the Local 781 Health Fund, and she has worked with the Allied Construction Employer’s Association and the Construction Employer’s Legislative Council.

She’s under consideration for the ASA national board of directors and is chairwoman of the national task force on risk transfer. As if that wasn’t enough, she also started the ASA’s charity auction, which raised more than $5,800 for the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer Fund in the auction’s first year and raised thousands of dollars to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in its second.

Don Croysdale, executive director of the ASA of Greater Milwaukee, said Lucas’ capacity for involvement is incredible.

“It’s just something that Linda likes to do,” he said. “She probably has a hard time saying no. When people ask her to do things, she typically agrees to do it. I don’t know if I’ve seen where she’s reached a limit on that.”

Croysdale said Lucas has mentioned to him several times that she is lucky to work for someone who understands her desire to get involved in so many different things that aren’t directly related to her job with Hess Sweitzer.

“I think that Tom Sweitzer, principal owner of Hess Sweitzer, recognizes that Linda has a talent of getting out and working with people, and he allows her to do that,” Croysdale said. “If it were not for him allowing her to spend time in those areas, it would be difficult for her to do it.”

Bruce Ash, co-owner of Milwaukee-based Porta-Painting Inc. and a member of the ASA and the WPCA, said Lucas is a valued addition to any endeavor.
“One of her best assets is her smile,” he said. “It’s a dangerous weapon. It helps put people at ease.”

If she gets someone involved in one of her many causes, Ash said, they’re lucky to be on her team.

“She’s the organized one,” he said. “People have a tendency to rely on her because she’s going to have the facts and figures available.

“For some of us that have been on committees with her, it’s easier because we don’t have to take as extensive notes as you might normally. She’ll come back at the next meeting with everything laid out, so it’s less work for everybody else if she’s on the committee.”