Your honor

Findorff’s collaborative effort for its Milwaukee office earns a Heart of the Community Award. Photo courtesy of J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.

The Commercial Association of Realtors of Wisconsin honored brokers and companies with 2006 Deal of the Year awards. Steve Palec of CB Richard Ellis, Milwaukee, and Sam Denny of Schlitz Park, Milwaukee, won the Office Deal of the Year Award and the Overall Deal of the Year Award for their work on the Manpower headquarters in Milwaukee’s Park East corridor. Kevin C. Barry and Kurt Van Dyke, both brokers with Colliers Barry, Milwaukee, won the Investment Deal of the Year Award for their sale of the former International Flavors and Fragrances building in Menomonee Falls. William R. Quinlivan of Colliers won the Retail Deal of the Year Award for his sale of the Crossroads Commons property in Portage County. Bob Gintoft and Stephen Provancher, both of NAI MLG Commercial, Brookfield, won the Industrial Deal of the Year Award for their work on the Leeson Electric property sale and leaseback in Grafton. Paul Galbraith of Apex Commercial, Brookfield, won the Multifamily Deal of the Year Award for his work on Pilgrim Glen in Menomonee Falls. J. Michael Mooney, chairman of NAI MLG Commercial, won the Realtor of the Year Award for his leadership in CARW. Jay Craig, senior real estate director of Opus North Corp., Milwaukee, won the Affiliate of the Year Award for his work with CARW. … The Milwaukee County Park System won two awards for its Brady Street Bridge, which spans Lincoln Memorial Drive in Milwaukee. The bridge earned a 2006 Bridge Design Award of Excellence from the Portland Cement Association and a 2006 Park Section Design Award of Excellence from the Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association. … Hunzinger Construction Co., Brookfield, held its Q3 Awards Event to recognize employees, subcontractors, suppliers and clients for dedication to excellence, customer satisfaction and exceeding industry standards. Q3 Award winners included: Erv Zacher, a Hunzinger retiree, for his work on multiple projects; Liz Heidenreick of Group Health Planning for her assistance with Hunzinger’s health-insurance plan; M&M Office Interiors, Pewaukee, for its work on Hunzinger’s office remodel; Jennifer Moreau, Hunzinger’s marketing coordinator, for her work in marketing and communications; Pabst Farms, Oconomowoc, and Walsh Masonry, Ixonia, for their work on the M&I Bank at Pabst Farms; Costantino Emanuele, a Hunzinger field laborer, for his work on multiple projects; DACCO Trailer Co., Jackson, for its work on all projects; and JFK Builders Inc., Pewaukee, for its work on the Hilton Garden Inn in Rockford, Ill. Q3 Award winners involved in the Regency House Condominiums project in Milwaukee were: the Regency House Condominium Association; JM Brennan Inc., Milwaukee; Staff Electric Co., Milwaukee; Dave Dell'Agnese, a Hunzinger project manager; Scott Rengstorf, a Hunzinger superintendent; and Dave Fischer, a Hunzinger superintendent. Q3 Award winners involved in the Bayshore Mall redevelopment in Glendale were: Steiner & Associates, Columbus, Ohio; Graef, Anhalt, Schloemer & Associates Inc., Milwaukee; Fred Kinateder Masonry Inc., Waukesha; AZCO Inc., Menasha; Eagle Disposal Inc., Franksville; Raab Mechanical Inc., Waukesha; Price Erecting Co., Milwaukee; Schneider Excavating Inc., Lannon; Black Diamond, Oak Creek; Ryan Guckenberger with Frank F. Haack & Associates Inc., Milwaukee; Bill Meuer, a Hunzinger laborer; John Hoffmann, a Hunzinger superintendent; Tim Van Dyn Hoven, a Hunzinger vice president/senior project manager; Craig Konrad, a Hunzinger project manager; Chris Brzeski, a Hunzinger superintendent; Jeff Antczak, a Hunzinger general superintendent; Larry Palank, Hunzinger’s vice president of preconstruction services; Todd Norgel, a Hunzinger superintendent; Kevin Johnson, a Hunzinger assistant project manager; and Jon Jansen, Hunzinger vice president/senior project manager, for his work on Bayshore as well as St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Milwaukee. … The Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin honored several companies with 2006 Build Wisconsin awards. In the General Contractor-New Construction category, The Boldt Company, Appleton, won for its work on the Affinity Health Systems Family Practice Clinic, Greenville; Miron Construction Co. Inc., Neenah, won for the Shattuck Park Pavilion & Riverwalk in Neenah and the Dane County Courthouse in Madison; and Vogel Bros. Building Co., Madison, won for the Tetronics/ SAFC Inc. project in Madison. In the General Contractor-Renovation category, Market & Johnson Inc., Eau Claire, won for its work on the St. Mary’s Assumption Parish in Durand; Tri-North Builders Inc., Madison, won for the Stafford Rosenbaum LLP project in Madison; J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Madison, won for the University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics Rooftop Heliport Facility in Madison; and Kraemer Brothers LLC, Plain, won for the Abbey Resort in Fontana. In the Design Build-New Construction category, Frank O. Zeise Construction Co. Inc., Green Bay, won for its work on a new fire station in the town of Gibraltar; Miron won for the Cardiovascular Associates of Northern Wisconsin project in Wausau and the Nicolet Center in Green Bay; and CR Meyer, Oshkosh, won for the Riverside Park and Leach Amphitheater in Oshkosh. In the Design Build-Renovation category, C.D. Smith Construction, Fond du Lac, won for the Kohler K-12 School project. In the Heavy/Industrial/Warehouse Construction category, Kraemer won for its work on the Foremost Farms freezer addition in Richland Center, and Boldt won for the Stora Enso North America #26 Paper Machine rebuild in Biron, the Manitowoc Public Utilities Columbus Street Power Plant addition and the Calpine Corp. Fox Energy Center phases one and two. In the Municipal Utility/Underground Construction category, Speedway Sand & Gravel Inc., Middleton, won for its work on the East Washington Avenue project in Madison. In the Specialty Contractor-Electrical category, H&H Electric Inc., Madison, won for its work on the UW Hospital & Clinics Rooftop Heliport Facility, and Van Ert Electric Co. Inc., De Forest, won for the Calpine Corp. Fox Energy Center. In the Specialty Contractor-Mechanical category, Hurckman Mechanical Industries Inc., Green Bay, won for its work on the Susan Schuster Pet Resource Center in Appleton; North American Mechanical Inc., De Forest, won for the Covance Laboratories chilled-water power plant in Madison; and H&H Industries Inc., Madison, won for the Dane County Courthouse. In the Specialty Contractor-Plumbing category, J.F. Ahern Co., Fond du Lac, won for its work on the GE Healthcare project in Milwaukee. In the Specialty Contractor-Exterior Finishes category, Tri-North won for its work on the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva. Hoffman LLC, Appleton, won an Environmental Excellence Award for its work on the Affinity Medical Group Little Chute Clinic, and Boldt won the award for its work on the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Northeast Regional Headquarters and Service Center in Howard. Findorff won an Excellence in Partnering Award for its work on the Meriter Hospital atrium expansion in Madison. … World of Wood Ltd., Oconomowoc, won the 2006 Annual Zero Lost Time Accident Achievement Award from the Architectural Woodwork Institute. … Gossen Corp., a Milwaukee-based moldings company, won the 2006 CG Schmidt Ovation Award for Corporate Support from CG Schmidt Inc., Milwaukee. As a result of the award, CG Schmidt donated $1,500 and Gossen donated $3,500 to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, which is the state’s largest homeless shelter. CG Schmidt also gave Madison’s Capitol Bank an Honorable Mention Award for corporate support. … R.A. Smith & Associates Inc., Brookfield, won the Runner Up Award in the 2006 Wisconsin Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics & Integrity. … The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ Northeast Regional Headquarters building in Howard won the Award of Merit from the Wisconsin Green Building Alliance for the structure’s excellence in energy efficiency and sustainability. … The Milwaukee office of J.H. Findorff & Son Inc. won the Heart of the Community Award from the Wisconsin Commercial Real Estate Women for the construction company’s collaborative effort with private, nonprofit and public entities in the completion of Findorff’s Milwaukee office. … Bassett Mechanical, Kaukauna, won the 2006 Manufacturer of the Year Award in the large-sized manufacturer category from the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce & Industry for the company’s industry innovations, customer focus and operational excellence. … The Historic Third Ward Riverwalk project in Milwaukee won a Special Achievement Award for Public Space from the International Downtown Association for the project’s impact on downtown revitalization. The project also won an Award of Excellence at the Sustainability & Energy Efficiency Leadership Awards for the project’s sustainable design, construction and operation.

Peer Review

One-track career

Alam sticks with engineering

Masud Alam always wanted to be an engineer, not that he had much choice.

Alam, president of Oak Creek-based GESTRA Engineering Inc., grew up in Dahka, the capital of Bangladesh, a country where higher-education opportunities are limited to a few select students.

“Only the top 1 percent of the nation got into engineering school,” said Alam. “By the time you are in ninth grade, you better be running with your focus on what you want to do to get into that school — or any school for that matter.

“The majority of our young time was spent looking at the books.”

In such a competitive environment, Alam had to devote himself entirely to one pursuit. Since the only two careers that would ensure him a good-paying job at the time were engineering and medical, his interest in engineering easily took priority.

“When I was growing up, the country was slowly transforming, and I had a few family members who were civil engineers,” Alam said. “Seeing them involved in large road building and bridge projects excited me to follow that path and become an engineer.”

After obtaining a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from a Bangladesh university in 1984, Alam earned his master’s and doctorate from Oklahoma State University.

With no experience, Alam found the engineering job opportunities offered to him in the United States very low-profile, so he left the country in 1993 to work in Malaysia.

“I actually wanted to go back home and work there, but graduating with no experience and no money in my pocket, I didn’t really want to go right away,” he said. “I was also concerned that if I stayed in the [United States] a few more years, I would settle down, get spoiled and never return home.

“I had a few Malaysian friends who wanted me to stay in touch, and Malaysia was hungry for engineers, so I had a better chance to deal with much more complicated or challenging projects.”

In Malaysia, the 31-year-old Alam was thrown right into the mix. He managed the design of a $500 million highway project and was one of several engineers on the Petronas Twin Towers, the tallest buildings in the world at the time.

“That was a huge project, and I was one of the youngest engineers working on it,” said Alam, now 44.

Knowing he would eventually leave Malaysia but not wanting to subject his two young daughters to another culture change in his native Bangladesh, Alam moved back to America to lead the technical department at Kenosha Testing and Engineering Inc.

“The beauty of this country is that when you get into the system, the country likes to retain you and use your experience and background vs. Malaysia, which doesn’t really open the door for foreigners to stay there or get naturalized,” Alam said. “It’s just a matter of time before they make you leave.”

Alam was accepted for permanent residence in the United States as an “exceptional ability alien,” meaning his residency was based on his quali-fications, not personal or company sponsorship.

“That was a great honor,” he said.

Alam formed a good relationship with KTE President Robert Cords and was put in charge of the company’s new design branch, GESTRA, in 2000.

When KTE was acquired by Kansas-based Terracon Consulting Engineers & Scientists in 2003, Alam left the company and took GESTRA with him. He added soil testing to make it a full-service, geotechnical firm.

Since then, GESTRA worked on the Oak Creek power plant and Marquette Interchange projects and was named to the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s Future 50 list in each of the last two years.

Alam plans to expand the company’s offices to Chicago, Madison and Green Bay and increase the number of employees from 18 to about 50 in the next five years.

“I’m very aggressive and would like to expand,” he said. “Having said that, as soon as my daughters graduate, I might revisit whether I should continue as president of GESTRA.

“I’ve never had any career other than engineering. I should probably try something else.”

- Joe Grundle

On the horizon

The West Bend Museum of Art is in the initial planning stages for an expansion of its facility. … St. Francis Borgia is raising funds for construction of a new school and a potential church expansion at its Cedarburg location. … The city of Brookfield is examining a proposal to replace two of its aging fire stations. The city also is preparing a $12 million project to widen Calhoun Road. … Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc., Chippewa Falls, is working with the city of Menomonie on plans for a new fire station. … Strang Inc., Madison, is designing an estimated $3.2 million public-safety building for the town of Middleton. … SunStarr Real Estate Group LLC, Fond du Lac, is proposing construction of an assisted-living facility with 50 to 60 apartments on West Pierce Street in Milwaukee. … St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy is moving forward with plans to rehabilitate a dormitory and construct a variety of athletic upgrade projects on the Delafield campus. … Jefferson County is considering an expansion of the Jefferson County Fair Park in Jefferson. … The Callahan Family YMCA, Kenosha, is raising money for construction of a $3 million to $5 million aquatic center at the facility. … Advanced Healthcare SC, Milwaukee, wants to construct a new medical clinic in Grafton. … HSR Associates Inc. in association with RDG Planning & Design, La Crosse, is developing a plan for an estimated $11.97 million stadium and fields complex at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. … The University of Wisconsin-Waukesha is planning construction of a $1 million to $2 million engineering building on the campus. … McCormack & Etten Architects, Lake Geneva, is working with Covenant Harbor Bible Camp on an estimated $1.8 million expansion of the camp and retreat center in Lake Geneva. … Kenosha County is planning a $3 million expansion of the Kenosha County Detention Center in Kenosha.

Dotted line

Madsen Johnson Corp., Hudson, won an $8.03 million contract to construct security improvements at several wastewater-treatment facilities in Minnesota. … Michels Corp., Brownsville, secured a $3.96 million contract to construct a sewer rehabilitation in Milwaukee. … Staab Construction Corp., Marshfield, will construct the Pike Creek lift station in Somers after winning a $3.39 million contract for the job. … Michels Construction, Neenah, landed a $3.05 million contract for steel-pole installation work in Naperville, Ill. … Reesman’s Excavating & Grading, Burlington, took home a $2.85 million contract to construct sewer and water extensions in Somers. … R.G. Huston Co. Inc., Cottage Grove, landed a $3 million contract for lift station, sewer, water and street construction work in Janesville. … J.H. Findorff & Son Inc., Madison, won a $2.75 million general contract to renovate the sixth and seventh floors of the Waisman Center on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. H&H Industries Inc., Madison, won a $1.86 million HVAC contract for the Waisman job. … Carl Bowers & Sons Construction Co. Inc., Kaukauna, will construct a utility extension in Kaukauna after winning a $2.52 million contract for the job. … A.W. Oakes & Son Inc., Racine, landed a $1.85 million contract for sewer and water extension work in Somers. … LaLonde Contractors Inc., Milwaukee, secured a $1.67 million contract for paving work in Oshkosh. … Gilbank Construction Inc., Clinton, won a $1.31 million contract to construct a pumping station in Janesville. … Dorner Inc., Luxemburg, will construct sanitary sewers and water mains in Lawrence after winning a $1.06 million contract for the work. … Stevens Construction Corp., Madison, won a $1.02 million contract to construct a clubhouse for Pleasant View Golf Club in Middleton. … Consolidated Construction Co. Inc., Appleton, won the contract to construct a Cambria Suites Hotel in Appleton. … Creative Constructors LLC, Meno-monee Falls, won contracts to build a 7,000-square-foot retail center on Silvernail Road in Waukesha and a Ruby Tuesday restaurant in Milwaukee. … Inland Construction, Milwaukee, was awarded the contract to construct Park Place Technology Center B in Milwaukee. Inland also won contracts to construct tenant-improvement projects in Mequon and Milwaukee. … Keller Inc., Kaukauna, will design and build a 1,568-square-foot, lean-to addition for Ottery Brothers LLC in Campbellsport.

Top Dollar

Miron Construction Co. Inc., Neenah, won an $8.58 million contract to construct a nutrient-management research lab for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Marshfield/Stratford.

Branching out

CG Schmidt Inc., which is based in Milwaukee, recently opened a division office at 10 E. Doty St., Suite 615, Madison. The new office will offer construction-management services to the Madison area. The phone number for the Madison office is 608-251-4535.

By design

Rendering courtesy of Partners in Design Architects Inc.

The Kenosha Unified School District No. 1 wants to consolidate its two inner-city elementary schools into one facility. The plan will help the School District save on operational costs and, if everything goes right, offer students a state-of-the-art school. Partners in Design Architects Inc., Kenosha, and construction manager Riley Construction Co. Inc., Kenosha, are working to turn that plan into reality at the former American Brass site on 65th Street and 15th Avenue in Kenosha. The project team is looking at an April construction start for an as-yet-to-be-named school in the middle of an urban renewal neighborhood at the site. The two-story, 73,000-square-foot school will offer space for kindergarten through fifth grade as well as an early childhood program. The estimated $11 million project should reach completion in April 2008, with occupancy slated for the following fall semester.

In memorium

Gil S. Rosenberg of Sarasota, Fla., and Madison died Sept. 23 of kidney failure. Rosenberg, 76, founded Midland Builders, Madison, in 1952 with his father, Abraham. The company merged with Don Simon Homes, Madison, in 2003 to form Veridian Homes, Madison. … Clarence J. Lade, Wauwatosa, died Oct. 14 of natural causes. Lade, 80, was a member of Carpenters’ Union Local 344 in Milwaukee for nearly 59 years. … Cathryne Rose, Greendale, died Oct. 16 of a stroke following a recent blood clot. Rose, 96, helped found Roman Electric Co. Inc., Milwaukee, and was a valuable member of the company until her retirement in 2001 at the age of 91.

Off the clock

A bang for your buck

The Potter Lawson food-drive team forms an assembly line to load a National Guard truck with food for the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin in 2005. Images courtesy of Potter Lawson Inc.

A dollar can’t buy much these days.

It’ll cover an hour at a parking meter, a can of soda from a vending machine, an old pair of mittens at a rummage sale and maybe a very thin, somewhat tasteless, cheeseburger. It just doesn’t have the buying power it once had.

But weak though it may be, the dollar is not dead. It’s still a worthy bill, particularly when it comes to the Share Your Holidays food drive for the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin.

Unlikely as it might sound, a dollar donated to the food drive buys seven meals. And that’s an equation very familiar to Potter Lawson Inc., Madison.

“An interesting aspect of the food drive is there are always nonperishable items, but we’re finding that money donations can do more,” said Dustin Struckmeyer, interior designer for Potter Lawson. “They can buy in bulk. As much as we encourage nonperishable items, cash items bring home the bacon, I guess.”

The architectural firm just finished its 15th year as a major player in the food drive. Between 2000 and 2005, the firm raised 327,031 meals with the help of employees, consultants and every company Potter Lawson comes in contact with.

The Potter Lawson food-drive team forms an assembly line to load a National Guard truck with food for the Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin in 2005.

“Madison is an amazing community, and giving back is so important,” said Rebecca Prochaska, Potter Lawson’s marketing coordinator. “My first year, it warmed my heart to see how much of our staff gave back. Seeing our total really blew me out of the water.”

The firm raised 63,500 meals last year. This year’s goal stood at 70,000 meals.

The overall Share Your Holidays runs through Dec. 7, but Potter Lawson’s portion of the food drive went from Oct. 23 to Nov. 21. Because the firm acts as a drop point for contributors in Madison, the food gets stored at Potter Lawson and then shipped in a National Guard truck to Madison’s main drop point on the final day of the drive.

It’s on that day that the firm holds a potluck meal and determines which of four company teams raised the biggest donation. Then everyone forms a human chain and loads the truck.

“This year, we have a theme of sitting at the grown-ups’ table,” Struckmeyer said. “Second place sits at the kids’ table, third place sets up, and fourth place takes down.

“The best part is we all work, we’re all busy, and we’re taking the time to hang out together.”

Second Harvest’s need for food doesn’t end with the food drive. The best way to make a donation is by calling the organization’s Maipa Ly Tong-Pao at 608-223-9121, Ext. 112.

- Chris Thompson