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20

20 READER RANKING AWARDS

EVERY GREAT PROJECT

EVERY GREAT PROJECT

STARTS WITH A GREAT TEAM.

STARTS WITH A GREAT TEAM.

WE FIND THE BEST.

WE FIND THE BEST.

APPLETON, WI

APPLETON, WI

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ERGSEARCH.COM

ERGSEARCH.COM

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920.996.9700

920.996.9700

Reader Rankings 2020 | 3 3

A Message from the Associate Publisher/Group Editor

OUR READERS HAVE THEIR SAYFor the fourth year in a row, The Daily Reporter has asked our readers to pick the best of the best in

many construction-related categories. Unlike the other award programs that The Daily Reporter hosts throughout the year, this honor is selected by clients, colleagues and customers based on the voters’ experience and a company’s reputation in its market.

We sent the questionnaires to our print, digital and eBlast readers and you picked the winners in each category. This year we received more than 11,000 responses to our survey, the largest response in the four years we’ve compiled our Reader Rankings.

These are your awards and reflect who you think are the best of the best. All the awards are based on the valuable feedback you provided.

Inside these pages you will find the winner of each category, as well as the top winners in categories ranging from Best Building Industry App to Best Engineering Firm to the Best Materials Supplier to the

best place to grab a drink.

The companies represented on the following pages should feel empowered by the fact that they have been recognized by the construction community as being the best at what they do.

We congratulate all the winners and also congratulate you, our readers, for picking these well-deserved honors.

Joseph D. Yovino Associate Publisher/Group Editor, The Daily Reporter

Associate Publisher/Group Editor

Joe Yovino

[email protected]

Managing Editor

Dan Shaw

[email protected]

Advertising Director

Bill Beyer

[email protected]

Multimedia Account Executive

Christy Peterson

[email protected]

Regional Business Manager

Gina Brignac

[email protected]

New Media Specialist

Rick Benedict

[email protected]

Circulation Manager

Joe Owens

[email protected]

Designer

Robin Graves

[email protected]

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POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:

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Published by The Daily Reporter Publishing Co.225 E. Michigan Street, Suite 300, Milwaukee, WI 53202

Copyright 2020 The Daily Reporter Publishing Co.Material published in the Reader Rankings special section is compiled at substantial expense and is for the sole and exclusive use of purchasers and subscribers. The material may not be photocopied, republished, resold, recorded, or used in any manner, in whole or in part, without the publisher’s explicit consent. Any infringement will be subject to legal redress. Registered with the Secretary of State of the State of Wisconsin.

ISSN #1534-1917 | USPS #000-857

4 | Reader Rankings 2020 4

Best Abatement Company1. Balestrieri Environmental & Development

2. Integrity Environmental Services

3. Badger Environmental Services

Best Architectural Group1. Galbraith Carnahan Architects

2. EUA

3. Zimmerman Architectural Studios

Best Automatic Door Company1. H.J. Martin and Son

2. GEIS Garage Doors

3. Automatic Entrances of Wisconsin

Best Bonding and Insurance Firm1. R&R Insurance Services

2. J. Ryan Bonding

3. Brehmer Agency

Best Carpenter1. H.J. Martin and Son

2. Hunzinger Construction

3. Wellenstein & Sons

Best Civil & Structural Engineering Firm1. raSmith

2. GRAEF (tie for 2nd)

2. Kapur (Kapur & Associates) (tie for 2nd)

Best Commercial Real Estate Firm1. Wangard Partners

2. Irgens

3. CBRE | ESI (tie for 3rd)

3. Coldwell Banker Advantage (tie for 3rd)

3. Judson & Associates (tie for 3rd)

Best Developer1. Wangard Partners

2. Mandel Group

3. Zilber Property Group

Best Directional Drilling Company1. Michels Corp.

2. Con-Cor

3. Hard Rock (tie for 3rd)

3. Waas Boring & Cable (tie for 3rd)

Best Engineering Firm1. raSmith

2. REYN Engineering

3. Somerville Architects & Engineers

Best Equipment Rental Company1. Sunbelt Rentals

2. Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental

3. Ideal Crane Rental

Best General Contracting Company1. Altius Building Company

2. Wellspring Construction Group

3. Miron Construction

A|E|C Companies & Organizations


EXPERIENCE COUNTS

Serving Southeastern Wisconsin for more than 25 years.

414-365-3651

www.wfastaffing.com

Wisconsin’s first choice

for Construction management placements.

Tom Krist CEO

Best Infrastructure Engineering Firm1. Kapur (Kapur & Associates)

2. GRAEF

Best Interior Design Firm1. H.J. Martin and Son

2. EUA

3. Brothers Interiors

Best Iron Work Company1. Cardinal Fabrications

2. Badger Railing

3. Ace Iron & Steel (tie for 3rd)

3. AGM Erecting (tie for 3rd)

Best MBE/DBE Company1. Mavid Construction

2. Greenfire Management Services

3. JCP Construction

Best Mechanical Contracting Company1. J.F. Ahern Co.

2. JM Brennan Inc.

3. Total Mechanical

Best Paving Company1. Munson Inc.

Register your email to get full, behind-the-paywall access at The Daily Reporter website.

You will need your account number which is located above your name on the printed label of the newspaper.

Visit dailyreporter.com/manage-account-fc to set up your access today to get breaking news and

other digital features.

READ US ONLINE!Did you know that digital access is included with your print subscription?


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You could be losing clients due to incorrect contact info on various search engines or not even listed at all in directories. Start getting more clients by increasing your online creditability by maintaining up-to-date, consistent and visible business information across top search engines and directories.

Up-to-date information makes Google love YOU more!

Contact Christy Peterson, Multimedia Account Executive [email protected] or 414-225-1830

Online directories are the digital versionof yesterday’s phone books; if you aren’tlisted correctly, you are limiting yourability for potential customers to fi nd you.

Best Plumbing Company1. Cornerstone Plumbing

2. J.F. Ahern Co.

3. JM Brennan Inc.

Best Private Developer1. Irgens

2. Interstate Partners

3. Lee Mechanical

Best Trade Organization1. Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin

2. Commercial Association of REALTORS WI

3. Associated General Contractors of Wisconsin (tie for 3rd)

3. Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (tie for 3rd)

Best Trade Training Program1. ABC Apprenticeship & Training Trust

2. WRTP/BIG STEP

3. Wisconsin Carpentry Training

Best Union1. International Union of Operating Engineers Local

139 (tie for 1st)1. UA Local 601 Steamfitters (tie for 1st)

3. Milwaukee Carpenters District Council

8 | Reader Rankings 2020 8 LembergElectric.com

Best Brewery1. Lakefront Brewery

2. New Glarus Brewing

3. Copper State Brewing

Best Client Dinner Location1. Eddie Martini’s

2. Mr. B’s - A Bartolotta Steakhouse – Brookfield

3. Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro

Best Client Lunch Location1. Café Hollander – Brookfield

2. Café Benelux (tie for 2nd)

2. Harbor House (tie for 2nd)

Best Location for Drinks with a Client1. Harbor House

2. Water Street Brewery

3. The Rumpus Room - A Bartolotta Gastropub

Best Place for a Quick Lunch During the Workday1. BelAir Cantina Brookfield

2. Culver’s

3. Chick-fil-A

Food and Drink


Best Advertising Agency1. Martin Communications

2. Zizzo Group

3. Core Creative

Best Aerial Photography and 3D imaging firm1. Curtis Waltz

2. Kevin Harnack

Best Auto Dealer1. Holz Motors

2. Wilde Toyota

3. Gordie Boucher Lincoln

Best Auto Mechanic1. Greitens Auto Service

2. Gary’s Auto Repair

3. Wittlin’s Service

Best Benefits Program1. Lee Mechanical | Service

Best Business Accounting Provider1. MBE

2. Wipfli

3. Legacy Accounting & Financial Services

Best Business Bank1. Associated Bank

2. Tri City National Bank

3. BMO Harris Bank

Best Cell Phone Provider1. Verizon

2. US Cellular

3. Camera Corner Connecting Point (tie for 3rd)

3. Spectrum (tie for 3rd)

Best Commercial Moving and Storage Company1. CH Coakley

2. U-Haul Moving & Storage of West Allis

3. Schroeder Moving & Storage

Best Commercial Windows Company1. H.J. Martin and Son

2. Klien Dickert

3. Pella

Best Concrete Supplier1 RivCrete Ready Mix

2. Ozinga

3. Lycon Inc. (tie for 3rd)

3. New Berlin Redi-Mix (tie for 3rd)

3. Schmitz Ready Mix (tie for 3rd)

Best Construction Consulting Firm1. Hunzinger Construction

2. VJS

3. Facility Value Management

Service Providers and Suppliers


Best Construction Law Firm1. Husch Blackwell LLP (tie for 1st)

1. Stroud, Willink & Howard LLC (tie for 1st)

3. Davis & Kuelthau (tie for 3rd)

3. von Briesen & Roper (tie for 3rd)

Best Crane Rental1. Ideal Crane Rental

2. Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental

3. Reynolds Rigging and Crane

Best Drywall Company1. H.J. Martin and Son

2. Mavid Construction


Best Fleet Dealer/Leasing Company1. Bergstrom

2. Enterprise Rent-A-Car

3. Ewald

Best Golf Course1. Erin Hills Golf Course

2. Brown Deer Park Golf Course (tie for 2nd)

2. Ironwood Golf Course (tie for 2nd)

2. Sand Valley Golf Resort (tie for 2nd)

Best Interior Decorator1. Creative Business Interiors

Best LEED Consultant1. Sustainable Building Solutions

2. IBC Engineering Services (tie for 2nd)

2. WasteCap Resource Solutions (tie for 2nd)

Best Lumber Supplier1. Bliffert Lumber & Hardware

2. A. Fillinger Inc.

3. The Home Depot

Best Masonry Company1. KMI Construction

2. Superior Masonry Builders

3. Concrete & Masonry Restoration

Best Materials Supplier1. Wisconsin Building Supply

2. Menards (tie for 2nd)

2. Walcro (tie for 2nd)

Best Office Building Real Estate Firm1. Wangard Partners

2. Mandel Group

3. Founders 3

Best Office Furniture Firms1. Coakley Brothers

2. Creative Business Interiors

3. M&M Office Interiors

Best Outplacement and Career Transition Provider1. Challenger, Gray & Christmas (tie for 1st)

1. Volt Services Group (tie for 1st)

3. Lee Hecht Harrison


Best Printing Supplier1. A/E Graphics Inc.

2. Independent Printing

3. Burton & Mayer Printing (tie for 3rd)

3. The UPS Store (tie for 3rd)

Best Private Banking Services1. Landmark Credit Union

2. Town Bank

3. Nicolet Bank

Best Promotional Item Company1. 4imprint

2. Brew City Promotions

Best Property Management Company1. Wangard Partners

2. Founders 3

3. CBRE Wisconsin (tie for 3rd)

3. Irgens (tie for 3rd)

Best Public Relations Agency1. Mueller Communications

2. Nation Consulting (tie for 2nd)

2. Zeppos (tie for 2nd)

Best Recruiter1. Employment Resource Group (tie for 1st)

1. Wegner & Associates (tie for 1st)

1. WFA Staffing (tie for 1st)

Best Retail Real Estate Firm1. Wangard Partners

2. Shorewest Realtors

3. Newmark Knight Frank

Best Safety Equipment Supplier1. Advanced Fastening Supply (tie for 1st)1. Grainger Industrial Supply (tie for 1st)

3. Lincoln Contractors Supply

Best Safety Management Company1. The Horton Group – Waukesha

2. TC Risk Management Services

Best Security Company1. ADT

2. Martin Security

Best Warehousing1. ULINE

2. CH Coakley

Best Wealth Management Provider1. Drake & Associates

2. Annex Wealth Management

3. R&R Insurance Services

Best Work Event Venue1. Good City Brewing

2. Potawatomi Hotel & Casino

3. Best Places at the Historic Pabst Brewery


Tired of sharing your login? JobTrac subscribers get 3 digital seats.

Enhance your Daily Reporter subscription to JobTrac today by calling Rich Holevoet at (414) 225-1822 or send an email to [email protected]

Best BIM Software1. Autodesk Revit

2. Virtual Design & Construction Coordination

3. Assemble (tie for 3rd)

3. Lee Mechanical | Service (tie for 3rd)

Best Building Industry App1. Procore

Best Computer Consulting Firm1. iNET PC

Best Construction Management Software Company1. Procore

2. Impact Networking

Best Estimating Software1. Timberline2. FastPipe/FastEst3. Assemble

Best Internet Service Provider1. Google2. US Cellular3. Spectrum

Best Take Off Software1. Bluebeam2. FastPipe/FastEST3. Assemble

Best Web Designers1. Zizzo Group2. THIEL Brand Design3. iNET PC

Software


Thank you!

R&R Insurance Voted #1 “Bonding and Insurance Firm”

&

Top 3 “Wealth Management Provider”

MyKnowledgeBroker.com/Construction

Best Commercial Cleaning/Restoration Company1. H.J. Martin and Son2. Kelmann Restoration3. Paul Davis Restoration of South Central Wisconsin

Best Commercial Fence Company1. Century Fence2. Munson Inc.3. Badger Fence

Best Commercial Flooring Company1. H.J. Martin and Son2. Lippert Flooring and Tile3. Thomas A. Mason Co.

Best Commercial Trucking Company1. AmeriLux International2. Martinson Trucking

Best Electrical Construction Company1. Pieper Electric2. Lemberg Electric3. Steiner Electric

Best Environmental Services/Remediation Firm1. Balestrieri Environmental & Development2. Sustainable Building Solutions3. The Sigma Group

Subcontractor/Specialty Contractor

14 | Reader Rankings 2020 14Commercial, Industrial and Specialty Painting(262) 641-9100 [email protected]

Choose Southern Wisconsin’s most skilled industrial and

commercial painting contractor.

HessSweitzerPainting.com

Hess Sweitzer Winner Print Ad FINAL Resize.indd 1Hess Sweitzer Winner Print Ad FINAL Resize.indd 1 12/17/20 5:21 PM12/17/20 5:21 PM

Best Fabrication Company1. J.F. Ahern Co.2. Cardinal Fabricating3. Grunau

Best Flooring/Tile Company1. H.J. Martin and Son2. Thomas A. Mason Co.3. Lippert Flooring and Tile

Best Landscape Design Company1. David J. Frank Landscape Contracting2. Avant Gardening and Landscape3. Hawks Landscape

Best Lawn Sprinkling Systems Company1. Milwaukee Lawn Sprinkler2. Sprinkmann Sons

Best Painting Company1. Hess Sweitzer Painting2. Thomas A. Mason Co.3. Common Links Construction

Best Pro Cutter Company (Concrete)1. Pro-Core2. Con-Cor3. Litgen Concrete Cutting & Coring

Best Restoration Company1. Kelmann Restoration

Best Sign Company1. Jones Sign Company2. Poblocki Sign Company3. Lemberg Electric

Best Steam Fitters1. Grunau2. UA Local 601 Steamfitters

Best Subcontractor/Specialty Contractor1. H.J. Martin and Son2. Hunzinger Construction3. Wellenstein & Sons

Best Waste Removal Firm1. Veolia Water North America2. Badgerland Disposal

Reader Rankings 2020 | 15 15Call Christy Peterson at 414.225.1830 or email

[email protected]

YOUR GOOD NEWS IS WORTH REPEATING

Reprinted with permission from The Daily Reporter. Copyright © 2019. All rights reserved.

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

& ICONS

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION BY

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

& ICONSYOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Giovanna SeneseBear Construction

Numbers add up for Senese

Adegree in physics might seem like a strange way of

getting into the construction industry, but it’s precisely

the one taken by Giovanna Senese.

Now a project engineer at Bear Construction Co.’s Milwaukee

office, Senese studied both physics and mathematics at the

State University of New York at Plattsburgh. Returning to the

Midwest with a degree in hand, she wasn’t quite certain what

sort of career she might choose.

She was familiar with construction because of her dad, who

had been employed for years by a general contractor. With

that connection, Senese was able to work a bit in construction

while growing up west of Chicago.

It was an experience she recalled fondly.

“I like the aspect of seeing something from nothing turn into

a building or a space and watch it develop from when there

was nothing there,” Senese said.

So when Bear Construction came calling, she jumped at the

opportunity. She found herself quickly thrown into the thick

of it.“I help with bidding and with little things like submittals

and contracts,” Senese said. “I’ve also been able to attend

networking events and see the business development side.”

She also had a hand in one of the company’s larger projects

in the Milwaukee area: the 18,000-square-foot expansion of

von Briesen & Roper’s law office on Wisconsin Avenue in the

city’s downtown.

Senese said she loves her job for the opportunity that it

gives her to work with people with a vast array of expertise.

“You can bounce ideas off each other,” she said. “You have

one guy in industrial and someone who specializes in health

care. And you’re bringing those different minds together so

you can solve problems more easily.”

Less appealing to her is the business-development work,

although she’s growing into it.

“I don’t do too much of it because I am a project engineer,”

Senese said. “It just seems to be one of the harder aspects of

this job. But it’s also a fun aspect. There’s never a dull moment,

even if it’s just a simple lunch meeting.”— Dan Shaw


YOUNG PROFESSIONALS& ICONS

A SPECIAL PUBLICATION BY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS& ICONS

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Mary AustinsonAssociated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin

For Austinson, member engagement easy as A-B-C

Aself-proclaimed social butterfly, Mary Austinson is a perfect fit for her job at the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin.

The organization’s 850 member firms make it the largest chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors in the country. Austinson, membership-engagement coordinator for the Wisconsin group, is responsible for ensuring members feel welcome and connected to the industry.

“I work side by side with Mary and see the passion she has towards helping our members be as successful as they can be,” said Bill Stranberg, ABC of Wisconsin membership director. “Within minutes of her meeting a new member, she can make them feel welcome and at ease and is a confidant and resource for them.”

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in public relations, Austinson also acts as a liaison between ABC members and the organization’s departments.

“She listens to their questions and concerns and looks to find long-lasting solutions to satisfy them,” said John Schulze, director of legal and government relations at the ABC of Wisconsin. “Mary’s outgoing personality and attention to detail are key in making sure our members are getting everything out of their membership.”

Austinson said the organization tries to make everyone feel as though they are part of a family.

“You form personal relationships with these companies and their employees, and you want to do whatever you can to help them succeed,” she said, adding that the members help make “it so easy to get up and go to work every day.”

In a fast-paced and ever-changing construction industry, Austinson exhibits the leadership, organizational and communication ability that’s needed to succeed.

Outside of her job, Austinson makes time for civic work. She recently joined the Rotary Club in Madison, and looks forward to giving back.

“Her accomplishments thus far paint a picture of what is to come for her: a bright future in the construction industry and a future leader,” Schulze said.

— Tiffany Nesbitt



A SPECIAL PUBLICATION BY


John MielkeAssociated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin Mielke leads ABC to unprecedented growth

John Mielke doesn’t need to look far for inspiration. The stories he often hears from the contractors he represents are often all the motivation he needs.ABC of Wisconsin mostly represents merit contractors — companies

often founded by single entrepreneurs or small partnerships. The determination it takes to start a business from scratch is “what’s good in America,” said Mielke, the group’s president.

ABC of Wisconsin had a banner year in 2018. The organization surpassed its all-time membership record of 880 in 2000 and now represents 881 contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and others, making it the largest ABC chapter in the country. The ABC of Wisconsin also reached an all-time-best membership-renewal rate of 92.32 percent in 2018. Mielke started at the ABC of Wisconsin as an apprenticeship coordinator in 1992 and later became its director of government affairs before going on to become president. He said the organization helps its members in part by providing three primary services: safety training, an apprenticeship program and government-advocacy work. The cyclical nature of the construction industry means that Mielke and the group must respond quickly to changing economic winds. In recent years, the industry has been locked in a labor shortage, prompting the ABC of Wisconsin to put more resources into its apprenticeship program and reach out directly to young people interested in a career.The group’s apprenticeship program also set records last year, having 400 new contracted apprentices enrolled in it and more than 1,450 participants working in 12 construction trades. Mielke said the program has been growing steadily.“We’re at a peak right now in terms of economic growth, which is a great thing,” he said. “When the economy was slow, the biggest question was, ‘How do I find work?’ The biggest question these days is, ‘How do I find people?’” The group has also been involved in passing a number of significant policies in recent years. Among them are the repeal of Wisconsin’s prevailing-wage laws, a law meant to prevent union companies from gaining unfair advantages from project labor agreements and an exemption from personal property taxes for construction machinery. Mielke said the policies the group pursues are rooted in the interests of its members. “They are centered around what’s core to our philosophy: give us an even playing field,” he said. “Let’s let the best firm win.”

— Nate Beck



A SPECIAL PUBLICATION BY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS& ICONS

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Mary AustinsonAssociated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin

For Austinson, member engagement easy as A-B-C

Aself-proclaimed social butterfly, Mary Austinson is a perfect fit for her job at the Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin.

The organization’s 850 member firms make it the largest chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors in the country. Austinson, membership-engagement coordinator for the Wisconsin group, is responsible for ensuring members feel welcome and connected to the industry.

“I work side by side with Mary and see the passion she has towards helping our members be as successful as they can be,” said Bill Stranberg, ABC of Wisconsin membership director. “Within minutes of her meeting a new member, she can make them feel welcome and at ease and is a confidant and resource for them.”

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a degree in public relations, Austinson also acts as a liaison between ABC members and the organization’s departments.

“She listens to their questions and concerns and looks to find long-lasting solutions to satisfy them,” said John Schulze, director of legal and government relations at the ABC of Wisconsin. “Mary’s outgoing personality and attention to detail are key in making sure our members are getting everything out of their membership.”

Austinson said the organization tries to make everyone feel as though they are part of a family.

“You form personal relationships with these companies and their employees, and you want to do whatever you can to help them succeed,” she said, adding that the members help make “it so easy to get up and go to work every day.”

In a fast-paced and ever-changing construction industry, Austinson exhibits the leadership, organizational and communication ability that’s needed to succeed.

Outside of her job, Austinson makes time for civic work. She recently joined the Rotary Club in Madison, and looks forward to giving back.

“Her accomplishments thus far paint a picture of what is to come for her: a bright future in the construction industry and a future leader,” Schulze said.

— Tiffany Nesbitt

Best Company to Work For1. H.J. Martin and Son

2. Altius Building

3. Wangard Partners

Best Employee Recognition Program1. H.J. Martin and Son


3. River Rock Transport

Best Innovative Workplace1. H.J. Martin and Son


3. Creative Business Interiors

Best Overall Leadership1. H.J. Martin and Son


3. Wellenstein & Sons

Best Workplace Culture1. H.J. Martin and Son


3. Northwestern Mutual

Top Employers

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R E A D E R R ANKINGAWA 2 0 RDSpageturnpro2.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/... · Let our national digital experts get you noticed at discounted prices. Only $65 month! You