Nominations for the second annual Champions of Construction Awards, presented by the NEW Construction Alliance (NEWCA), are now open. The program is designed to honor the top skilled trades professionals within Northeast Wisconsin.
The Champions of Construction Awards recognize and honor the individuals who are making a lasting impact on the construction industry across Northeast Wisconsin. The program’s intent is to shine a spotlight on those who lead with integrity, innovate with purpose, and inspire the next generation of skilled trades professionals.
The NEWCA Champions of Construction consists of four prestigious awards:
Nominations for the 2027 Champions of Construction must be submitted by day’s end on Oct. 2.
“The goal of the Champions of Construction Awards is to recognize the best skilled trades professionals within Northeast Wisconsin,” says Jason Mathwig, industry alliance director for New North Inc. “Last year, beyond the initial four award winners, we were inspired by the sheer number of quality individuals working in the construction industry across all trades. We look forward to again highlighting some of the ‘best among the best’ in the area.”
To be eligible for a Champions of Construction Award, an individual must work in the 18-county New North region and be employed by a NEW Construction Alliance investor company. Nominations are open to all field crafts and construction trades (non-office positions). An investor company may submit a nomination only for an employee of its company.
A nomination, 300-500 words in length, should answer the question of, ‘Why are you nominating this person for this particular award?’ The nomination ideally will introduce the person and his or her role; highlight his or her key achievements, including skills, work ethic, leadership and impact, citing specific examples; and summarize why he or she deserves the award, along with how he or she stands out among peers.
The Youth Apprentice of the Year award is designed to recognize a recent spring high school graduate or second-year youth apprentice starting his or her senior year, who has satisfied minimum requirements for a one-year youth apprenticeship. The winner will exemplify dedication to a trades skillset; outstanding communication skills; possess a clear interest in pursuing a long-term career in construction; maintain a high level of reliability, safety awareness and teamwork; and demonstrate eagerness to learn with continuous improvement and a mastery of technical construction skills.
Machaela Mader, a virtual construction youth apprentice working in the virtual construction trade at Miron Construction, was the 2026 winner of the Youth Apprentice of the Year Award.
The Rising Star award is intended for an individual who has worked in the construction trades industry for five-or-less years. The winner will be someone who demonstrates outstanding craftsmanship, technical ability and rapid skills growth beyond his or her years of experience. He or she will actively seek out training, certifications and mentorship opportunities to enhance his or her expertise in the trade, along with showing creativity and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges.
Kristen Vera, a construction technology specialist working in the pipefitting trade at Tweet Garot, was the 2026 winner of the Rising Star Award.
The Excellence in Mentorship award recipient will be an individual who has worked in the construction trades industry for 6-25 years, and who has mentored youth, registered apprentices and/or industry peers. He or she will possess a track record of developing successful industry professionals, along with inspiring others to pursue long-term careers in construction.
Rod Dax, a now-retired sheet metal labor coordinator within the sheet metal trade at Tweet Garot, was the 2026 winner of the Excellence in Mentorship Award.
The Craftsman Legacy award is designed to recognize a construction trades industry professional with 25-plus years of experience. The winner will have demonstrated exceptional skill, expertise and technical knowledge in his or her trade, and will have consistently produced high-quality work that exceeds industry standards. The recipient also will have devoted a significant portion of his or her career to the construction industry, leaving a lasting impact on projects, colleagues and the trade as a whole. In addition to upholding the highest standards of safety, ethics and professionalism, he or she additionally will have made a lasting impact beyond the job site by actively supporting the construction industry, local community and his or her employer.
Tom Gerlikovski, sheet metal shot manager within the sheet metal trade at J.F. Ahern, was the 2026 Craftsman Legacy Award.
Award recipients and their achievements will be recognized in front of peers and industry leaders at the NEW Construction Alliance annual meeting on Jan. 20, 2027. They additionally will be highlighted on the NEWCA website and social-media channels, along with in promotional materials.
More information on the 2026 Champions of Construction Award winners can be found at: https://www.thenewnorth.com/newca-announces-winners-of-initial-champions-of-construction-awards/. The initial award winners tell their own stories at https://newconstructionalliance.org/champions-of-construction/2026-champions-of-construction-recipients/.
Those companies interested in submitting a Champions of Construction nomination who are not currently a NEWCA investor, can learn more about the benefits of being an investor at https://t.ly/newcainvestor.
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New North, Inc.
New North Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit, regional economic development corporation fostering collaboration among private and public sector leaders throughout the 18 counties of Northeast Wisconsin, known as the New North region. The New North brand unites the region both internally and externally around talent development, brand promotion and business development, signifying the collective economic power behind the 18 counties. The counties include Brown, Calumet, Door, Florence, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Waushara and Winnebago. www.thenewnorth.com
NEW Construction Alliance
The NEW Construction Alliance (NEWCA) is an association of employers in the construction trades within Northeast Wisconsin. Members collaborate to work with educators, workforce- and economic-development organizations, and government to promote careers in the building and construction trades. www.newconstructionalliance.org