NEWCA Announces Winners of Initial Champions of Construction Awards
Four Northeast Wisconsin skilled trades professionals have been named as the initial recipients of the Champions of Construction Awards, presented by the NEW Construction Alliance (NEWCA). The winners are:
- Youth Apprentice of the Year – Machaela Mader of Miron Construction
- Rising Star Award – Kristen Vera of Tweet Garot
- Craftsman Legacy Award – Tom Gerlikovski of J.F. Ahern
- Excellence in Mentorship Award – Rod Dax of Tweet Garot
Designed to recognize the top skilled trades professionals within the region, the awards will be presented in front of peers and industry leaders at the NEW Construction Alliance annual meeting on Jan. 14, 2026. The winners also will be highlighted on the NEWCA website and social-media channels, along with promotional materials.
“Congratulations to the recipients of the first annual Champions of Construction Awards,” says Jason Mathwig, industry alliance director for New North, Inc. “Reading through the stories and accomplishments of the award winners is inspiring and spotlights the many outstanding individuals we have in the construction trades in Northeast Wisconsin. The more we can celebrate our great local leaders in construction, the better the industry is positioned to build its next-generation workforce.”
The Youth Apprentice of the Year Award winner is Machaela Mader, a virtual construction youth apprentice who works in the virtual construction trade at Miron Construction. She was nominated by co-worker Kacie Hokanson, who described Mader as “an exceptional team member…she truly deserves recognition and reward for her hard work, dedication and positive attitude. From the moment she walks into the office each day, she comes ready and willing to take on any task presented to her, no matter the size, scope or challenge. She approaches her responsibilities with a proactive mindset, showing not only a willingness to contribute but also a determination to excel.”
A senior at Kimberly High School, she has worked at Miron for 1 year, 8 months. Hokanson shares that, though young in her professional career, Mader demonstrates great maturity and talent in her work, saying, “What sets Machaela apart is her ability to remain composed and resourceful when faced with difficult or complex projects. She has encountered challenges that required her to dig deep, think critically and find creative solutions, and each time she has risen to the occasion, delivering results that speak to her talent and resilience. A prime example of her skill and impact can be seen in her recent work designing two conference rooms for client. The owner’s representative praised her design and the client has decided to move forward with her vision, which is an incredible accomplishment that highlights her professional growth, creativity and ability to produce work that not only meets, but exceeds, client expectations.”
Hokanson additionally notes the soft skills that have made Mader successful as a youth apprentice at Miron, saying, “Machaela’s demeanor makes her a joy to work with. She consistently has a smile on her face, creating a positive and uplifting environment for those around her. She actively engages by asking thoughtful questions, absorbing information and applying feedback in a professional and respectful manner. Her eagerness to learn something new each day is evident, and this drive has allowed her to continually build her skills and expand her contributions to the department. It is rare to find someone who balances professionalism, creativity and a cheerful spirit so seamlessly at such a young age, but Machaela manages to embody all these qualities with ease.”
The Youth Apprentice of the Year Award, presented by AGC of Wisconsin, is designed to recognize a recent spring high school graduate or second-year youth apprentice starting his or her senior year. He or she 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.
The Rising Star Award winner is Kristen Vera, a construction technology specialist who works in the pipefitting trade at Tweet Garot. She was nominated by co-worker Ben Delcore, who wrote of Vera, “Kristen represents a new generation of construction professionals, demonstrating an exceptional blend of hands-on experience and cutting-edge technological leadership. Her years at Tweet Garot are defined by rapid progression and a commitment to technical mastery. Her work has resulted in measurable improvements in efficiency and productivity.”
Vera began her career on the shop floor, successfully earning her Journeyman card in August 2019. Her hands-on expertise gave her the ability to transition seamlessly from welding and fitting to the position of pipe spool detailer. In Vera’s current role of construction technology specialist, she harnesses digital tools to optimize the construction process. She also is an active instructor with UA Local 400.
Delcore also shared in his nomination, “Kristen’s most significant contribution is her leadership in implementing the Stratus workflow. This project was not merely adopting new software, but completely redefining the company’s approach to prefabrication and project management. Kristen was the integral, behind-the-scenes force for this system; she tested it thoroughly, was the primary problem-solver who customized it for Tweet Garot’s unique needs and trained her colleagues on its use…(Her) ability to transfer her shop-welding experience into the virtual world was key to making Stratus a success, ensuring the system was practical and effective for the people who use it.”
He additionally notes, “Kristen manages to drive this level of professional transformation while also being the parent of five children, demonstrating incredible discipline, time management and dedication.”
The Rising Star award, presented by Milwaukee Tool, is designed to honor an individual 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.
The Craftsman Legacy Award winner is Tom Gerlikovski, sheet metal shop manager within the sheet metal trade at J.F. Ahern. He was nominated by his supervisor, General Manager Gavin Barfknecht, who wrote of Gerlikovski, “Tom is the embodiment of craftsmanship, leadership and legacy in the construction trades. With over 27 years in the industry, he has built a reputation not only for his exceptional technical skill, but also for his dedication to mentoring others and advancing the trade. His career reflects every facet of the award’s criteria.”
A 25-year employee of J.F. Ahern, Gerlikovski spent 16 years honing his craft as a sheet-metal worker in the field before being promoted to his current position in 2014. Barfknecht describes his skills, “His technical expertise is unmatched. He’s a mechanic at heart and has a rare ability to assess complex situations and engineer practical, cost-effective solutions. Whether it’s designing custom insulation cutting machines for job-specific needs or repurposing a winch to power a flange-turning tool, Tom’s ingenuity has saved countless hours and dollars. His innovations have directly impacted the productivity of Ahern’s operations and have introduced tools that many in the industry have never seen.”
Barfknecht also shared in his nomination, “Tom’s leadership extends to overseeing every piece of ductwork that leaves the shop (more than one million pounds annually). His precision and oversight ensure that each piece meets the highest standards before reaching the field. His leadership style is hands-on and deeply respected. He’s rarely found at his desk; instead, he’s on the shop floor, working alongside his team, optimizing equipment and mentoring apprentices. His presence is constant, his work ethic tireless. He leads by example, stepping in when help is needed and holding high expectations for performance and accountability.”
He additionally notes the impact Gerlikovski has made in developing the next generation’s workforce, along with his devotion to safety, saying, “Tom has cultivated a pipeline of talent, guiding pre-apprentices into full apprenticeships and ensuring they’re prepared for the field. His ability to teach extends beyond the shop – he’s known for educating project managers, superintendents and colleagues on technical and safety matters…Safety is central to Tom’s leadership; he shows genuine care for every team member…and fosters a safety culture. His initiative, creativity and mentorship have influenced the broader construction community…He is the kind of leader people talk about outside of work, the one who can fix anything, teach anyone and always find a way to make things better.”
The Craftsman Legacy Award, presented by Nicolet Bank, is designed to recognize a construction trades industry professional with 25-plus years of experience, and is an individual who has demonstrated exceptional skill, expertise and technical knowledge in his or her trade, along with consistently producing high-quality work that exceeds industry standards. The winner also will have left a lasting impact on projects, colleagues and the trade as a whole. He or she also will have upheld the highest standards of safety, ethics and professionalism, in addition to actively supporting the construction industry, local community and his or her employer.
The Excellence in Mentorship Award winner is Rod Dax, sheet metal labor coordinator within the sheet metal trade at Tweet Garot. He was nominated by co-worker Ben Delcore, who wrote of Dax, “What sets Rod apart is his unwavering commitment to workforce development and his unique ability to communicate complex sheet metal concepts in ways that resonate with learners at all levels. He actively recruits for the trades at high schools and career fairs, and his passion extends beyond formal settings – he’s known for recruiting promising young people wherever he encounters them, even at the grocery store.”
Dax has 41 years of distinguished service within the construction industry, all at Tweet Garot, where he oversees hiring for the largest portion of the company’s Northeast Wisconsin operations. Within his own career, he rose from pre-apprentice to apprentice, foreman, shop foreman and labor coordinator, providing him with a deep understanding of every stage in the career of a tradesperson. Under his 27 years of leadership, the sheet-metal workforce of Tweet Garot has grown from approximately 30 employees to more than 200 today; he has personally hired and mentored 150-plus individuals through the Local 18 five-year apprenticeship program.
Tweet Garot President Hope Voigt is complimentary of the straightforward and supportive approach Dax takes in mentoring the company’s young employees, saying, “Rod invests in giving the next generation critical feedback in a way that makes them feel believed in and cared about. When others might take the easy road and find a way to avoid difficult conversations, Rod leans in, invests in our people and helps them find their journey to success.”
The Excellence in Mentorship Award, presented by DeWalt, is designed to recognize 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 should possess a track record of developing successful industry professionals, along with inspiring others to pursue long-term careers in construction.
The four Champions of Construction Award winners were selected from a pool of nominees within field crafts and construction trades (non-office positions) across the 18-county New North region, who are employed by a NEW Construction Alliance investor company.
The award winners tell their own stories at https://newconstructionalliance.org/champions-of-construction/2026-champions-of-construction-recipients.
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New North, Inc.
New North Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit, regional economic development corporationfostering 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
