38th ANNUAL DBE WORKSHOP AND NETWORKING SUMMIT
SPEAKERS
BMO Harris Bank Director Of Commercial Banking
Aaron Towns is Director of BMOs Commercial Bank in Southeast Wisconsin. Aaron oversees the strategic execution of BMOs Diversified Industry Groups clients who have revenues that range from $30M – $1B and is the Ambassador for BMO’s $40B Empower program. An initiative designed to provide financial and community driven investment in communities across the state of Wisconsin and beyond. Aaron joined the bank in 2013 and has more than 20 years of professional service experience.
Prior to his role with BMO, Aaron was an IT Leader a part of GE Aircraft Engines Leadership Development Program, Project Team Member with Kroger Corporate responsible for the creation of the Kroger plus rewards program. He then was recruited to be a part of National City Banks leadership team, where he lead 4 business lines and was responsible for the implementation of six sigma and lean methodology concepts being integrated in banking / finance, as a Best In Class initiative. Aaron, then joined 5/3rd Banks Consumer Banking line of business. With BMO, Aaron has served as a leader of one of BMOs top 5 Flagship locations, a Market President with BMOs Premier Wealth business, a Retail Regional Sales Manager and now takes his previous expertise to help his clients identify holistic solutions to positively impact their employees, leaders, corporate entity and community.
Aaron received his degree in Business Marketing and Information Systems with Xavier University and serves as an advisor and strategist for many local non profit organizations. Furthermore, he serves on the leadership committee for the OCC’s Project Reach initiative, which supports and advocates for small businesses and affordable housing in order to offer equity to underserved communities.
HNTB Vice President
Andy Kowske
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary
In January 2019, Governor Tony Evers appointed Craig Thompson to serve as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). WisDOT is one of the largest state agencies, with more than 3,200 employees and a biennial budget of more than $6 billion. The department supports all modes of transportation, including state highways, local roads, railroads, public transit systems, airports, and harbors. In addition, the department includes the Division of Motor Vehicles, which serves about 50,000 customers each week, and the Division of State Patrol that enforces laws and assists motorists throughout the state.
Previously Craig was the executive director of the Transportation Development Association (TDA) of Wisconsin. He has more than 25 years of experience working with Wisconsin businesses, communities, legislators and units of government. Prior to leading TDA, he served as the legislative director for the Wisconsin Counties Association, managing legislative initiatives at the state and federal levels.
Craig is a native of Racine and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He lives in Madison with his wife. They have a daughter and a son.
Director of the Office of Workforce, Innovation and Budget (OWIB)
Daniel earned his MBA from St. Norbert College and is the proud father of six children that he and his fiancé care for in Green Bay.Daniel Webster graduated from St. Norbert College in 2017 with a degree in Business Administration at which point he joined Walbec Group as a Human Resources Business Partner supporting the Northern district of Wisconsin and Michigan operations for Northeast Asphalt, Payne and Dolan, Premier Concrete, Zenith Tech and Construction Resources Management. Most recently Daniel was promoted to the Director of Diversity & Inclusion. Prior to Daniel’s recent transition into the Human Resource department, he spent four years in the field working as a Traffic Control Technician on heavy highway jobs throughout the state of Wisconsin working alongside many of the same personnel in whom he now serves. Some of the projects worked on were the Highway-Interstate 41 Corridor Mega Project in Green Bay, Wisconsin: the Zoo Interchange project in Milwaukee, multiple projects on highway 94 near Tomah and the greater Northwest region of the state. Daniel Webster is an Oneida Nation tribally enrolled member and has led the initiative in implementing opportunities for other tribal members not only in Oneida, but throughout the state of Wisconsin and amongst all eleven federally recognized tribes in the state. Dan has volunteered with the Tribal Labor Advisory Committee offering new concepts and ideas to assist in the development of successful outreach to tribal members. Daniel was introduced to the construction industry through the Northeast Wisconsin HCST program. Highway Construction Skills Training is a certified pre-apprenticeship program to assist in filling entry-level jobs for construction contractors throughout the state of Wisconsin. Upon the completion of the program Daniel has worked vigorously with not only the HCST program, but his community as well in helping to recruit and counsel students in utilizing the program and finding employment in the construction/trades industry. In 2018 Daniel Webster was one of the first six recipients to receive the HCST Hall of Fame Award. Daniel Webster serves on multiple boards and committees that help in advancing the construction industry.
Director of the Office of Workforce, Innovation and Budget (OWIB)
David Esse is the Director of the Office of Workforce, Innovation and Budget (OWIB) within the Division of Transportation System Development (DTSD) at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Prior to this position, David was the Innovation, Research & Technology Program Chief for DTSD and the Strategy, Innovation and Planning Officer for the Bureau of Information Technology Services (BITS) at WisDOT. David’s key role as DTSD’s OWIB Director is to foster a culture of innovation, support the development of a strong DTSD workforce, push for continuous process improvement, and enhance communication that tells the DTSD story.
BMO Harris Bank
Denisse Pachuca
Director for the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education
Derek Mosley graduated from Marquette University Law School in 1995. After graduation he served as an Assistant District Attorney for Milwaukee County from 1995-2002. As an Assistant District Attorney, he represented the State of Wisconsin in over 1,000 criminal prosecutions. In 2002, Mr. Mosley was appointed Municipal Court Judge in Milwaukee. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest African-American to be appointed judge in the State of Wisconsin. For ten years Mr. Mosley served as the Chief Judge of the Milwaukee Municipal Court. In 2023, Mr. Mosley became the Director of the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at Marquette University Law School.
Judge Mosley sits on the Board of Directors of several organizations including Froedtert Hospital, the Urban Ecology Center, the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, Safe & Sound, Divine Savior Holy Angels High School, the United Way Diversity Leadership Committee, and Transcenter for Youth. He has been a lecturer at both Marquette University Law School as well as the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He sits on the Supreme Court of Wisconsin’s Judicial Education Committee. He received the Leaders in the Law Award from the Wisconsin Law Journal. He was inducted into the Milwaukee Community Journal’s Academy of Legends, named one of the Philanthropic 5 by the United Way, recipient of the Dean Howard B. Eisenberg Public Service Award from Marquette University Law School, voted “Jurist of the Year” by the Justinian Society of Lawyers, Professional of the Year by ONEMKE & The United Way, named Law Enforcement Official of the Year by Safe & Sound, received the William C. Frye Civic Engagement Award from the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, was named “Milwaukeean of the ear” and “Milwaukee’s Most Trusted Public Official” by the Shepherd Express, was inducted into the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Hall of Fame, and received the Robert H. Friebert Social Justice Award from the Milwaukee Jewish Federation. Judge Mosley routinely speaks both nationally and internationally about Unconscious Bias and Black History. Also, as a kidney transplant recipient, he is an ardent supporter of Donate Life Wisconsin, the National Kidney Foundation, and Versiti (formerly the Blood Center of Wisconsin). He currently serves as a Donate Life Hollywood advisor to the television and movie industries to promote accurate depictions of organ donation and transplant on television and in movies. In his spare time,
Judge Mosley is a local Milwaukee foodie, and served as a 2022 James Beard Judge for the James Beard Foundation. Judge Mosley was recently honored by the Milwaukee Press Club with the “Headliner of the Year” Award in May.
Oneida Engineering Solutions (OES) Senior Transportation Engineer
Don Miller
Wisconsin Department of Transportation Project Manager
Doug Cain is a Project Manager with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, where he has worked for 34 years. He spent the first 8 years in construction before becoming a Project Manager overseeing design and construction projects. Doug is also working on the Reimagining WIS 175 planning study with an emphasis on reconnecting communities in the City of Milwaukee.
Board Member of WTBA | Edgerton Contractors
Eric Bertram
South Star Trucking, South Star Logistics LLC and Heritage Ready Owner
Eric Mandel Johnson is Owner of South Star Trucking, South Star Logistics LLC and Heritage Ready Mix. South Star Trucking provides dump trucking services to major road construction contractors in Southeastern Wisconsin. South Star Trucking presently has 35 quad-axle dump trucks in its fleet. In its history, South Star Trucking has hired and trained over 100 Black people to become truck drivers. Many of them have purchased their own trucks and joined the fleet.
Heritage Ready Mix supplies and delivers ready mix concrete in southeastern Wisconsin. Eric was a Staff Sargent in the United States Air Force for seven years and received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from UW-Milwaukee.
After graduation Eric was an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers for 2 years. Currently, Eric serves as Treasurer for the National Association of Minority Contractors Wisconsin Chapter (NAMC-WI) and The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People the Milwaukee Branch (NAACP). Eric is married and has 5 children and 10 grandchildren.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Division Administrator
In June 2019, Glenn Fulkerson became the Division Administrator for the FHWA Wisconsin Division. Prior to that, Glenn had served as the Assistant Division Administrator (ADA) in the Illinois Division since 2001.
Glenn began his career with FHWA in 1985. Upon completing the Highway Engineer Training Program, he was assigned to the Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division in Northern Virginia where he served as a Roadway Design Engineer, Bridge Design Engineer and as head of the Bridge Inspection Unit.
In 1996, he became the Division Bridge Engineer in the Missouri Division. Glenn has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Kentucky and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from The George Washington University. He is also a certified NHI instructor for the Conducting Effective Program Reviews (CEPR) and the Writing Effective Program Reviews (WEPR)
Project Manager at Kraemer North America
Jake has hands on experience working on complicated major structures over water. Jake recently completed construction of the Savanna Arch Bridge project that required detailed construction phasing and sequencing of work over the Mississippi River. This required detailed planning and knowledge of river flows, construction access, management and working with fluctuating river elevations, and coordination and management of commercial and recreational river navigational traffic. Jake has also managed the construction of several WisDOT structures projects including most recently the ongoing Lone Rock Bridge project over the Wisconsin River. Lone Rock is WisDOT’s first large bridge design-build project.
Michael Best Strategies LLC Senior Advisor
James is the Innovation and Technology Manger in the Division of Transportation System Development (DTSD), at WisDOT. He develops, directs and administers the Division’s Innovation Program which includes research, analyze, assessing financial impacts and benefits, and providing implementation recommendations for DTSD and partners. James develops, directs and administers the Divisions’ Technology Program and associated processes and activities including organizing and leading implementation efforts. He works with an amazing team that coordinate and lead projects that have division wide impacts, Geographical Information System (GIS), records & content management, process improvement, technology, and application support.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation DOT Engineering Chief
Jason graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 2001. He started his career in the private sector working for Earth Tech in Milwaukee overseeing WisDOT construction projects. Jason joined the Wisconsin Department of Transportation in 2007. From 2007 to 2012 he worked on the Marquette Interchange and the Local Program. From 2012 to 2022 he was the Southeast Freeways construction supervisor helping deliver the Mega/Major projects including the Zoo Interchange. Jason was promoted to the Southeast Freeways Construction Chief in December 2022. He has been the SE Region Innovation committee chairperson for the last several years. He has led efforts to pilot and implement several new tools and processes including iPads for field inspection, enhanced PS&E review, Bluebeam, DocuSign, and Box.com. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Wisconsin.
Parisi Construction President
Jeff Parisi
Construction Business Group DBE Development Director
Joseph L. Davis, Sr. is the Construction Business Group’s DBE Development Director. He desires to empower people through building solid businesses that fuel the construction industry. That passion to empower has been the driving force behind a lengthy and successful public service, law enforcement, disaster management, and construction career. He has worked on various multi-million-dollar projects and has created international relationships through creative thinking of long-term economic growth strategies.
He has vast experience in global trade, international relations, and capacity building in the construction industry. He has worked with top domestic and international architects, developers, engineers, and contractors throughout his career. But his most important passion is building existing and next generation DBE construction companies in the State of Wisconsin.
WRTP | BIG STEP
Boasting more than 22 years of experience working with diverse populations to improve awareness and opportunity, John E. Anderson II has dedicated his career to serving others. He has held the titles of Interim Associate Director, Senior Programs & Partnerships Coordinator, Apprenticeship & Training Coordinator, Information Session Facilitator, Grant/Contract Administrator, and Facilities & Operations Coordinator; each position has allowed him to play an integral role in helping others make well-informed decisions that lead to stolid career pathways and family-supporting jobs. Mr. Anderson believes that any person who is willing to work hard is capable of achieving their goals; this philosophy has informed his own approach to life. He strives to lead by example, working diligently within Workforce Development and his Community.
Mr. Anderson’s long and noteworthy career has culminated in several highlights. Mr. Anderson has built a proud and solid partnership with Bucyrus Erie to facilitate job training, placement, and retention of heavy-plate welders. He has also developed contracts with the City of Milwaukee, U.S. Department of Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Energy, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewage District, and numerous philanthropic funding entities to increase accessibility of family-sustaining careers in the trades to diverse communities. He was also the Department of Public Works Residency Preference Program certification administrator between the years of 2003-2009.
Mr. Anderson has held several offices at WRTP/BIG STEP since his start in 2012; most recently, he serves as the Programs and Partnerships Manager. Throughout his roles, Mr. Anderson has spearheaded initiatives and gained valuable experience, including:
Developing relationships with public and private sector agencies to market the WRTP/ BIG STEP services and coordinate supportive services for workers.
Collaborating with business, labor, education, government, and community organizations as well as Industry Coordinators, participants, and community partners to develop programs that improve recruitment, retention, training, and advancement of workers.
Administering the Milwaukee County Pathways to Responsible Fatherhood and Center for Self-Sufficiency Healthy Marriage/Relationship Program Grants.
Developing career marketing strategies in targeted industries for job seekers and community organizations while assisting in the identification of qualified candidates as needed to fulfill the job order process.
Coordinating pre-employment and placement activities through engagement with Industry Coordinators and facilitating participant informational and TABE testing sessions.
Providing technical assistance for our partner agencies to educate their staff about career opportunities and skill requirements
Principal, Vice President – Transportation | Mead & Hunt
John serves as the Midwest Transportation Business Unit Leader and is a Principal and Vice President at Mead & Hunt, a Wisconsin based AEC firm with offices nationwide.
• John’s professional career has spanned over 30 years and includes overseeing the development of numerous bridge and roadway projects in Wisconsin and the Midwest.
• He has served as the Chair of the ACEC-WI Board of Directors and has served as the Chair of the ACEC-WI Transportation Steering Committee and the ACEC-WI Transportation Leadership Committee.
• He has served on the WisDOT Transportation Consultant Advisory Committee as well as the ACEC-WI Government Affairs Committee
• John is the 2024-2025 Chair Elect and will be the 2025-2026 Chair of ACEC National.
• John resides in Green Bay, WI with his wife Julie. They have two adult children, Jordan, and Jacob, who live in Portland, OR and Madison, WI, respectively.
Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT)
As Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), Kristina Boardman is the chief operating officer for a state agency with more than 3,200 employees, dozens of field offices and a biennial budget of more than $8 billion. She is the first female deputy secretary at WisDOT.
Kristina previously served as the administrator of WisDOT’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which serves millions of Wisconsinites each year through in-person, phone, mail and online interactions. Under her leadership, DMV continually excelled in areas of customer service, efficiency and innovation. Some of her key accomplishments included implementing the federal REAL ID program in Wisconsin, expanding opportunities to schedule appointments at DMV service centers, and innovating an award-winning online service for customers to title and register their vehicles.
Kristina served as Chair of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) International Board of Directors for the 2022-23 federal fiscal year.
WisDOT benefits from Kristina’s 28-years of state government service, which includes 10-years as a legislative aide for the Wisconsin State Assembly before transitioning to WisDOT in 2005. Prior to becoming DMV administrator, Kristina served as DMV deputy administrator and director of DMV field services.
Kristina has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Kristina and her husband Adam live in Sun Prairie and have two adult children.
You can reach the Office of the Secretary at (608) 266-1114 or DOTExec@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association (WBTA) Director Of Engineering & Construction Policy
Matt Grove
U.S. Bank Assistant Vice President, Business Access Advisor
Micae Brown is the Assistant Vice President, Business Access Advisor for U.S. Bank. As one of nine positions nationwide, Micae addresses the three most prominent gaps that limit business growth and employment opportunities within the Black Business Community: information, connections, and capital. Micae works alongside U.S. Bank’s various business units as an advocate for Black Business owners, assisting them in navigating the banking system to ensure they are set up for success.
Micae’s finance journey started at one of the country’s largest Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI), Local Initiatives Support Corporations (LISC), within their Economic Development Small Business Lending Department and LISC Lending. Micae led the marketing team for both the small business and lending team and supported all internal and external communication efforts. Micae used her marketing and communication skills to help LISC build an infrastructure to tell the story behind the small businesses they serve. Micae developed and deployed a national marketing campaign for The Entrepreneurs Of Color Fund (EOCF).
Before her positions at LISC and U.S. Bank, Micae started a Sales agency, where she led a team of experts to help businesses across the country develop sales strategies to sell their products and services for over seven years. Through an innovative and disruptive sales model, Micae managed a portfolio of clients and developed solutions to help entrepreneurs transform and grow their businesses.
Micae served as the National Business Development Manager for the Chicago Sun-Times, specializing in advertising strategies for clients such as Comcast, Macy’s, and the Chicago White Sox. In this position, she created and hosted a revenue-generating entity called “Minority Report,” a video series that showcased Chicago’s vibrant community of minority entrepreneurs and leaders.
With significant experience in sales, marketing, and media, Micae’s mission is to help small and mid-size businesses succeed in sales and marketing. In addition, Micae’s passion for learning has led her to facilitate a weekly e-course targeted to business owners and professionals across the globe. This course covers business architecture, sales, marketing, and operations.
Micae is a seasoned media personality and previous radio host for Chicago’s WVON1690AM Talk Radio. Micae has interviewed acclaimed guests across the globe.
Micae is a Chicago native and graduate of DePaul University and the Sandler Sales Institute. She is also Hubspot Inbound Certified. When she is not connecting with business leaders or volunteering with local charities, Micae enjoys planning her next excursion and spending time with friends and family, including her Yorkshire Terriers Bentley and Studley.
Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC) Director of Lending
Michael Hetzel, Director of Lending, has over 38 years of experience in the banking industry and has served as WWBIC’s Director of Lending since 2012. He oversees WWBIC’s lending
function related to micro-loan, small business and SBA 7a underwriting; small business consulting and marketing for WWBICs 24 loan funds (including CDBG loan funds). He also
serves as WWBIC’s primary banking partner contact person for the State of WI. He oversees and works with a statewide team of five lenders who annually originate more than $10 million in
new loans. He has consistently managed WWBIC’s lending team to meet goals set by WWBIC, CDBG and other federal government loan programs for loans to low-to-moderate income
borrowers, especially women, people of color, Spanish speaking business owners and veterans. Under his leadership, the total WWBIC loan portfolio and the deployment of capital have grown
and continues to grow from 6 million in 2012 to over 26 million in 2023. Mike received a BBA from UWM and has been certified as a licensed financial counselor. Since starting his career,
Mike has worked at First Interstate Bank, Wells Fargo Bank, Firstar Bank, US Bank; Associated Bank Corporation and PNC Financial Services Group.
M Squared Engineering President & Co-Founder
Minal Hahm is the President and co-founder at M Squared Engineering with twenty-nine (29) years of experience in the civil engineering industry. She has a broad range of experience in transportation engineering, site design, and water resources. Minal has been involved in large-scale projects throughout the Midwest for multiple government agencies including WisDOT, IDOT, IL Tollway, MWRDGC, MMSD, and numerous municipalities and County Highway departments. She excels in providing fast-paced deliverables regardless of project size or complexity. As a business owner, she has successfully coached and mentored numerous small startup businesses in construction, engineering, and other retail sectors. Her experience in growing M Squared from a one-person firm to its current size has provided lots of “lessons learned” opportunities. Her passion for helping small business owners grow their companies fuels her drive to provide guidance and mentoring to ensure they remain sustainable in any economic climate.
Chisel ActionCOACH
With an extensive 17-year journey in healthcare, Monica emerged as a transformative leader, serving as the CEO of a hospital during the challenges posed by COVID-19. Currently, as an ActionCOACH partner in a vibrant community engaged with 15,000 businesses weekly, she has transitioned into a Business Coach and Trainer. Monica passionately shares wisdom to business leaders, emphasizing that work should enhance life, not consume it. Her dynamic approach creates a meaningful impact on both professional and personal spheres.
President of Mathy Construction Co. | Board Secretary of WTBA
Neil Bakke is President of Mathy Construction Company, a regional asphalt paving and aggregate supplier. Neil earned his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from North Dakota State University. He began his 32 year career in Wisconsin highway construction as a Project Manager at Monarch Paving Company, division of Mathy Construction, and also served as area manager and division manager. In 2020, he relocated to Onalaska, Wisconsin to serve as President of Mathy Construction. Neil is married with three daughters who are all UW-Madison graduates.
TLAC & NC-Region Highway Construction Skills Training (HCST) Program Director
It’s a pleasure to introduce myself as the Tribal Labor Advisory Committee (TLAC) & NC-Region Highway Construction Skills Training (HCST) Program Director.
My name is Noel Vandiver Jr, I’m an enrolled member of the Sokaogon Chippewa Tribe. After completing High School, I enrolled at North Country Heavy Equipment School in Escanaba, MI. I’ve always had an interest in operating Heavy Equipment. The follow year, I enrolled and graduated the TrANS Program. After completing the TrANS Program, I worked for a few companies, flagging and laboring. Within a few years, I changed paths to Wildland Fire Fighting. After 8 years of fighting fire through the BIA-Great Lakes Agency, and holding a management position at the Mole Lake Casino/Lodge & Conference Center, I was interested in getting back to Construction. With having a family and young kids at home, being gone on the road was not very logical at that time. Then, with the opportunity to work with the TrANS Program, I was excited to share my experiences in the industry and bring new generations into the program. Being the NC-Region HCST Coordinator this last year has been one of the most rewarding positions I’ve held. Now, working with the TLAC Program, I’m learning more each day about the program and training needs throughout the state of Wisconsin and our Tribal Nations.
As a former graduate of the TrANS Program, I am excited to bring my experience, skills, and perspective to this role. My goal is to ensure the lines of communication are open and consistent and to be responsive to the needs of our partners and participants through both programs. We will be exploring new training opportunities that our partners have expressed an interest in. Also, we will be continuing to adapt and customize our highly successful CDL training program throughout the state, so be on the lookout for upcoming class information and schedules.
Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Equal Opportunity Specialist
Paul Ndon has used his personal and career experiences to support small businesses certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) for more than 12 years at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). He is dedicated to ensuring that DBEs have access to opportunities that position them to excel on highway construction projects.
In 2012, Paul started his career with WisDOT as an Equal Opportunity Specialist for the DBE Program, learning and implementing the rules and regulations according to 49 CFR Part 26. His core mission was to ensure that all contractors and subcontractors, including DBE firms, were complying with FHWA and USDOT regulations and requirements. He focused on providing resources to DBE firms with subcontracts on WisDOT construction projects. Paul continues to use his customer service skills to help certified firms navigate processes, proposals, websites and systems. His efforts help to increase DBE firm knowledge of WisDOT operations, which in turn lead to expanded access and better performance on Wisconsin heavy highway and aeronautics construction projects.
Paul’s role as the first DBE Trucking Utilization Specialist was created to educate and support DBE-certified trucking firms working on WisDOT projects. He revised the Trucking Utilization Policy, informs all DBE trucking firms of the required documentation and assists firms with contractor compliance requirements. While a challenging role, it is also very gratifying to see the difference this support makes for small firms.
Paul also serves as the IS Business Automation Senior, managing the complexities of the Civil Rights and Compliance System (CRCS) that houses certified payroll and payment confirmation modules for all contractors. Paul provides training and walkthroughs to internal and external users of the system several times each year. He also spearheaded the implementation of the AASHTOWare Project (AWP) Civil Rights and Labor modules and will continue to be a resource for all contractors utilizing AWP.
Clearcut Solutions Concrete Sawing and Drilling Owner
Quinn’s introduction to construction came when he was 9 years old tearing down a chimney with his father on one of Milwaukee’s historic multilevel bungalows. His intrigue with construction grew from there. In 2003, Quinn joined the Laborers Union where he got his start in concrete sawing. In 2019, he decided to use his winning attitude and commitment to success from his past endeavors – which include music and mixed martial arts – to start Clearcut Solutions Concrete Sawing and Drilling.
Each year since being established, Clearcut Solutions has added a new service to provide to customers – despite the company being launched right before the pandemic. Quinn and his team are committed to providing high-quality commercial and residential service with a 100% satisfaction rating of their work.
Clearcut Solutions has several years of laudable experience and well-pleased customers on projects ranging from as large as a $330 million dollar commercial project to residential homeowners’ “Do it yourself” projects. Quinn received his Bachelor’s of Science in Business from the University of Phoenix. Fun Fact: Quinn once held the #1 Light Heavyweight Amateur Mixed Martial Arts ranking in Wisconsin and ran his own audio recording studio.
Division of Transportation System Development (DTSD) Administrator
Rebecca Burkel leads a division of more than 1,300 employees who work throughout Wisconsin overseeing the development, maintenance, and operation of the state highway system. DTSD is comprised of five regions and six bureaus. Rebecca grew up in the Green Bay area and earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Her WisDOT career began as an environmental coordinator in 1993.
She was promoted several times to managerial positions, most recently serving as deputy administrator before her 2019 appointment to administrator. Throughout her time at WisDOT, Rebecca has focused on process improvement, innovation, efficiency, and consistency of policy application among DTSD’s functional, technical and regional areas. Rebecca’s honors and achievements include honors from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognizing her efforts to help balance responsibilities for staff called away on military duties. She’s also a past honorable mention for the Virginia Hart Award, which recognizes exemplary women in state government.
WisDOT – Southeast Region Technical Services Section Chief
Reem Shahin is a Technical Services Section (TSS) Chief at WisDOT in the Southeast Region (SER). Her responsibilities include managerial functions in the development, implementation and evaluation of the important and complex policy, budgetary and organizational components related to the transportation engineering program. Other responsibilities include management of consultant services in design and construction, and quality assurance engineering services. In addition to her position at WisDOT, Reem holds also teaches at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Construction Project Management, where she fingerprints her 30 years of experience and journey with the transportation industry to engineering students.
In Reem’s previous role at WisDOT, she served as the Project Development Supervisor for the SER 3-R program, and the Connecting Highways program for the City of Milwaukee. For many years, she managed a diverse team of transportation engineers and specialists to prepare and deliver transportation projects from cradle to grave. Reem’s proven commitment over the years using project management principles and servant leadership philosophy, continues to drive resource management policies and initiatives. Her passion and strength for process improvement and building relationships has contributed immensely to the growth of internal and external stakeholder partnerships of diverse specialties.
Professor of Ethics | Viterbo University
Richard Kyte is the Endowed Professor of Ethics at Viterbo University and serves as Director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership. He is the author of several books, including An Ethical Life: A Practical Guide to Ethical Reasoning and Ethical Business: Cultivating the Good in Organizational Culture. He is a regular columnist for Lee newspapers and cohost of The Ethical Life podcast. His latest book, Finding Your Third Place, will be available in June from Fulcrum Publishing.
OBOEC Compliance Analyst
Teresa Rademacher is currently a Compliance Analyst with WisDOT Office of Business Opportunity Equity and Compliance (OBOEC). She is an experienced compliance specialist and has worked in this area since 2009. She started in the Northeast Region (Green Bay) as a contract compliance specialist on the Hwy 41 mega project and continues to handle compliance on major projects out of the NE region. In 2017, Teresa was assigned to the compliance investigations team. She has worked on revising the WisDOT trucking guidelines and on numerous trucking investigations. In early 2021 she became the Compliance Analyst for the Eastern side of the state working on EEO reviews and FHWA reports. Teresa is committed to helping companies navigate contract compliance while working on WisDOT projects.
President & CEO, Legacy Redevelopment Corporation (LRC)
Terese Caro has spent her entire 25+ year career in banking and finance working in a diverse group of financial institutions ranging from credit unions to banks and is currently serving in the nonprofit sector with Legacy Redevelopment Corporation (LRC), a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). She joined the LRC team in July 2016, bringing years of consumer and commercial lending expertise to her roles as President and Chief Executive Officer.
Over her career, Ms. Caro has astutely managed a diverse portfolio valued at over $500 million in loans and assets and developed a broad range of skills including: New Market Tax Credit transactions, risk management, mortgage lending, underwriting, financial analysis, loan restructuring, collections, quality control and compliance. As LRC’s President/CEO, she manages an $10 million loan portfolio consisting of small business, new construction/rehab and commercial/ retail real estate loans.
Previously, Ms. Caro held management roles at Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC), Seaway Bank and Trust Company, and North Milwaukee State Bank. Ms. Caro serves on several boards within the City of Milwaukee, including serving as an Executive Board Commissioner and Treasurer for the Social Development Corporation. She is also a member of the Capital Magnet Fund Loan Committee for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA).
Ms. Caro has a passion to help small businesses succeed and works closely with clients to provide the education, tools and development needed to allow them to become self-sustaining and achieve their organizational and financial goals. She earned Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degrees from Cardinal Stritch University.
Executive Director of Infrastructure Business Development | NAMC-WI
Tim serves as Executive Director of Infrastructure Business Development for the National Association of Minority Contractors – Wisconsin Chapter (NAMC-WI). In this role, Tim manages the organization’s expansion of capacity building resources, workforce development, and strategic relationship building opportunities to benefit Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Small Business Enterprises (SBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) in highway construction to achieve readiness and to deliver substantial value in participation on major infrastructure projects.
Tim is Founder and President of Tim McMurtry International LLC, a business consultancy specializing in personal development coaching and training, government affairs, multicultural outreach, business-to-business marketing and community and corporate relations. Previously, Tim served as Public Relations & Brand Manager at Employ Milwaukee, the local workforce development board serving Milwaukee County. Employ Milwaukee convenes leaders from the business, economic and workforce development, education and government sectors to develop workforce solutions that promote regional economic growth and employment for all job seekers.
Tim also serves as Associate and North Campus Pastor at World Outreach Center in Milwaukee, serves as Wisconsin State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the largest grass-roots pro-Israel advocacy group in America with over 11 million members nationwide.
Tim received his BA in Communication from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife, Cheryl, and two children.
National Bridge Practice Consultant at HNTB
Tom brings over 40 years of bridge experience, including design, inspection and construction of major bridge projects throughout the United States, including segmental concrete and cable-stayed bridges. He has participated in traditional design-bid-build, design-build, and CMGC delivery methods for projects with construction values up to $800 million. Tom has managed design teams on numerous bridge projects over navigable waterways. Tom has inspected all aspects of bridge projects from materials testing, drainage, utilities, retaining walls, miscellaneous structures, roadways, foundations, pile driving and substructure and superstructure construction. Due to his unique combination of Design Management and his extensive field experience, he frequently performs constructability reviews and quality assurance of bridge designs to develop designs and plan details with the lowest construction cost and maximum schedule efficiency.
Director for the Office of Business Opportunities and Equity Compliance
Tondra Davis is the Director of the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program (SDP), whose mission is to certify minority (MBE), woman (WBE), and service-disabled veteran-owned (DVB) businesses to give them a better opportunity to do business with the State of Wisconsin. She has proudly served in this role since 2019.
While under Tondra’s leadership, Wisconsin attained a record 6.34% diverse spend, spent a record $192M with MBE and DVB businesses, streamlined certification processes, revitalized the SDP website, grew DVB certifications by over 50%, and reached a record 1,400 certifications. Tondra recognizes the important role diverse businesses play in helping to close economic, social, health, and educational gaps in local communities, Wisconsin, and the United States. This is why she and her staff are committed to certifying diverse businesses and training them to successfully navigate the State procurement process.
Tondra has been married over 25 years to Norman Davis. They have 3 children. She is a UW-Madison Alum with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering. She received her Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certification in 2022 and is a small business owner.
