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.
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.
