The New North: 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.”
