Youth apprentices, mentors recognized in 2026 Champions of Construction awards
Four skilled trades professionals in northeast Wisconsin were recognized for their hard work and technical mastery by a local construction association.
The Northeast Wisconsin Construction Alliance, an association of construction employers led by New North Inc., on Tuesday announced the initial recipients of the 2026 Champions of Construction awards. The awards recognize individuals who make an impact on the regional construction industry, officials said.
The initial winners were:
- Machaela Mader of Miron Construction for Youth Apprentice of the Year
- Kristen Vera of Tweet Garot for the Rising Star Award
- Tom Gerlikovski of J.F. Ahern for the Craftsman Legacy Award
- Rod Dax of Tweet Garot for the Excellence in Mentorship Award
Awards will be presented at the NEW Construction Alliance annual meeting on Jan. 14, 2026. Winners were selected from a pool of nominees in crafts and construction trades across New North‘s 18-county region who are employed by a NEWCA investor company.
Mader is a virtual construction youth apprentice at Miron Construction and a senior at Kimberly High School. She has worked at Miron for one year and eight months and was nominated by co-worker Kacie Hokanson. Hokanson said Mader was an exceptional team member.
“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,” Hokanson added.
The Youth Apprentice of the Year award was presented by AGC of Wisconsin to recognize a recent spring high school graduate or second-year youth apprentice starting their senior year, officials said.
