Business Digest for Aug. 14, 2015

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Kahler Slater helps feed the hungry

Architectural and interior design firm Kahler Slater spent this week giving back to the community.

Kahler Slater participated in a Day of Caring, a one-day blitz event held on the day of the company’s annual staff retreat.

During the event, members of the Milwaukee office harvested crops and washed produce at the Hunger Task Force Farm in Franklin. Employees of the Madison office harvested potatoes in Fitchburg to support Community Action Coalition’s Community Gardens program, and the firm’s Singapore office cooked, packaged and delivered meals to those in need through the Willing Hearts organization.

The partnership between Kahler Slater and those organizations will continue this fall. Several planned activities include the Madison office picking apples at an orchard in Cooksville for CAC and the Milwaukee office holding a Holiday Food Drive in November, calling on its staff, consultants, partners, vendors and their networks to donate food items for the Hunger Task Force Warehouse.

HGA hires Barker as senior human resources generalist

HGA Architects and Engineers has hired Brenda Barker as senior human resources generalist in its Milwaukee office.

Barker will focus on employee relations, recruiting and onboarding for Milwaukee employees. She will also coordinate with the firm-wide human resources group to develop human resources projects, processes, policies and procedures that support HGA’s vision across eight national offices.

MSI General adds Marshall to design department

MSI General Corp. has hired Justin Marshall as a designer within the Architectural Design department.

Marshall earned a bachelor of science, architectural studies, degree in 2010 from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning and was previously with MSI General from 2006 to 2009.

McBain joins R.A. Smith as services representative

Jeff McBain has joined Brookfield-based R.A. Smith National as a construction services representative in the construction services division.

McBain has more than 27 years of experience working in the public works construction field. He specializes in roadway and utility construction administration and management, as well as public and agency coordination. Additionally, McBain has served as a construction supervisor and manager for numerous highway and public works projects, and is experienced in leading and inspecting Wisconsin Department of Transportation construction projects.

Bradbury to lead state’s Natural History Survey

A hydrogeologist with more than 30 years of experience devoted to protecting Wisconsin’s groundwater resources has been chosen as the new head of the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, part of UW-Extension, Cooperative Extension.

Dr. Ken Bradbury has accepted the position of director and state geologist for the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey. He replaces Dr. Jamie Robertson, who retired as director after 22 years.

Bradbury will start his new role on Sept. 1.

AG Architecture names new team members

Marcia Zalenski, Alexis Crates and Kevin Storma have joined Wauwatosa-based AG Architecture.

Zalenski supports the AG marketing effort, coordinates requests for proposals and works with team members on specification documents.

Crates works on the design of multifamily projects, including layouts for apartment complexes and dorms.

Storma is responsible for design support and construction document preparation.