From recession to prosperity, Schmidt leads the way

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Rick Schmidt is continuing his family legacy in Wisconsin construction as he leads CG Schmidt through its 100th year in business.

Schmidt served on the Milwaukee-based company’s board of directors for 10 years before being asked to join the company as president and CEO in 2006. Before that, Schmidt had been vice president and regional manager of Payne and Dolan and oversaw the company’s operations in Wisconsin and northern Illinois.

During Schmidt’s time at CG Schmidt, the company has continued to thrive, building various prominent projects in the Milwaukee area, including the Milwaukee Art Museum Calatrava addition, the Milwaukee Public Market, Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital and the Northwestern Mutual Towers and Commons.

Schmidt lists the $450 million Northwestern Mutual project as one of the most distinguished of his career, not only because of its contribution to Milwaukee’s skyline but also because of the complexities of the project and its role in spurring further development.

“A lot of people said that it couldn’t be done and we got it done,” Schmidt said.

Mike Abuls, CG Schmidt chief operating officer, credited Schmidt for his work to promote inclusion and diversity in construction. This can be seen in the company’s mentor and protégée relationships with JCP Construction and Amigo Construction, its self-directed diversity program and its work with small and disadvantaged contractors, suppliers and other partners.

“He’s someone who’s really been a champion of growing our industry,” Abuls said.

Schmidt also helped lead the company through the last recession. That experience, he said, brought about some big changes, including an extension into other parts of the state, the streamlining of various internal processes and the adoption of new technology.

Schmidt said he and his colleagues contended with a shortage of new projects during those years by drawing heavily on employees’ ideas and knowledge.

“It was a really tough time for us, but I think we came out stronger than we went in,” Schmidt said.