Youth apprentices, mentors recognized in 2026 Champions of Construction awards

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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.

“Congratulations to the recipients of the first annual Champions of Construction awards,” said Jason Mathwig, the industry alliance director at 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.”

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.

Kristen Vera works as a construction technology specialist working in the pipefitting trade at Tweet Garot. Her career began on the shop floor, and she earned her journeyman card in August 2019. An active instructor with UA Local 400, Vera was nominated by co-worker Ben Delcore.

“Kristen represents a new generation of construction professionals, demonstrating an exceptional blend of hands-on experience and cutting-edge technological leadership,” Delcore said.

The Rising Star award was presented by Milwaukee Tool, to honor an individual who demonstrates outstanding craftsmanship, technical ability and rapid skills growth beyond their years of experience, officials said.

Tom Gerlikovski is a sheet metal shop manager at J.F. Ahern. He has been employed at J.F. Ahern for 25 years and spent 16 years honing his craft as a sheet-metal worker in the field before being promoted in 2014. He was nominated by his supervisor, Gavin Barfknecht.

“Tom is the embodiment of craftsmanship, leadership and legacy in the construction trades. With more than 27 years in the industry, he has built a reputation not only for his exceptional technical skill, but also for his dedication to mentoring others and advancing the trade,” Barfknecht said.

The Craftsman Legacy award was presented by Nicolet Bank to recognize a construction trades industry professional with more than 25 years of experience who demonstrates exceptional skill, expertise and technical knowledge in their trade and produces work beyond industry standards, officials said.

Rod Dax is a sheet metal coordinator with 41 years in the industry, all at Tweet Garot. He oversees hiring for the largest portion of the company’s northeast Wisconsin operations. He was nominated by Delcore.

“What sets Rod apart is his unwavering commitment to workforce development and his unique ability to communicate complex sheet metal concepts in ways that resonate with learners at all levels,” Delcore said, noting Dax recruits young people for trades at high schools, career fairs and even at the grocery store.

The Excellence in Mentorship award was presented by DeWalt to recognize an individual who has worked in the trades between six and 25 years and has mentored youth, registered apprentices, industry peers or all three.