How a full-circle career move is helping CornerStone One expand HVAC services to NE Wisconsin

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They say life is cyclical, and that’s certainly the case in business too. From industry trends and market drivers to fiscal years and project cycles, every end seems to have a new beginning.

And when Jessica Peeters joined CornerStone One (then, CornerStone Plumbing) as a Project Manager Intern in 2005, she had no idea that her path would bring her back to the company 20 years later to spearhead a whole new beginning.

Since its founding in 2003, CornerStone One has grown to become the only contractor in Eastern Wisconsin offering commercial plumbing, HVAC, wastewater treatment, earthwork, site utilities, engineering and facility service solutions. With the demand for HVAC rising fast, Brookfield-based CornerStone One answered the call by establishing its own Mechanical Division in Oshkosh, WI, delivering localized, reliable and affordable services to the surrounding region. The final challenge was identifying the right leader to guide this new division. CornerStone One Founder, Steve Adkins, knew just who to call.

“Steve called and asked if he could buy me a cup of coffee,” Peeters recalls. “It didn’t hit me at first that he wanted me for the role. I came with a list of names to recommend to him. He had a smirk on his face and told me, ‘I want you for this position. I came here for you.’”

Peeters accepted the role, drawing on her accomplishments and experiences to guide the division ahead. She graduated from MSOE with a degree in architectural engineering, specializing in HVAC and plumbing. Throughout her professional career, she developed expertise in engineering, project management and leadership roles.

“Jessica is so incredibly smart and a go-getter. We’re lucky to have her,” Adkins said. “With her passion, experience and foresight, I have no doubt she will guide the HVAC Mechanical Division to remarkable achievements.”

While CornerStone One is expanding into Northeast Wisconsin, the area is home turf for Peeters. Growing up in Plymouth, WI, Peeters was no stranger to hard work, whether she was helping with her family’s projects or working on a local farm. She gained early experience in the trades by assisting her family in flipping houses, while her father also worked as a building inspector. In many ways, she didn’t just learn about the trades—she was raised in them. That deep-rooted connection to the region and the company makes her return even more meaningful.

As Peeters puts it, “It feels really good to be coming back to where I started, having the opportunity to mentor and inspire people to produce their best work, bringing CornerStone One to a whole new level.”

Peeters will be wearing many hats in her new role, all to make CornerStone One HVAC Mechanical Division a success. She’ll be working with leadership to expand the markets into Northeast Wisconsin, giving commercial and industrial owners access to highly skilled HVAC solutions and providing faster, more responsive service.

What began as an internship has come full circle into a career-defining leadership role for Peeters, reminding us that cycles of life and business don’t just repeat—they evolve.

For more information on projects and services, contact CornerStone One at 262.896.9006 to learn how we are the right partner for your HVAC service and project needs.