Minority Labor & Employment

An informative discussion about Minority Labor & Employment within the commercial construction industry.

October 30, 2018

The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts

929 N. Water St., Milwaukee

PANEL

Willie Wade – CEO – Employ Milwaukee

Willie Wade is the president and CEO of Employ Milwaukee and a former city of Milwaukee alderman. In his current role, he works closely with companies, job-seekers, community- and faith-based organizations, education partners, developers, chambers of commerce and economic development organizations to create jobs and connect Milwaukeeans to jobs and career opportunities throughout the area. He is a member of many boards, including the Century City Redevelopment Corp.; the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District; Near West Side Partners; the Regional Transit Leadership Council; SEWRPC; and the U.S. Water Alliance, Water Equity Task Force.

John Swan III – Business Agent – Laborers Local 113

John Swan III is the president, business agent and district council delegate at LiUNA Laborers Local 113 based in Milwaukee. He is also a board member of the Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO.

Swan III was born and raised in Milwaukee and became a member of Laborers International Union of North America, Local No. 113, in 1997 working as a laborer apprentice. He has been an active member of Local 113 for more than 20 years and is also co-chair of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District.

Joan Zepecki – Diversity and Community Outreach Coordinator – Hunzinger Construction Co.

Joan Zepecki has worked at Hunzinger Construction Co. for 24 years as its diversity and community outreach coordinator. The company has more than $365 million in contracts awarded directly to minority, women, small or disadvantaged firms. Before joining Hunzinger, Zepecki served as the executive director of the Historic Third Ward
Association in Milwaukee, where for eight years she led its redevelopment, including the coordination of the image changing streetscape project and Milwaukee Street Parking
Structure that sparked the transformation of the area. She has also worked with WRTP/BIG STEP and Prism Technical to collaboratively create new workforce programs for Hunzinger’s clients.

Tim Brown – Organizer – Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers

Tim Brown is the vice president of the Skilled Trades Collaborative, recording secretary for the Milwaukee Area Labor Council, trustee with Local 8 Bricklayers, an active member of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and a certified Multi Core Craft Curriculum Trainer, opening doors through curriculum to all unionized trades to high school students and adults.

Brown spent his entire childhood in the 53206 Zip Code. With the highest incarceration rate in the country, he would rise above challenges to graduate from Custer High school, ranking No. 4 in his class. With a passion and history for working with his hands, he applied for carpentry positions in Milwaukee County. After one disappointing rejection after another an opportunity to become a bricklayer was presented.  In May 2000 he was inducted as an apprentice with the Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers of Wisconsin.

Jeb Meier – Vice President of Preconstruction – Greenfire Management Services

Jeb Meier is Vice President of Preconstruction at Greenfire Management Services, a Milwaukee-based construction management firm owned by the Potawatomi Business Development Corporation. He oversees all project pricing and budget development. He also plays a significant leadership role at Greenfire and is actively involved in strategic planning, visioning, operations, business development, and hiring. 

As one of the fastest growing minority-owned businesses in southeastern Wisconsin, Greenfire is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, hiring residents of the city and contracting with dozens of minority-owned enterprises and small businesses to support growth in the community.

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LUNCH SPONSOR

BOOTH SPONSORS

To learn about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Susan Berna at (414) 225-1830 or [email protected]

Contact Christy Peterson at (414) 225-1830 or by email.