Friede & Associates Continues To Grow!
Friede & Associates has recently welcomed several new members to our team! Estimator Justin Sornsin, Estimator & Pre-Construction Services Manager Dillon Kieffer, Project Manager Stephanie Walczak, and Reedsburg High School's construction apprenticeship program graduates, Sheldon Craker and Jacob Weber are all incredible additions to our team!
Estimator Justin Sornsin joined what he likes to call the “Friede Force” in 2021 after pitstops spent in local government, management, engineering, and finance. As an estimator, he’s “the man behind the man", making all the numbers work for a project before it begins. He likes to say that he’s been “combining Cadillac dreams and Kia budgets since 2015." Justin enjoys the culture at Friede, which includes a great work/life balance, as well as the chance to work on interesting projects that embody Friede’s "We Do Weird Well" spirit.
Growing up in Rockford, Illinois as the son of a general superintendent prepared him for a career in construction. What he finds most challenging about his role is balancing the needs and wants of clients, especially in the last few years of highly escalating project costs and market volatility. Throw in the curveball of architects with a high degree of design flare and it creates an interesting dynamic for an estimator to bring projects to fruition to meet owner cost expectations.
Outside the office, Justin spends time kayaking and fishing with his two sons, Griffin and Silas. He also spent six years as a "professional" whitewater raft guide and safety kayaker in his 20s. Now he’s “just a middle-aged bald guy with a lot of crazy stories and too many boats.”
Estimator & Pre-Construction Services Manager Dillon Kieffer joined the Friede team in early 2022. After spending some time in the healthcare construction market, Dillon is now responsible for managing the Owner and Design Teams as they relate to the budget, scope of work, risk, and project schedule. Every project starts as an idea and opportunity for a client to expand their services or market presence. In order for them to understand their ROI, they rely on the Friede team to build (and manage) a budget based on their space requirements and desired functions of the project. As the design progresses and more information is shared about their needs and available funding, Dillon manages the design to meet their expectations and ensure the project documents are reflective of the project’s requirements so that their vision can be built. He has always been great at math and understanding how things are built. Applying his skills and knowledge about the industry to help owners build their vision is exciting!
Dillon holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Management with a Minor in Business Administration from UW-Platteville. He’s also OSHA 30 and WHEA Healthcare Construction certified. When he’s not in the office, he’s spending time with his two young boys in the outdoors. They love fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, sporting events, and going to see a movie if the weather is uncooperative. Dillon also enjoys working around his house, riding his motorcycle, or cheering (by default) for the Packers, Badgers, and Brewers.
Project Manager Stephanie Walczak
Project Manager Stephanie Walczak is the most recent addition to the Friede team, joining us in August. She was born and raised in Madison Wisconsin, graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater with a General Business degree with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship. At 15 years old, Stephanie assisted in her family business renting and turning over downtown apartments and eventually helped with remodeling, maintenance, and leasing of large multi-family complexes and commercial properties. During her senior year of high school, she joined Operation Fresh Start and participated in the construction of low-income housing for the Madison community.
As a Project Manager at Friede & Associates, she assists owners and clients in the planning, management, and completion of their projects. Stephanie enjoys visualizing a project and making it come to life. She says, “There is nothing more satisfying than assisting a member of the community in making their visions and dreams go from paper to reality.” She always enjoys a challenge and loves to solve problems that may seem insurmountable.
Outside of the office, you’ll find Stephanie enjoying time with her husband, working on home projects, gardening, and rooting for the Badgers and Brewers.
Reedsburg High School Construction Apprenticeship Graduates Sheldon Craker & Jacob Weber
In addition to the three office staff members featured above, Friede has also added half a dozen carpenters and skilled tradesmen to the team. Friede & Associates has also been instrumental in helping create Reedsburg High School's construction apprenticeship program and we are happy to welcome the first two graduates, Sheldon Craker and Jacob Weber, to the team. Fun fact: Sheldon and Jacob are the sons of two other Friede employees—Superintendent Dennis Craker and General Superintendent & Safety Director Pat Weber! Please help us welcome our new employees to the Friede team!
