Always moving forward on this International Women in Engineering Day. Women in engineering are changing the pathways for current and future women. They are trailblazing through stereotypes and showcasing empowerment through their work every day.
Some of our engineering staff at GEC shared their words, thoughts, and wisdom on being a woman in the engineering field, and what they had to say was inspirational!
Get ready to be inspired!
Meet Jennifer, a project engineer here at GEC. Jennifer has been an important team member when it comes to projects and partner relationships. She has shared, “As a woman in engineering, I have found the profession to be both challenging and deeply rewarding. I enjoy collaborating with people from a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to transform their ideas and visions into reality. Knowing that the projects I help deliver have a meaningful impact on our communities and contribute to improving the lives of others is what makes this work so fulfilling.”
Another team member who contributed to her many reasons to celebrate this day and share her insights is staff engineer Mariah. Mariah brings great energy to her projects and shows enthusiasm and dedication to each one. To put it in her own words, “This year, I have been reflecting a lot on the quiet strength women carry every day, especially those in the engineering field. Engineering requires problem-solving, adaptability, patience, and resilience, and I think many women bring those qualities naturally because of everything we balance both professionally and personally. One thing I have learned is that strength doesn’t always look loud or obvious; it looks sometimes like staying composed under pressure and continuing to push through difficult projects with support and showing up every day, even when you are exhausted and overwhelmed.”
Mariah went on to say, “Being a woman in engineering has taught me to trust myself more, speak up with confidence, and to recognize I belong in every room I enter. It has also shown me the importance of perseverance to continue to grow, adapt, and push forward even in environments where you may feel underestimated or outnumbered.”
As we continue to celebrate beyond this day and over the years, we think of the many women who share in this career path. As one of our female staff engineers said, “Every woman in this industry brings a unique perspective, and that perspective strengthens engineering as a whole. I hope we continue creating space for more women to lead, innovate, and inspire the next generation to pursue careers in STEM with confidence.”
Thank you to all the women who have and are pursuing engineering paths. All of your attributes have created important impacts on our world, and the engineering field would not be the same without you.
Voices from the Field: Women in Engineering at GEC
Celebrating International Women in Engineering Day | June 23, 2025
At General Engineering Company (GEC), we are proud to recognize and celebrate the women who help shape the communities we serve, from designing solutions, driving progress, and creating spaces where life happens.
In honor of International Women in Engineering Day, Mariah and Jennifer, two of our team members, shared what this day and their work mean to them.
Mariah – Staff Engineer
“This day is a powerful reminder of the resilience, creativity, and impact women bring to the world of engineering. It’s a celebration of the trailblazers who paved the way and of all of us continuing to build, design, solve, and push forward.”
Mariah reflects on the challenges and triumphs of the past year with tight deadlines, complex projects, and the persistence required to keep showing up and solving problems. “Every tough project, every long day, and every success (big or small) adds to the foundation we are building for the future of this industry,” she says. “To all the women in engineering: Keep going. Keep growing. Keep making space for yourself and others at the table. Your work matters, and you are not alone.”
Jennifer – Project Engineer
“Engineering isn’t just about solving problems, it’s about daring to see the world not as it is, but as what it could be.”
Jennifer has spent much of her career in Site Development, designing spaces with intention, not just to function, but to serve people and communities in lasting ways. “Whether it’s a neighborhood where someone now calls home, a park where families and friends gather, or a new hotel or restaurant, you’re not just building infrastructure. You’re creating meaningful places where life happens. And that’s something truly amazing to be part of,” she says.
Jennifer reminds us that engineering is as much about creativity and connection as it is about technical expertise, and that the impact of thoughtful design reaches far beyond the drafting table.
Mariah and Jennifer’s words offer a powerful glimpse into the heart of engineering, a field where vision meets action, and where women continue to shape the future, on project at a time.
To all the women in engineering at GEC and beyond: thank you for the work you do and the example you set.
As we begin another new school year, General Engineering Company (GEC) reflects on our summer interns as they wrap up their time with us and return to their studies. We had the pleasure of hosting three interns, each bringing unique skills and acquiring new ones throughout the summer.
GEC aims to provide interns with as much hands-on experience as possible, providing them with valuable skills and knowledge to carry into their careers after graduation. Our company appreciates the fresh perspectives and ideas they contribute to our projects, fostering a collaborative environment. As we know, the summer always goes too fast, and although we are saddened to see our interns go, we know that they will take what they have learned professionally and personally beyond these office walls.
Our 2024 summer interns:
______________________________________________________
Profile 1: Lucas
Lucas interned with our survey department, where he assisted with fieldwork and data collection. This fall, he will return to Madison College to continue his studies in Civil Engineering Technology.
During his summer internship with GEC, Lucas gained new skills and deepened his understanding of the lessons from his coursework. Reflecting on his experience, he shared, “I developed many new skills that will help me along the way. I found the work very impactful and meaningful.”
One of Lucas’s responsibilities during his internship was staking locations for sidewalks and curbs before they were poured. He remarked, “There was pressure to get it exactly right, and I took that responsibility seriously to ensure it was accurate.”
When asked what advice he would offer others, Lucas said, “My advice is to always do your best and learn as much as you can, especially if you’re continuing your education.”
__________________________________________________________
Profile 2: Isabelle
Isabelle worked closely with our civil municipal team, gaining valuable experience in drafting, report writing, surveying, and more. She will be returning to UW-Madison this fall to continue her studies.
Isabelle found her internship work meaningful, particularly because of the interactions she had with local residents while on-site surveying. She enjoyed hearing their appreciation for the neighborhood improvements being made, and she felt rewarded for the positive impact she and GEC were contributing to. Throughout her internship, Isabelle worked on various aspects of projects, from collecting data for road projects to drafting plans. She said, “Seeing the project firsthand as it took shape was incredibly rewarding.” She added, “I didn’t expect the variety of work or how involved I would feel. I got to contribute to nearly every aspect of a project, which allowed me to develop far more skills than I anticipated.”
One significant takeaway from Isabelle’s internship at GEC was how much she valued seeing her work in person and connecting with the project site. She stated, “That’s something I now know I want to prioritize in my full-time career.”
What advice would Isabelle give to others? “Stay curious and eager to learn. Working closely with an experienced engineer is a huge opportunity,” she said. She also encourages others, “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you’re unsure or worried about sounding inexperienced.”
__________________________________________________________
Profile 3: Adam
Adam was stationed with our structural team, learning about designing braced walls, beams, columns, and more during the summer. He attends UW-Platteville and is about to complete his final year.
We asked Adam what he enjoyed most about his internship with GEC, and he responded, “I enjoyed having the ability to learn about what I will be taught in college prior to taking the classes and getting to meet others in the structural group.”
During his internship, Adam acquired new skills, such as working with various CAD programs, including one not currently taught in college. Reflecting on his experience, he noted, “I learned how houses are basically built, from framing and roofing to the foundation.”
Adam shared that the internship has had an influence on him and will push him to become a better engineer. Before concluding his internship, we also asked him for advice for other students considering an internship. He responded, “Try to get into an internship as soon as possible, and learn as much as possible while on the job because it will help you out down the road.”
__________________________________________________________
As we conclude, we wish Lucas, Isabelle, and Adam all the best of luck with their studies. We thank them for their contributions and impact during their time here, and the value they held this summer while interning with GEC.
Between March 15-18, 2022, professionals, suppliers, contractors, and members of Wisconsin Rural Water Association (WRWA) gathered in La Crosse for their annual Expo and Conference. During the opening session, representatives from WRWA awarded former GEC President, Jerry Foellmi, with a Lifetime Achievement award.
Jerry graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Platteville with a BS in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Environmental Engineering. He spent over 40 years of his career assisting clients at General Engineering Company. “Wastewater treatment is dynamic. I’m continuously impressed how, given the right combination of tanks, pumps, pipes and valves, operators can take waste and turn it into drinkable water and energy”, said Mr. Foellmi.
When asked about project highlights, Dekorra Wastewater Collection & Treatment came to mind as he had the opportunity to work on the project from conception in 1998 through startup in 2007 to the present. Another was the Abbyland WWTP Upgrade where he worked closely with operator Jeff Hoeper to convert an old municipal plant to a state-of-the-art, high tech, industrial plant that takes hog process waste and converts it to drinkable water and bio-fuel. WRWA has been recognizing individuals who have demonstrated excellence throughout their career in the Wisconsin water and wastewater industry, since 1989.
Since the retirement of Surveyor, Mark Carlson, PLS, GEC has acknowledged the need to continue to provide legal surveying services to our clients. Because of that, we could not be more excited to announce the recent additions we have made to our Team.
First, Dawn Horacek, Survey Project Manager, has joined the GEC team, bringing with her more than 15 years’ experience in surveying. Some of Dawn’s specialties include ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys, Major & Minor Subdivision Plats, Construction Layout Staking, Route Surveying, Control Network Analysis, Boundary & Topographic Surveys, FEMA Elevation Certificates, Mortgage Surveys, and Title Research.
Second, GEC has recently acquired Green Lake Surveying in Green Lake, WI. Don Lenz, PLS, owner of Green Lake Surveying, and his wife, Jeanne, will now be part of our General Engineering family. GLS has been in business since 1980, with Don becoming the owner in 2006. Jeanne Lenz has been working side by side with Don since 2006, and will be invaluable as we move forward.
Don has over 30 years of experience as a surveyor becoming licensed in 1989. His expertise lies in all legal surveying needs; ALTA/ACSM Land Title Surveys, Boundary Surveys, Certificate of Survey Maps, Certified Survey Maps, Subdivision Plats, and Condominium Plats.
Mr. Lenz has won several awards from the Statewide Mapping Contest held by the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors. He is a member of the Wisconsin Society of Land Surveyors, the Society of Southeastern Wisconsin Land Surveyors (Milwaukee Chapter Past President), and the American Congress of Surveying and Mapping. Don also serves as a Green Lake County Board Supervisor and the Green Lake County Land Surveyor.
We look forward to being able to serve our GEC clients, and now our Green Lake Surveying clients, with our surveying and engineering services for years to come.
General Engineering Company congratulates our newest Professional Engineer, Jim Nellessen. Nellessen joined GEC in early 2015 after graduation from UW-Platteville. He works in the structural engineering department and has proficiency in beam, column, and foundation designs for both residential and commercial projects.
Jim has worked on a variety of projects including a high school addition, dam rehabilitations, commercial truss designs, waterslide tower designs and inspections, adventure course structure designs and inspections, building foundation analyses, and retaining wall designs.
