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:
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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.”
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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.”
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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.”
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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.
General Engineering Company is proud to announce that Ben Upward has earned his Professional Engineer credential. Ben joined GEC in May of 2014 after working in the public sector for the City of Tacoma, WA engineering department. He received his Associate of Applied Science Engineering Technician degree at Mid-State Technical College.
Mr. Upward came to GEC with a wealth of knowledge and specializes in municipal and private civil engineering. He works on stormwater management, street and utility design, grading plans, and site designs. Ben has worked on several large-scale resort projects both in and outside of Wisconsin.
Congratulations to Ben for reaching this professional achievement.
PORTAGE, WI – General Engineering Company is pleased to announce the addition of three new staff members to our Portage office. Jaime Miller is our new Accounting/Benefits Coordinator. Shane Evans is an Architectural Technician joining the building design department. Finally, Brian Youngwirth is an addition to the environmental department as a hydrogeologist. (more…)
