Public Relations
I have developed and executed strategies to enhance brand visibility for Consolidated, its clients, and vendor partners by writing and distributing 15 press releases and six media advisories. Additionally, I have coordinated 10+ public speaking engagements, including at groundbreaking ceremonies and trade show breakout sessions. Each opportunity pertained to a variety of audiences. These experiences have further developed my ability to strategically craft messages tailored to provided objectives, whether through written communications, public speaking, or visual aids.
Written & Distributed 25 Press Releases
Written & Distributed 9 Media Advisories
Local Construction Company Raises $43,000 for Children’s Miracle Network at Annual Company Meeting
(May 6, 2025) Green Bay, WI – What was once a casino night social following Consolidated Construction Company’s annual company training has blossomed into something far more impactful: an employee-driven initiative centered on giving back to local non-profit organizations.
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The internal event, named “Consolidated for a Cause,” showcased the collective power of 120 employees united around a common mission. Each team member found their own way to contribute. While some leveraged 45 long-standing business partnerships to bring in sponsorships, others supported the cause by donating raffle baskets and participating in raffles, games, and event activities. Many did both.
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The effort led to a powerful outcome: $43,796.57 raised for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Before the fundraising begins, team members shape the campaign by nominating and voting on causes that hold personal significance. This year, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals was chosen from Consolidated team member Melissa after she shared her heartfelt story about her family’s experience with the organization’s life-saving care. Her narrative resonated deeply, inspiring company-wide support in the unified effort to help families in need.
“We are incredibly proud of our team members for rallying behind an amazing cause to give back to their local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Michelle Rueckl, Vice President of Human Resources at Consolidated Construction. “This event’s success is a direct outcome from their leg work. Without them, we have zero donations, sponsors, or funds raised. Watching our employees and partners come together with such purpose is nothing short of inspiring.”
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A check presentation to Children’s Miracle Network took place in Appleton today. The funds will be directed to three hospitals, each chosen based on the proximity of Consolidated’s three offices: Children’s Wisconsin (Wauwatosa, WI), Sanford Children’s Hospital (Sioux Falls, SD), and Sanford Children’s North Dakota (Bismarck, ND). The company plans to continue the “Consolidated for a Cause” tradition in the future, with each year benefiting a new charity.
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Figure 1: Consolidated Construction Company presents a donation check to Children’s Wisconsin during a celebratory handoff ceremony, one of three Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals benefiting from the $43,796.57 raised through “Consolidated for a Cause.”
Figure 3: Pam Talavera, President of Consolidated Construction, reading the name of a lucky raffle basket winner during the “Consolidated for a Cause” fundraising event.
Figure 2: Consolidated Team members and supporters gather at 2025 “Consolidated for a Cause” fundraiser.
Midwest Refrigerated Services Opens Regional Distribution Center, Optimizing Lactalis USA’s Midwest Logistics Network
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(February 27, 2025) Belvidere, IL – Midwest Refrigerated Services (MRS), Lactalis USA and Consolidated Construction Company cut the ribbon to officially open a 200,000-square foot distribution center in Belvidere, Ill. on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The facility, owned and operated by MRS, will optimize Lactalis USA’s Midwest logistics network to meet its current and future growth by operating as a central site to service all customers in the region. The distribution center sits on an 83-acre site that is served by Union Pacific Railroad and provides more than 36,000 pallet positions of refrigerated storage with state-of-the-art layer picking technology. This facility will receive product from ten Lactalis production facilities across the U.S. and several domestic co-manufacturer facilities, along with imported product from Europe. It’s MRS’ second location in the Belvidere market and creates 85 new jobs.
“The Midwest team is excited to add this new facility to our network, said Mike Pokel, President of Midwest Refrigerated Services. “We are humbled and honored by the confidence Lactalis has shown in selecting us for this important project. This state-the-art facility will anchor the Belvidere site and is a significant step forward in our growth plans. Special thanks to Mayor Morris and his staff at the City of Belvidere in supporting us throughout this process.”
Lactalis USA is a subsidiary of Lactalis, the world’s largest dairy company, headquartered in Laval, France with production facilities in 51 countries worldwide, and offers an unrivaled house of beloved brands in the U.S. including Galbani®, Président®, Kraft® brands in natural and grated cheeses, Stonyfield Organic® and others.
“Lactalis continues to grow in the U.S. and has added seven manufacturing locations since 2017,” said Sri Adapa, vice president, supply chain, Lactalis USA. “To accommodate this accelerated growth, we need an optimized logistics network with a location in the center of the country that increases our efficiencies and streamlines order fulfillment for our customers in the Midwest. This allows customers to receive a single shipment of products that originate from multiple production locations in the U.S., when it would have required multiple shipments in the past.”
Consolidated Construction Company, headquartered in Appleton, WI, and longtime partner of MRS, was the design-build contractor for this facility. “We have worked with Consolidated for more than 30 years and we certainly appreciate and value the partnership,” Pokel added. “They are integral to this project’s success and have worked diligently from beginning to end to help get us to this milestone within the communicated schedule.”
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Figure 1: Mike Pokel and Matt Pomeroy cutting the ribbon at the new 200,000 Square Foot Belvidere Regional Distribution Facility.
Consolidated Construction Company Awarded ABC WI Project of the Year
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APPLETON, WI (01/24/2025) – On Thursday, January 16th, Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin awarded the 2024 Project of the Year to Consolidated Construction Company for their innovative project that takes the next step into the future of retail. In addition to Project of the Year, the store also took home the ABC Projects of Distinction Gold award as well.
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This award-winning project in Minot, ND—operated by Enerbase Cooperative Resources—is the Midwest’s first store to feature Amazon's groundbreaking "Just Walk Out" technology, with the nearest equivalent 12 hours away in Denver. Designed and built by Consolidated Construction, the facility boasts 233 precision-placed cameras, a multi-payment entry system, modern restrooms, staff offices, spacious storage, and temperature-controlled coolers and freezers.
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In the past, employees were hired to stand behind a checkout counter, but the new Minot store features technology to perform those mundane tasks. Enerbase employees now provide true customer service. Smiling faces. Washing windshields. Pumping gas. Checking tire pressure. This exceptional old-fashioned service, once seemingly extinct, made possible by this modern technology and may inspire other retail stores to consider this shift.
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This innovative project was awarded Project of the Year despite some stiff competition, which entailed 43 projects evaluated on safety, craftsmanship, execution, scheduling, overcoming challenges, owner satisfaction, and overall distinction. A panel of 23 industry experts assessed each submission using rigorous criteria.
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“We know that our member companies do excellent work. The Projects of Distinction awards highlight the breadth of their skills and craftsmanship,” said Kelly Tourdot, president of Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin. “It is notable that safety also plays a key role in the awards rankings. Once again, merit shop companies have demonstrated an exceptional level of safety, while building incredible projects.”
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The Projects of Distinction Awards are designed to celebrate the best construction projects built by ABC of Wisconsin’s members. Judges base their scores on the safety record of each project first, then evaluate the other features of each project. Wisconsin’s Gold Award recipients are eligible to compete in ABC National’s Excellence in Construction Awards.
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Figure 1: Representatives from Consolidated Construction Company and Enerbase Cooperative accept the Project of the Year Award at ABC’s Projects of Distinction Award Banquet
Figure 2: An aerial drone shot of Enerbase Cooperative Resources Cenex Store, which is Dakota’s first and only Just Walk Out store
Figure 3: The Amazon Just Walk Out feature