Celebrating Excellence: 2026 JM Team Award Winners

From left: Prashant Chavan, Nick Ockwig, Lilantha Wijayapala, Faith Vander Velde, Stacy Stephanus, Christina Yang

Fall Training Day is an opportunity for the JM Team to come together, learn, connect, and continue building on the values that make our organization strong. It is also a chance to recognize the people who bring those values to life every day.

Building on the awards given out at the S.C. Swiderski All Company Annual Meeting, The JM Team brings these honors a bit closer to home. This year, six team members were recognized with JM Team Awards for the contributions they make to our company, their coworkers, and the work we do together.

Gold Standard: Nick Ockwig

The Gold Standard Award recognizes someone who consistently demonstrates excellence and sets a high standard through the quality of their work and approach.

Congratulations to Nick for receiving this year's Gold Standard Award and for demonstrating the level of excellence we strive for as a team.

Rock Solid: Prashant Chavan

Every successful organization needs people others know they can count on. The Rock Solid Award recognizes dependability, consistency, and a strong commitment to the team.

Congratulations to Prashant for being someone who helps create a strong and dependable foundation for the JM Team.

The Pillar: Christina Yang

The Pillar Award recognizes someone whose contributions help support the organization and those around them who acts honestly and professionally while demonstrating integrity and accountability. They are a steady presence who helps strengthen the team and contributes to our shared success.

Congratulations to Christina for being an important pillar of the JM Team.

The Connector: Faith Vander Velde

Great work happens when people communicate, collaborate, and build strong relationships an employee who develops community and works with others fairly and respectfully. The Connector Award recognizes someone who brings people together and helps strengthen connections across the organization.

Congratulations to Faith for helping foster the relationships and collaboration that keep our team moving forward.

Forward Thinker: Lilantha Wijayapala

Growth requires people who are willing to look ahead, explore new ideas, and challenge the organization to continue improving, who have the ability to identify opportunities for improvement and implement solutions that create a lasting impact. The Forward Thinker Award recognizes that innovative and future-focused mindset.

Congratulations to Lilantha for helping the JM Team think about what is possible and how we can continue evolving.

JM Team Employee of the Year: Stacy Stephanus

The JM Team Employee of the Year Award is new this year and was created specially for Stacy Stephanus who received nomination in all award categories so we needed to recognize her for the overall contributions, dedication, and commitment which has made a meaningful impact throughout the year.

Congratulations to Stacy, our 2026 JM Team Employee of the Year!

Celebrating the People Behind Our Success

Our Fall Training Day reminds us that our success is built by people who show up, collaborate, solve problems, support one another, and continually look for ways to improve.

Congratulations to Stacy, Nick, Prashant, Christina, Faith, and Lilantha on these well-deserved recognitions. Thank you for the unique strengths you bring to the JM Team and for helping make our organization stronger.

We are proud to celebrate you!

Celebrating our 2026 Mentorship Excellence Award Winners Ali Menebroeker and Dennis Ware

At S.C. Swiderski (SCS), success is about more than individual accomplishments. It is about the people who share their knowledge, support their teammates, step up when challenges arise, and help others reach their full potential. Strong mentorship builds stronger teams, strengthen our organization, and creates a culture where people feel encouraged to learn, grow, and succeed.

The Mentorship Excellence Award celebrates individuals who embody these qualities. This year, we recognize Ali Menebroeker, Area Property Manager and Dennis Ware, Site Superintendent II for the meaningful ways they invest in their colleagues, lead by example, and contribute to the success of those around them.

Although their SCS journeys are different, both recipients demonstrate that mentorship is not limited to a formal title or role. It is reflected in everyday actions. a willingness to help, and a genuine commitment to see others succeed.

Ali Menebroeker: Leadership and Knowledge Sharing

With nine years at SCS, Ali Menebroeker manages our largest area as an Area Property Manager. Her impact goes beyond her own portfolio: she is a trusted resource for the next generation of Property Managers, helping new team members build the knowledge, confidence, and skills to succeed.

Throughout her time at SCS, Ali has taken countless colleagues under her wing. She shares her experience, offers guidance, answers difficult questions, and leads by example. Her nominator says, “The people she has mentored carry pieces of what they have learned from her into their own teams and properties, creating a ripple effect throughout our organization.”

This ripple effect is what makes Ali’s mentorship especially meaningful. By helping others become stronger leaders, she contributes to the development of people and teams throughout SCS. Her legacy is not measured solely by what she accomplishes herself, but also by the success of those she has helped along the way.

Dennis Ware: Encouragement, Resilience, and Teamwork

In just over three years at SCS, Dennis Ware has continued to learn, grow, and challenge himself. What distinguishes Dennis is not simply his personal development, but the way he supports others, particularly when his team faces challenges.

When projects encounter obstacles or progress becomes difficult, Dennis steps up to help rally the team and keep everyone moving forward. He brings encouragement to challenging moments, recognizes the accomplishments of his teammates, and helps create an environment where people feel supported and motivated to succeed.

Dennis understands that effective leadership is not about having every answer. “He leads not because he has all the answers, but because he is willing to learn, willing to help, and willing to stand beside his team when they need him,” according to his nomination.

That mindset captures the heart of mentorship. Dennis demonstrates that leadership can be expressed through encouragement, perseverance, and a genuine belief in the people around you. By celebrating others' wins and helping teammates navigate difficult moments, he contributes to a positive team culture where people can learn from challenges and recognize their progress.

Mentorship in Action: Bringing Our Values to Life

Ali and Dennis demonstrate mentorship in different but equally important ways. Ali's impact is seen in the knowledge and leadership she passes on to colleagues in the organization. Dennis's impact is evident in the encouragement, resilience, and team spirit he brings to challenging moments. Mentorship connects to our company values. It helps transform individual experience into shared knowledge, personal growth into team progress, and everyday acts of support into lasting organizational impact.

Congratulations to Ali and Dennis on receiving the 2026 Mentorship Excellence Award. Thank you for the ways you invest in our people, strengthen our teams, and bring SCS's values to life. Your example demonstrates that when we help one another grow, we build a stronger organization together.

Celebrating our 2026 Rookie of the Year Award Winners Doug Bauer and Gary Buse

At S.C. Swiderski (SCS), success is about more than getting the job done. It is about the people who make a difference, the relationships they build, and the values they bring to work every day. Our Rookie of the Year Award celebrates team members who make an immediate and meaningful impact, embrace opportunities to learn, and demonstrate the attitudes and behaviors that make our company stronger.

This year we recognize Doug Bauer, Area Maintenance Manager and Gary Buse, Site Superintendent as our 2026 Rookie of the Year recipients. Although they joined SCS in different roles and brought different experiences to the table, both have demonstrated initiative, commitment, and a genuine desire to help our teams succeed.

Doug Bauer: Taking Ownership and Making an Impact

Doug Bauer stepped into a brand-new role at SCS this year as our Area Maintenance Manager, embracing the challenges of establishing a position while learning the people, properties, and processes that make our organization work.

Starting a new role comes with a learning curve, especially when the position itself is new to the company. Doug approached that challenge with a positive attitude, curiosity, and a willingness to take initiative. He quickly became someone our teams could rely on, brining energy and a genuine desire to improve things wherever he saw an opportunity. “He saw opportunities, asked questions, built relationships, and stepped up to help,” shared one of his nominators.

What sets Doug apart is that he did not wait for every detail of his role to be defined before getting started. He asked questions, built relationships, identified opportunities, and stepped up to help. Through his ownership and commitment, Dough has already demonstrated the value his role brings to SCS.

Doug’s contributions demonstrate that leadership is not limited to established roles or long-standing processes. It also means recognizing opportunities, taking responsibility, and helping create something better for the entire organization.

Gary Buse: Sharing Experience and Building Others Up

Gary Buse may be a rookie at SCS, but he is certainly no rookie when it comes to construction. As our Site Superintendent, Gary brought a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the team and quickly established himself as a valuable resource in the field.

From day one, Gary has demonstrated a willingness to jump in, share his expertise, and support those around him. What make his contributions especially meaningful is his commitment to helping others grow. Rather than keeping his knowledge to himself, Gary takes the time to answer questions and offer guidance. One nominator says, “He is incredibly supportive of the younger and less experienced member of our team, taking time to answer questions, offer guidance, and help other learn from his experience.”

Gary’s steady presence and collaborative approach reflect an understanding that success is not just about completing a project. It is also about building the knowledge, confidence, and capabilities of the people working alongside him.

Gary exemplifies the importance of sharing knowledge, investing in others, and recognizing that a strong team is built when people are willing to help one another succeed.

The Impact that Lasts

The Rookie of the Year Award recognizes more than a successful first year. It celebrates the people who help shape our workplace through their everyday actions, their willingness to contribute, and the example they set for others.

Doug Bauer and Gary Buse have each made a meaningful impact in a short amount of time. Doug demonstrates what can happen when initiative and willingness to learn meet opportunity, while Gary reminds us of the value of experience shared generously.

Congratulations to Doug and Gary on being named S.C. Swiderski’s 2026 Rookie of the Year award recipients.

Thank you both for the knowledge, energy, commitment, and team spirit yo bring to SCS. We are grateful to have you on our team and look forward to seeing the continued impact you will make in the years ahead.