Mark Kessenich Appointed CEO of the Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee

The AGC of Greater Milwaukee Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Kessenich to serve as the new Chief Executive Officer of the association. After a lengthy and intensive search, we are thrilled to have landed Mr. Kessenich who brings the knowledge, skills, and passion to lead the Association and drive our industry toward greater success. Mr. Kessenich steps down from his role at WRTP/BIG STEP where he has served as President & CEO for the past six years and built it into one of the leading workforce organizations in the nation. In working intimately with leaders from the contracting community, labor unions, and apprenticeship programs he brings key relationships and extensive experience that AGC-GM will build on. His tenure is set to begin mid-June after stepping down from WRTP/BIGSTEP on June 5, 2020.

“The Association plays a critical role in advancing the interests of our members and the entire industry and we are excited to have Mark. He will bring great leadership to the AGC-GM, and we are excited to have his strong commitment to innovation, integrity, and excellence,” said Mike Abuls, (CG Schmidt, Inc.), President of AGCGM.

In July of 2019, Tom Barrett (City of Milwaukee Mayor) appointed Mr. Kessenich to be Interim President and CEO of Employ Milwaukee—Milwaukee County’s Workforce Development Organization. Mr. Kessenich briefly interrupted his tenure at WRTP/BIGSTEP in the wake of an unexpected leadership departure at Employ Milwaukee, and stepped in to provide the stabilizing leadership needed until they could identify a replacement. Mr. Kessenich returned to WRTP/BIGSTEP in March 2020.

Mr. Kessenich succeeds Mike Fabishak who announced his retirement in September 2019. We applaud the incredible work of Mr. Fabishak. “Fabishak has contributed over 20 years of achievement on behalf of the AGC and its membership. His work
ethic, command of complex issues/relationships and devotion to the construction industry and community at large have been exemplary,” said Jeremy Shecterle, (J.P. Cullen & Sons, Inc.), Immediate Past President of the AGC.

“It’s a great selection for the Association, and it’s a pleasure to be able to confidently pass the torch to Mark. He brings extensive experience in workforce development, organizational management, strategic planning, financial management, public affairs as well as marketing & public relations which positions him to hit the ground running,” said Mike Fabishak.

“I want to thank the Board and Association members for the opportunity to lead the organization at this critical time. I understand the importance and value the AGC brings to the industry and look forward to leading with a vision for the future, a passion for our work, and a commitment to being the most informed, strategic, and valuable organization in the construction industry,” said Mr. Kessenich.

As Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kessenich will play a critical role in helping the Association adapt to significant changes in the construction industry. He will champion the prioritization of new construction technologies, promote proconstruction public policy efforts, establish partnerships to promote increased diversity and inclusion, work to align multiple workforce development initiatives, foster union/management cooperation, and expand education and training programs that advance safety and excellence in the construction industry.

Mr. Kessenich is an Alpha Kappa Delta Honor Society graduate with a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and serves as an advisor to Construction Labor Management Council of SE Wisconsin, and as an appointed member of the WI Bureau of Apprenticeship Advisory Council, and National Skills Council – National Advisory Panel on Work-Based Learning.

The Associated General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee is a commercial construction trade association established in 1912 that serves over 300 commercial general contractors, subcontractors and suppliers in Southeastern Wisconsin.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.