Iconica named a 2026 Top Workplace for fifth year in a row

Iconica Named a 2026 Top Workplace for the Fifth Year in a Row

Iconica has been named a 2026 Top Workplace by the Wisconsin State Journal, marking our fifth consecutive year receiving this recognition.

What makes this award meaningful is simple: it comes entirely from employee feedback. Results are based on a confidential third-party survey conducted by Energage, an employee engagement technology partner. The survey measures core themes of the employee experience, including feeling respected and supported, enabled to grow, and empowered to execute.

Employee Survey Results: What Our Team Is Saying

This year’s results reflect a culture we are proud to keep building together:

• 93% of employees would recommend working at Iconica
• 95% say their supervisors support their learning and growth
• 98% say they have the flexibility to balance work and personal life
• 93% feel included and believe new ideas are encouraged

These results represent more than metrics. They reflect a workplace built on trust, support, and opportunities for people to grow and do meaningful work. As Leann Paull-Anderson, a Project Assistant at Iconica for the past 10 years, shared:

“A great workplace is a mix of teamwork, support, and coworkers who make the day more fun. Lucky to be part of a place like that!”

Why a Top Workplace Culture Matters in Design-Build

Iconica is a fully integrated design-build firm that provides architecture, engineering, and general contracting as a coordinated team or as separate services. We’ve worked hard to refine a process that reduces uncertainty, minimizes unnecessary handoffs, and keeps projects moving.

That kind of coordination starts with our people. When team members feel supported, heard, and empowered, it shows up in the work: stronger collaboration, clearer communication, and better outcomes for our clients.

About Iconica

Iconica is a full-service design-build firm providing architecture, engineering, and construction services as a single partner or separate services. By integrating design and construction expertise, we help clients bring their ideas to life with precision and efficiency.

Lake View Elementary Principal Named State Environmental Education Administrator of the Year

MADISON, Wis.—Principal Nkaujnou Vang-Vue of the Madison Metropolitan School District’s (MMSD) Lake View Elementary School has been named the 2026 Administrator of the Year by the Wisconsin Association for Environmental Education (WAEE) in recognition of her leadership in advancing environmental education at the school.

Over the past eight years, Principal Vang-Vue has helped shape Lake View Elementary into a school where outdoor experiences and sustainability are part of daily instruction.

“Outdoor learning is an equity strategy that connects to students’ funds of knowledge and helps build their sense of self as learners,” Vang-Vue said. “I am proud of the work happening at Lake View and grateful to our educators, students and partners who help bring these experiences to life every day.”

Under Vang-Vue’s leadership, Lake View’s five-acre campus has been developed into a variety of outdoor learning spaces — including a literacy-focused StoryWalk and a nature course that promotes movement and exploration — and designed to support hands-on instruction and reflect the diversity of the school community. The school has also hosted environmental education summits and shared its work with educators from across the state.

“Principal Vang-Vue has created a learning environment where students can engage with the natural world while building critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “Her leadership reflects the kind of innovative thinking that helps students connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.”

Vang-Vue will be recognized during the WAEE’s 2026 Celebration of Excellence in Environmental Education on April 11 at Escuela Verde in Milwaukee.

To learn more about outdoor education at Lake View Elementary, please visit the school’s website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Dupaco President & CEO Joe Hearn named CUES Outstanding Chief Executive

Dubuque, Iowa—Dupaco Credit Union President and CEO Joe Hearn has been named Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) Outstanding Chief Executive, one of the industry’s highest individual honors. The award recognizes a CEO who demonstrates visionary leadership, organizational transformation, strong advocacy for the credit union movement and an unwavering commitment to members, employees and community impact.  

CUES selects its Outstanding Chief Executive based on a leader’s ability to strengthen their organization, champion people development, drive sustainable innovation and meaningfully improve member financial well-being. Hearn’s recognition reflects the significant progress Dupaco has made under his leadership and his influence throughout the broader credit union system. 

“Joe leads with unparalleled expertise and a big heart,” said Ellen Goodmann Miller, Dupaco Credit Union Board Chair. “Under his direction, Dupaco has become a beacon of opportunity, equity and community building across Iowa and beyond.”  

Hearn has led the financial cooperative since 2012.  During this time, the credit union experienced sustained growth, with membership increasing from 68,000 to more than 179,000, assets expanding from $1.06 billion to $3.5 billion, and Dupaco’s service area broadening from 28 to 118 counties—a reflection of both strategic expansion and growing member trust. 

Hearn’s community‑focused vision has also created a meaningful and lasting impact. In 2025, Dupaco employees contributed 6,136 volunteer hours, many utilizing the credit union’s volunteer time‑off benefit to support organizations important to them. He also championed the rehabilitation of the Dupaco Voices Building, transforming a once‑deteriorated historic structure into a modern operations center that now serves as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization. 

Under Hearn’s leadership, Dupaco continues to invest deeply in its people and members. In 2025, the credit union delivered 226 employee training sessions totaling more than 16,000 hours, reinforcing a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.  Dupaco’s emphasis on expert monitoring, member education and advanced technology helped prevent more than $10.5 million in potential member fraud losses in 2025 alone—demonstrating Hearn’s commitment to safeguarding member financial well‑being.  

“Joe’s superpower is empowering people—he creates a place where employees thrive, where members are truly seen, and where purpose drives every decision,” added Goodmann Miller. “It is truly an honor to celebrate this well‑deserved recognition.”  

Hearn is a nationally respected industry leader and a Certified Chief Executive through CUES. He has chaired both the Iowa Credit Union League and CUES, and in 2019 was inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame for lifetime service to the credit union movement. 

The CUES Outstanding Chief Executive Award was presented to Hearn at the CUES Symposium on February 2, 2026. 

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About Dupaco Community Credit Union  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 178,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com. 

About CUES 

For over 60 years, CUES has advanced the credit union movement by developing exceptional purpose-driven leaders who meet the unique needs of their organizations and the communities they serve. CUES partners with credit unions to elevate the leaders of today and tomorrow through exclusive networking and event opportunities, programs that facilitate personal and professional development, and unmatched digital and in-person learning experiences. Visit CUES.org to learn how CUES plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of credit unions.

Endres Manufacturing Achieves AISC Certification for Arlington Facility While Celebrating 100 Years in Business

Arlington, WI (2026) – Endres Manufacturing Co., a Wisconsin-based structural steel fabricator, is proud to announce that its Arlington, Wisconsin facility has earned American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) Certification. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the company as it celebrates both the second anniversary of the Arlington location and its 100th year in business.

The Arlington facility, formerly known as Skyline Steel, was acquired by Endres Manufacturing in 2024. Since the acquisition, the company has invested in aligning the facility with Endres’ established quality standards, procedures, and culture. Earning AISC Certification less than two years later reflects the successful integration of the Arlington operation into Endres’ certified quality management system.

“This certification is a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our Arlington team,” said President Sam Ballweg. “Bringing a newly acquired facility into alignment with our long-standing quality standards in such a short time speaks volumes about the people, processes, and culture we have built at Endres.”

Endres Manufacturing first achieved AISC Certification at its original location in 2004, reinforcing their company-wide commitment to quality, consistency, and continuous improvement. For more than two decades, AISC Certification has served as a cornerstone of Endres’ operations, ensuring customers receive structural steel fabricated to the highest industry standards.

AISC Certification is widely regarded as the most respected credential a structural steel fabricator can earn. Certified fabricators undergo comprehensive third-party evaluations to verify their ability to consistently deliver quality products through documented procedures, trained personnel, reliable equipment, and proven quality management systems.

The Arlington certification arrives during a landmark year for Endres Manufacturing, which is celebrating 100 years of service in 2026. Founded in 1926, the company has grown from a local fabricator into a trusted partner on complex structural steel projects across the region, while remaining family-owned and rooted in Wisconsin.

“As we celebrate 100 years in business, achievements like this highlight what has sustained us for a century,” added Sam. “A focus on quality, accountability, and doing right by our customers has never changed.”

With both facilities now AISC Certified, Endres Manufacturing continues to invest in its people, processes, and facilities to meet the evolving needs of its customers and the construction industry. For more information about Endres Manufacturing and its capabilities, visit www.endresmfg.com.

About Endres Manufacturing Co.
Founded in 1926, Endres Manufacturing Co. is a family-owned structural steel fabricator based in Wisconsin. The company provides structural steel fabrication services for commercial, industrial, and institutional projects and is known for its focus on quality craftsmanship, reliability, and long-term customer partnerships.

MMSD Planetarium Director Recognized for National Astronomy Research Leadership

MADISON, Wis.—Ben Senson, director of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) Planetarium and a science educator at Madison College, was recently recognized for his leadership in national-level astronomy research through the NASA/IPAC Teacher Archive Research Program (NITARP).

Senson participated as an educator mentor in NITARP’s 2025 cohort and was part of a team that presented original research at the recent winter meeting of the American Astronomical Society. The team studied infrared data from NASA’s Spitzer Space Telescope to see how the centers of distant galaxies change over time, helping scientists better understand how supermassive black holes behave.

“The impact this experience has made on my classroom is in how it crystalised the methods and purpose of science that I communicate to my students,” Senson said..”I want them to separate what science tells us is true about the world around us and how we use that knowledge in solving problems.”

Through NITARP, small groups of educators collaborate with professional astronomers on yearlong, authentic research projects, then bring that experience back to their classrooms and communities. Since its founding, the program has supported more than 150 educators nationwide and has reached thousands of students each year.

“Ben brings an extraordinary level of expertise, curiosity and passion to his work, and that shows in the opportunities he creates for students,” said Matt Hendrickson, principal of Vel Phillips Memorial High School. “His leadership at the planetarium helps make complex scientific ideas accessible and inspiring, while reinforcing that students in MMSD can engage in real, meaningful scientific inquiry.”

Senson’s involvement in NITARP also includes a commitment to professional learning. Educators in the program complete at least 12 hours of professional development for colleagues at the local, regional and national levels, extending the impact of their research well beyond a single classroom or presentation.

“Experiences like this demonstrate the power of connecting rigorous academics with real-world application,” said Dr. Carlettra Stanford, MMSD assistant superintendent of schools and learning. “Ben’s work exemplifies how educators can elevate student learning by bridging classroom instruction with authentic research and national partnerships.”

Senson will continue his work with NITARP as part of a self-funded alumni research team in 2026, with plans to present findings at the 2027 American Astronomical Society winter meeting. In addition to his research, he remains deeply engaged in planetarium programming that supports science learning for students across MMSD and the broader Madison community.

For more information about the MMSD Planetarium and its educational offerings, visit the district’s website.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.