Our People

PAUL CHRISTENSEN
Owner / CEO / Project Executive
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As owner and CEO, Paul oversees all operations at 1901 Inc. Paul has over 20 years’ experience in Mechanical Contracting and is a steamfitter by trade. Paul has worked hard to improve quality control within the company while also improving efficiency and productivity throughout both the field and the office.
Paul is actively the President of Madison Area Mechanical & Sheet Metal Contractors Assoc., Vice President of Madison Association of Plumbing Contractors, Vice President of Mechanical Contractors Assoc. Of America, WI Chapter, Secretary/Treasurer of the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau, Madison Big Step Steering Committee, Kids Building Wisconsin and the State of Wisconsin Apprenticeship Leaders Board of Directors
“Dedication and commitment to quality, value and safety is vital to our success. Our customers rely on our expertise in design and construction to provide them with safe, reliable, and efficient mechanical systems. Our goal is to be quality, cost and safety conscious at all times and we recognize that our customers are the most valuable and important assets we have.”

Mike Christensen
President / Emeritus
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BRADY FARRELL
President
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Among his many accomplishments, Brady led a project for a nonprofit that achieved the highest point total record with the leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The Aldo Leopold foundation has the first “net zero energy” building in Wisconsin, and the first carbon-neutral building certified by LEED. Currently, Brady is leading 1901 into the virtual world of BIM construction and prefabrication.
“1901 strives to be the best at serving our customers in all aspects of their mechanical and plumbing construction needs. 1901 takes pride in completing high-quality projects on time and under budget.”
Brady’s hobbies include tournament bass fishing and bowhunting.

James Christensen
Vice President of Service & Sales
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In 2011, Jim returned to 1901 as the Service Manager. His 15 years of field experience has helped lead the service department to giving better quality, efficiency, and timeliness of service to our customers. In 2017, Jim was promoted to Vice President of Service and Sales which will allow him to build more personal relationships with our current and future customers while still overseeing the service department.
Jim graduated from the Sales Excellence Institute at University of Houston. He is a member of MSCA and sits on the Steamfitter Apprentice Advisory Committee, and on the National Service and Maintenance Agreement Oversight Committee for the state of WI.

Justin Wiemer
Vice President
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Justin has more than 12 years of experience in the HVAC & Construction industry. Before joining 1901 Inc, Justin was an HVAC Designer/Construction Administrator and Project Manager for a consultant engineering firm. Justin has several years of experience in the design of HVAC systems, construction administration, commissioning, and project management for a variety of projects types including healthcare, K-12 & higher education, office buildings, industrial facilities, correctional institutions, and laboratory buildings.

MELISSA WOOD
Controller
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Melissa began her career in accounting in 1993 while still in high school. She then joined the challenging and exciting construction industry in 1995 working for a residential builder. Melissa graduated from Lakeland College with a Bachelor of Art degree in Accounting in 2006.
Melissa became a member of 1901 Inc. Board of Directors in 2017. She is also a trustee for the MACET Health Fund.

TORY MILLER, P.E.
Vice President of Plumbing
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Natalie Weasler
Office Manager
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Coming Soon…

LEE MCCANN
Project Manager
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Lee is an HVAC project manager/estimator with 50 years of experience in the construction industry and 32 years in the HVAC trade including sheet metal field supervision and shop fabrication. Lee has been the Project Manager of some of the most high-profile HVAC projects in Wisconsin, including the Wisconsin State Capitol Renovations, Overture Center, Epic and major additions to UW Hospital.
Lee makes use of all the tools at his disposal at 1901, including the latest CAD/BIM/Revit designs, our scanning tool for existing site conditions, Trimble to layout hangers and embedded anchors, sheet metal and steamfitting prefabrication, value engineering, along with a concerted company-wide LEAN effort, and most importantly the talents of a very qualified and extremely hard-working workforce practicing safety in their every movement. Embracing each and every new technological advance ensures the best for our customers.
His project management responsibilities include purchasing of equipment, subcontracting, jobsite coordination, safety policy oversight, system redesign for value engineering, CAD/BIM design oversight, and plain old problem-solving.
1901 is a growing family with our eyes focused firmly on the future. If your “family” has a need, let our family help you, as we have done for the past 119 years proud.

MIKE RAETHER
Project Manager
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Mike specializes in small to large scale design/build projects, including historic restorations. He often meets one-on-one with building owners and facility managers to accommodate their needs, Mike has proven to be a valuable asset in servicing some of our most demanding and intricate projects including pharmaceutical laboratories, food service distribution, churches and printing facilities, just to name a few.

GREGORY NELSON
Project Manager
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Greg has been with 1901 since 1997. He started in the sheet metal industry in 1979 and was involved in labor management and later became Project Manager in 2001. He formerly served on the Joint Apprenticeship Board of Sheet Metal Workers International Association. Greg manages some of our toughest and largest projects and has received several letters of recommendation over his many years of service.

DAVE GUNDLACH
Service Manager
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As Service Manager for 1901, Dave oversees our Service Department that services Dane County and surrounding areas with up to twelve service technicians. The majority of our work is for commercial customers. We provide emergency service as well as preventive maintenance.

RANDY REUSCHLEIN
Chief Estimator
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Randy’s years of experience ensure that 1901’s estimating software is kept to date with current pricing metrics and enables us to accurately and competitively quote projects. He is a past President of the Madison Association of Plumbing Contractors and holds a B.A. in Business Administration from UW Whitewater

AARON GOBEL
HVAC Systems Designer
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JEFF SMITH
Plumbing Estimator
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Jeff currently holds a Wisconsin Journeyman Plumber’s license, a Cross Connection Control Tester license, and is designated as a nationally recognized ASSE Service Plumber. He is also a ASSE Instructor and Proctor.

ANDY KROHN
Estimator
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His start in the warehouse helped him gain an understanding of how the trades work and provides him with a unique understanding on putting together complete and accurate bids. Andy has completed courses at Madison College in mathematics, business, and computer science, and he oversees and maintains our estimating software.

MARK REED
Vice President of Operations
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As Operations Manager, Mark oversees our Shipping and Receiving Department and coordinates personnel for both our sheet metal fabrication and pipe fabrication shops. Mark also handles safety assurance to meet OSHA Standards and any GC directed safety programs.
Mark is a member of the Madison area Sheet Metal apprenticeship committee.

Dan Powell
Project Manager
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COMING SOON!

CALE SCHMELZER
Estimator
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He also coordinates with subcontractors and suppliers regarding their costs for our projects. Using cutting edge 3D estimating software that integrates with our CAD and fabrication departments, Cale and the estimating team play a critical role in the overall success and productivity of 1901.

TIMOTHY OLSTAD
Project Manager
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Tim is focused on continuous process improvement, always striving to make things better. Through sincere collaboration efforts with owners, design teams and construction managers he strives to provide value for the end user. Tim is a certified lean construction manager and is dedicated to utilizing Lean Construction principles. With support from the leadership within 1901 Mechanical and Plumbing Tim has played an active role in developing a lean culture within our company.

MICHAEL CASPER
Project Manager
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