Our People

Paul started working summers at 1901 Inc. while in high school. After high school, he started and completed the five year apprenticeship program and quickly became a top performing Foreman. In 2010, Paul became a Project Manager and excelled in that role as well. In 2011, Paul purchased 1901 Inc. and was the sole owner for 12 years; spreading ownership to include the Leadership team in early 2024.

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.”

Tod joined 1901 in March of 2022 and is a graduate of the University of Illinois. Over the last 16 years, he worked at Epic moving his way from an Executive Staffer to then Executive Project Manager and Corporate Administrator to his latest role as the Director of Campus Planning. For the last 10-plus years, Tod led Epic’s campus operations and construction team. He has had his hands in accounting, finance, human resources, contracting, project management, international operations, and management. Tod also helped lead Epic’s growth from 1,900 employees on a campus consisting of a couple thousand square feet to over 11,000 employees worldwide operating on over eight million square feet in eight countries. Tod looks to bring this breadth of experience to 1901 to help lead us through our continued growth in the industry. When he’s not working, Tod enjoys spending time with his wife, two boys, and playing a little golf.

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.

Tory joined the 1901 team in 2018 as a plumbing project manager. He is a civil engineer, by degree, and holds his Wisconsin State Professional Engineering license. He has been in the construction industry since 2000, both on the engineering and contractor side. Before joining 1901 Inc., Tory has spent the past 8 years as a project executive overseeing and performing tasks associated with construction administration, commissioning, and project management for a variety of vertical markets including healthcare, K-12 & higher education, office buildings, industrial facilities, and laboratory buildings.

Melissa Wood is currently our Controller and has worked for 1901 Inc. for a total of 9 years. She is responsible for directing and overseeing the financials, risk management, information technology and personnel activities for the Company. Melissa also serves as the Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Officer for the Company.

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.

Alex has been a dedicated professional in the construction industry in southern Wisconsin since graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2009 with a degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management. Coming from the background of general contracting and electrical subcontracting, he managed large electrical and heavy infrastructure projects in Madison and across the state. His role at 1901 is to help lead the electrical department in successfully building projects through their entire life cycle, ensuring that we have the right people dedicated to the roles and assigning responsibilities to meet the clients expectations and needs. Alex lives in Cottage Grove. He enjoys spending longs walks on the beach, and a nice sea breeze from time to time and the wind flowing through his hair. While not at work he spends his time helping to raise his two children (Clara and Isaac) with his wife Danielle while spending as much time outdoors as possible, grilling, fishing and camping. He enjoys upland and waterfowl hunting in those few spare moments he can with his yellow lab Cooper.

Dave Kordecki joined 1901 in 2024, bringing 27 years of experience with him! Dave started his career at a local Fire Department, and his love of firefighting continues to propel his career in Fire Protection.  He has seen all parts of the industry including testing applications at Underwriters Laboratories, installing and testing fire alarms, getting his sprinkler apprenticeship, becoming a licensed sprinkler inspector, and providing service and sales.

Dave has three boys, spanning the ages of 16-24.  The oldest has followed in his footsteps and is a Fire Sprinkler Inspector and Fire Alarm technician.  His middle son has his own home remodeling and landscaping company, and his youngest son is a sophomore in high school.  Dave’s hobbies include hunting, fishing, and coaching youth basketball. 

Dave is excited about the opportunity to grow the Fire Protection Team at 1901; to build a bigger presence to serve existing customers, and to develop new ones.