Our People

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.

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.

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.