Staff Members
Gary A. Radtke, P.E., P.L.S. - PRESIDENT
Licensed Professional Engineer in the states of Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan. He is licensed as a Professional Land Surveyor in the states of Wisconsin and Indiana.
Mr. Radtke has been involved in numerous organizations. These include the National Society of Professional Engineers, Indiana Society of Professional Engineers, and Ex-president to Calumet Chapter of Indiana Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, and American Water Works.
Mr. Radtke's last endeavor (prior to establishing Radtke And Associates, Inc.) of 16 years was managing a group of four different companies. These companies were located in Valparaiso, Indiana. They consisted of engineering/surveying, operations, architectural, and a design/build company. These services were provided in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.
One of his major areas of expertise is the development of wastewater and water projects in small communities. The project costs range between 1.5 million to 5 million dollars. Legal entities that were developed include conservancy districts, regional sewer districts, and towns. These entities borrowed money to construct their facilities; and with Mr. Radtke's involvement, secured the grants and financing.
Mr. Radtke established Radtke And Associates, Inc. located in the La Porte/Michigan City Area. His goal is to maintain a skillful staff that shares in his commitment to clients' satisfaction. He encourages each staff member to achieve project excellence by giving them the authority and responsibility to achieve their goal.As an engineer with over forty years of experience, Mr. Radtke reviews each project for each client so that a quality project is obtained.
Mandee Aftowski - Business Manager, Associate
Mandee's expertise of communication with clients and her strong business and professional approach led her to become the Business Manager for Radtke and Associates Inc. She also handles all aspects of the Human Resource Department. This entails familiarizing new employees with the company, and dealing with all insurance related issues. Utilizing QuickBooks enables Mandee to supply information needed by several departments/project managers in detail and in a timely manner.
Mandee is in charge of the administrated staff and for the development of a business system to help the project manager and the president. These systems include a file system that considers the new communication technology of emails. Documentation has become more difficult due to the rapid communication of email and a system that does not slow the process was needed. Clients and the project managers need current cost updates. Utilizing the QuickBooks system gives cost information immediately. A system using the high tech tools was developed.
Small businesses need to know what is happening within the company and with projects short and long term. Mandee has developed a modified QuickBooks program that accomplishes this task. Notifying and communicating keep the business on track. Monthly and yearly projections and tracking constant changes is the key to a successful business. Mandee is also involved in another major part of the company - Marketing. She attends several organizational meetings such as the Chamber of Commerce in La Porte and Michigan City, The Building Association, Business Expositions, Job Fairs, etc...
Edward Recktenwall - Engineering Manager, Associate
Mr. Recktenwall has 14 years of engineering design and construction expierence including but not limited to work in the following types of projects:
- Residential Land Development
- Commercial Land Development
- Building Renovations and Energy Auditing
- Environmental BMP design and application
- Municipal Infrastructure Design
- Project Due Diligence
In Ed's Engineering Manager role with Radtke And Associates, Inc., he will bring real world engineering/construction experience to the company and help streamline the planning, project development and engineering processes. Along with these milestones, his commitment is to become a cornerstone for company growth and productivity.
| Design | Analysis | Mapping | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil 3D | Hydraflow | Map 3D | Microsoft Office Applications |
| Revit | WaterCAD | ArcGIS | Primavera |
| Microstation | Hec-Ras | GPS-TDS | Open Office Org |
| many others | |||
| Construction Specifications Institue |
| Autodesk User Group International |
| Indiana Builders Association |
William Arden, Jr., PLSIN, PLSIL - Senior Project Manager,Surveyor
Bill received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University for Construction Technology in 1972 and is licensed as a Profession Land Surveyor in Indiana since 1979 and in Illinois since 1980. Bill has continued his surveying education by attending Land Surveying, professional and technical seminars and workshops throughout his career.
Having been previously employed by both local and national Engineering and Land Surveying firms has given Bill an extensive work experience.
His 36 years of experience in NW Indiana and NE Illinois with communities, contractors, developers, and private sector firms have opened many opportunities for Radtke And Associates, Inc.
Bill provides are: (1) project management tasks to include writing proposals, negotiating contracts, managing project budgets and billings, client interaction, preparation and coordination of office and field staff, (2) technical tasks to include preparation and review of plat work, construction layout services, coordinate and research GPS missions, record documents, deed research and writing legal descriptions, and (3) design tasks to include preparation and review of construction plans for roadways, sanitary and storm sewer systems, and site development plans for commercial sites.
Project management and client relationships are Bill's strongest traits. He will take a project from conception through construction in the shortest time possible in a professional manner.
Jeff Waldschmidt - Utility Maintenance and Operations, Manager
Jeff joined Radtke And Associates, Inc. after many years of working in a laboratory environment. His past experience helps in the operation of a sanitary sewer utility that Radtke And Associates, Inc. maintains. This utility has a low pressure collection system, recirculating media filter, and a mound system.
Being a 24/7 person is not an issue with Jeff. With his testing knowledge and hands-on skills, there is no task he can't handle. Computer and people skills are extremely important in the operation of this utility system and Jeff handles both with expertise and professionalism.
Christine Waldschmidt - Executive Secretary
Christine joined Radtke And Associates, Inc. in the position of Executive Administrative Assistant. She brings extensive knowledge from her past experiences. These experiences included working directly with a General Manager for a steel company, being a senior secretary for the Engineering Director, and working in Administrative Services and Salaried Recruitment.
Chris arrived with the Radtke And Associates, Inc. staff at the time our business manager was on maternity leave.
Without any training and other employees, she jumped in and accomplished the development of a specification for a major project and distributed the plans and specifications to the contractor's client and planholder rooms. This project consisted of four separate contracts which Chris handled very professionally. Through the process of the bidding, addendums needed to be sent and planholder lists maintained and distributed. Besides that major project, Chris continued operating the administrative staff and receptionist part of her job. Her past experience proved to be a major source for being able to be so organized and professional.
Her duties include correspondence, letters and spreadsheets, answering phones, routing and processing mail, delivering information to clients, maintenance of office supplies, being involved in the business aspects of Radtke And Associates, Inc. through the QuickBooks program, and running of prints when necessary. Chris is developing a file system to achieve goals for documentation and quick distribution of information. With e-mail being a major source of communications, this presented a new opportunity to be able to file and keep documentation of the communications.
Tony Kollak - Professional Land Surveyor
Tony is one of our Professional Land Surveyors and is the Senior Field Surveyor. Degreed in Architectural Technology and Construction Technology, he also brings 30 years of experience working in the surveying field. Areas of specialized skills include Alta/Acsm title, boundary, and topographic surveys; subdivision and planned unit development plats; plats of easement and construction layout services; and one man surveying and construction layout crew utilizing a robotic total station and G.P.S. equipment. Tony joined Radtke And Associates, Inc. in March, 2009. He handles the daily surveying needs of the company which includes collecting grade shots and setting control for topographic surveys, establishing and setting control for construction staking and boundary surveys.
A few of the projects that Tony is currently working on include the surveying and construction staking for the new 80 acre Kankakee Valley Middle School in Wheatfield, Indiana; the horizontal and vertical control for the Lake on the Green, Lakes of the Four Seasons Property Owners Association in Crown Point, Indiana; and Cherry Hill Subdivision work, Valparaiso, Indiana.
Doug Pedler - Project Manager
Doug Pedler is one of our Project Managers, specializing in building design and construction. He joined Radtke And Associates Inc., in March, 2009. Degreed in Architectural Engineering, plus over 25 years of work experience in building design and construction, Doug can help with all of your building design needs.
Prior to joining Radtke And Associates, Inc., Doug was the Engineering Manager at a large general contractor in Elkhart, Indiana, designing many professional, commercial, and industrial buildings.
Kevin Radtke - Project Manager
Kevin Radtke joined our firm in October of 2009 and is our newest Project Manager. He is currently working on three projects. Two are located in the Lakes of the Four Seasons and the other in La Porte County. Kevin has been working with Lakes of the Four Seasons Board of Directors for many years and that working relationship is extremely important. Part of his duties will be marketing around the Four Seasons area. Additionally, Kevin will be assisting our survey crew when needed.
Kevin brings a family member into the organization, and is a person who knows how to deal with all kinds of people. His experience includes working with his Dad surveying and serving many years as Assistant Chief and Fire Chief with the Lakes of the Four Seasons Fire Force. He is currently a paramedic and firefighter.
Kevin, his wife Mandy, and son Rhylee reside in Lakes of the Four Seasons in Crown Point, IN.
Paul Martin - Professional Engineer
Paul Martin joined our firm in October, 2009, and has worked on various projects in the past. He carries an Indiana Professional Engineer license and brings 30 years of experience in mechanical engineering, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, project management, and construction related services.
Paul, his wife, and two children have lived in La Porte, Indiana for 20 years.
Gary M. Sikich - Project Manager / Consultant
Gary graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology/Environmental Sciences. His experience includes project management, project planning, project budgeting, funding assistance and business development. Gary has over 25 years of experience working in the engineering and architectural industry.
His project experience includes project planning and management for building improvements, municipal infrastructure improvement projects, fire station renovation, environmental investigation/remediation of underground storage tanks and downtown streetscape improvement plans. He was also Committee Chairman for a $500,000 church construction and renovation project.
Gary is involved with several community and business organizations. These include President, City of Green Bay Economic Development Authority (EDA); City of Green Bay/Town of Scott Joint Plan Commission, Green Bay Comprehensive Plan; Technical Advisory Committee, Downtown Green Bay Design Plan; Member, Helping Businesses Build Assets (HBBA), Green Bay Chapter.
With Radtke And Associates, Inc., Gary is providing Wisconsin marketing expertise and project management. Radtke And Associates, Inc. in Wisconsin specializes in school maintenance programs and Gary contacts schools and meets with school staff to discuss potential projects. Suring Public Schools and Gresham Public Schools are clients of Radtke And Associates, Inc. and Gary provides the project management on their roofing projects.