Waukesha, Wis. (August 21, 2014) – The Waukesha County Business Alliance has announced that William J. Mielke, president and CEO of Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. will receive the 2014 Don Richards Leadership Award, to be presented at the Alliance’s 96th Annual Meeting on Friday, Sept. 12 at Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center.
The Don Richards Leadership Award recognizes Mielke’s outstanding civic leadership and contributions to many communities in Southeastern Wisconsin.
Mielke oversees a staff of 80 at Ruekert & Mielke, which provides municipal engineering services to more than 200 municipalities.
Since joining the firm full-time in 1971, Mielke has built a reputation as the “go-to” local business leader for complex municipal and regional issues. Known for his combination of strategic vision and civil engineering expertise, Mielke has been involved in countless municipal projects; everything from the “sewer wars” to leading the design of wastewater treatment systems and pumping stations, to solving large regional issues.
“Southeastern Wisconsin is better because of Bill’s dedication to serving our communities over the past 40 years,” said Suzanne Kelley, president of the Waukesha County Business Alliance. “His passion for local communities is evident through his commitment to supporting them in planning, designing and implementing complex projects – he has been a tremendous asset for the state of Wisconsin.”
Mielke’s civic and industry involvement is extensive, including many industry associations, numerous local citizens planning and redevelopment commissions, the Wisconsin League of Municipalities Stormwater Advisory Committee, the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, founding member of the Waukesha Engineering Scholarship Fund, and a position on the Waukesha County Business Alliance Policy Board.
He was nominated by President Obama as an advisor for the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) and he serves on many State Legislative Study Committees and Governor appointed Task Forces.
The Don Richards Award celebrates the life of the late Don Richards, who was publisher of The Business Journal and Chairman of the Board of the Waukesha Area Chamber of Commerce (now known as Waukesha County Business Alliance). The late Don Richards’ hands-on leadership, ethics and delight in achieving tangible results left a lasting impression on the Waukesha County business community. The Don Richards Leadership Award was created in his honor in 1993 to inspire and motivate business people to take community leadership roles in Waukesha County.
For more information about the award or to purchase tickets to the luncheon, please visit www.waukesha.org.
