Our success would not be possible without the support of our staff and board members.
WRTP | BIG STEP is industry-led, worker-centered and community-focused. Our mission is to enhance the ability of private sector organizations to recruit and develop a more diverse, qualified workforce in construction, manufacturing and emerging sectors of the regional economy.
Pat Stiff – Co-Chair
WEC Energy Group: Business Services, Power Generation Business Unit, & Vice President, Coal & CogenerationAnthony Rainey – Co-Chair
United Autoworkers, Region 4 UAW:
Servicing RepresentativeRoss Winklbauer – Secretary/Treasurer Ex-Officio
United Steelworkers District 2:
Sub-District DirectorDan Bukiewicz – Secretary
Milwaukee Building and Construction Trades Council:
PresidentRobert Rayburn – Treasurer
National Electrical Contractors Association – Milwaukee Chapter:
Executive Vice PresidentGrahm Ault – Director
Harley-Davidson Motor Company:
Director, Labor & Employee RelationsScott Bartz – Director
S.M.A.R.T Local 18:
V.P/ Business Representative – Madison / JanesvilleStephanie Bloomingdale – Director
Wisconsin State AFL-CIO:
President
Steve Breitlow – Director
Plumbers Local 75:
Business ManagerMike Follett – Director
IBEW Local Union 2150:
Business ManagerAlex Hoekstra – Director
IAMAW District #10:
DirectorHenry Hurt – Director
Hurt Electric Inc.:
OwnerNathan Jurowski – Director
Building Advantage:
Executive DirectorJonathan Kowalski – Director
Plumbing and Sheet Metal Contractor’s Alliance:
Executive DirectorJeannie Lauret – Director
Duwemetal:
CEO/PresidentTony Neira – Director
Laborers International Union of North America Local 113:
Business Manager
WRTP | BIG STEP
WRTP | BIG STEP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit workforce intermediary dedicated to connecting people to family-sustaining jobs.
Our mission is to enhance the ability of public and private sector organizations to recruit, develop, and retain a more diverse, qualified workforce in construction, manufacturing and emerging sectors of the regional economy.
WRTP was initially created to renew our traditional industrial base in the Milwaukee area during the 1990s. The recovery of manufacturing, retirement of an aging workforce, and diversification of the regional economy created a growing skills shortage by the end of the decade. In response to this threat to economic growth and prosperity, we created our successful model of pre-employment training for job seekers to qualify for family-sustaining jobs in the industrial sector.
Supported by public, private, and philanthropic investments, WRTP | BIG STEP’s mission is to assist economically disadvantaged minorities, women, and youth (primarily from the central-city) develop the skills needed to participate meaningfully in the workforce and share in the area economy while ensuring that member companies have the skilled workers needed to prosper and grow in a competitive global economy.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
3841 W. Wisconsin Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53208(414) 342-9787
Mon – Fri . 9:00 – 5:00
SOUTH EASTERN, WISCONSIN
1001 S Main Street Room T-217
Racine, WI 53403(262) 619-6560
Mon – Fri . 9:00 – 5:00
SOUTH CENTRAL, WISCONSIN
1602 S Park Street
Madison, WI 53715(608) 255-0155
Mon – Fri . 9:00 – 5:00
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA
175 Aurora Ave
St. Paul, MN 55016(651) 335-2896
Mon – Fri . 9:00 – 5:00