About us
The Construction Careers Council creates a bright future for West Michigan’s construction industry by building a diverse and qualified workforce.
The Construction Careers Council was established in May 2021 to address the current and future talent needs in the construction industry. The council takes pride in its members representing different trades to give an accurate representation of the industry as a whole.
our members
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Rachel
Austin
Director of Corporate Trades - EV Construction
Rachel is the Director of Corporate trades at EV Construction. She joined EV Construction in 2017, and in her role is acutely aware of the need for talent in our industry. Rachel works to train and promote our trades staff and seeks opportunities to recruit others into the construction industry as well.
Rachel has her MBA and also holds a Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Entrepreneurship and Business Administration. She has had a lifelong involvement in the industry, having grown up riding around in her dad's HVAC service van. She is part of the WMCI Corporate Impact Committee, an OAISD Construction Program Advisory Member since 2021, serves as the KCTC Construction Program Advisory Board Chair (chair since 2021, member since 2015), is a West Coast Leadership Program Graduate, Inforum Member and SHRM Member.
Rachel and her husband Andy live in Caledonia with their spoiled German Shorthaired Pointer, Jackson
Walter
Christophersen
Membership Dev. Coordinator - IBEW Local 275
Walter, a lifelong resident of West Michigan, has committed himself to improving his community through volunteerism, education and involvement in the labor movement. Walter has been an IBEW member since 2002, having completed an apprenticeship and becoming a successful electrician. Walter was hired as IBEW Local 275’s membership development coordinator in 2013, and has since trained organizers and community advocates and helped labor workers elevate themselves in the workplace.
Walter is a dedicated father, Muskegon resident, and loves to spend time outdoors.
Mindy
Curtiss
Human Resources Director - Kent Companies, Inc.
Mindy is an HR director with a passion for guiding and supporting employees throughout their careers. Mindy finds the construction industry to be a “breath of fresh air” that allows her to work with diverse groups of people, from laborers to CEOs.
Mindy earned her bachelor’s degree in business management from Davenport University.
MAC
DODDS
Industry Council Lead – Construction Careers Council
Mac is passionate about changing the way people think about the construction industry. Mac has worked in the industry in various roles, now working to build a strong construction workforce in West Michigan through his role as the lead for the Construction Careers Council.
Mac resides in Rockford, Michigan with his wife and enjoys sports, being outdoors, and reading. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Nick
Elzinga
Director of Operations – Control Solutions, Inc
Nick has been in the building trades here for the last 22 years. Originally starting in the trades as an electrical apprentice, he made the move to temperature controls in the mid 2000’s. Nick started with Control Solutions in 2011 as a project technician and since then has served in the roles of Project Technician, Service Technician, Service Manager, Service/Service Projects Director, and now, Director of Operations as of September 2021.
He and his family call Rockford home. Go Rams! In their spare time they enjoy fishing and anything on the water.
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Steve Huizinga
President – Freedom Construction
Steve Huizinga is a recognized leader in both the construction industry and the diversity and inclusion space, directing over 350 employees and four subsidiaries in his previous role as president of Allied Mechanical, one of Michigan’s largest mechanical contracting firms. During his 30+ year history in commercial and industrial construction, he has also served on the board of directors for the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, West Michigan Construction Institute, and Associated Builders and Contractors Western Michigan—the latter of which conferred him the National Diversity Excellence Award in 2019.
Lindsay Kronemeyer
Membership Director - ABC Western Michigan Chapter
Lindsay is the Membership Director at Associated Builders and Contractors Western Michigan Chapter. Lindsay is passionate about attracting and growing the next generation in the construction industry. In her role at ABC Lindsay engages with those in the industry to help companies develop people, win work, and deliver that work safely, ethically, and profitably.
Lindsay is a West Michigan native and lives in Dorr with her husband and two boys.
Amy
Lebednick
Business Solutions Director - West Michigan Works!
Before joining West Michigan Works!, Amy worked in health care management for eight years and specialized in operations, staff and project management, integrated software, and customer service. She graduated from Grand Valley State University with an emphasis in international business and marketing with a minor in Spanish.
Amy and her two children live in Grand Rapids.
Brooke Mahlebashian
HR/Office Administrator - Summit Point Roofing
After spending the majority of her career in the legal industry, Brooke made the switch to construction last year by following her passion for processes and people. She enjoys providing a fresh perspective to not just roofing but construction in general.
She grew up in the Forest Hills area and enjoys spending her free time golfing, going to brunch, and spending time with her husband and three pets.
Meg
Mathis
Marketing - Dan Vos Construction Company
Meg believes construction is a people business and feels the best way to see the vision behind the building is through storytelling. Meg does this by speaking with the workers in charge of different areas of the building; "the heartbeat of any building is the people who took part in creating the building.” From architect to superintendent, Meg believes pride comes through when a challenge is solved, teamwork is maximized, and expertise is put to the test.
Meg came to the U.S. from Poland in the early 80’s. She loves to travel and spend time with family.
Holly
Wasielewski- Chair
Talent Acquisition Manager - The Christman Company
Holly proudly followed in the footsteps of her family who have been in construction for many generations. After attending Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business, she has spent the majority of her career in the construction industry in HR and Talent Acquisition roles leading recruiting and workforce development strategies. She's passionate about creating opportunities and access for students and diverse, non-traditional candidates in effort to educate and promote careers in the construction industry. Holly truly believes there's a career for everyone in construction and advocates with her council members to bring opportunities to all.
Holly is a West Michigan native; her and her husband own and operate a small family farm in Wayland, Michigan where they raise cattle for beef to sell to consumers.