Congratulations to Assistant Project Manager Mario Gonzalez who was named a Newsmakers Rising Young Professional of the Year because of the great job he has done, the work ethic he brings, and what he has already accomplished in his 3 years at Hunzinger. Mario started working at Hunzinger as an intern while he completed his associate’s degree in construction management from Waukesha County Technical College and was serving in the Wisconsin Air National Guard – Civil Engineering Division. In the Air National Guard, he worked as a heavy equipment operator and was promoted to an operations manager honorably completing his service after 9 years with the rank of Staff Seargeant. Mario had previously earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
The feature published in The Daily Reporter’s Special Newsmakers magazine noted that while in the Air National Guard, Mario worked as a pavements and construction equipment specialist. His job was to operate heavy machinery, and construct and maintain runways to support air operations.
Mario said that he quickly realized the magnitude of the projects they undertook and how rewarding it was to see them completed. That experience led him to pursue a career in the construction industry after the military and today, he is an assistant project manager for Hunzinger Construction Company.
From his very first day on the job, Mario brought a dedication and willingness to learn that is rare. He is focused and serious about his work and after only one year was promoted from project engineer to assistant project manager. The projects he has worked on have varied and are getting larger and more complex.
Mario loves that every day on the job is different and often brings unique challenges. He says that there is rarely a dull moment in his day and there is no better feeling than looking back and knowing that you were able to successfully handle whatever curveball was thrown your way.
Some of the notable projects that Mario has worked on include The Corners of Brookfield (multiple), US Cellular office renovations, the Option Care Health Clinic in Wauwatosa, and Starbuck School in Racine.
“At this stage in my career, it’s about fully understanding the constructability of projects”, Gonzalez said. “There is so much to learn about how buildings are constructed and the best practices involved. At times, the possibilities seem endless, so understanding the details of specific components is essential. I’ve found that working closely with my team at Hunzinger, along with the subject matter experts in the field, helps me navigate the occasionally challenging technical issues.”
In his very limited free time, Mario likes to stay active as much as possible playing sports like soccer, boxing, and basketball. Mario got married over a year ago too and in August he and his wife welcomed their first child, a son.
What are Mario’s clients saying about him?
RUSD Professional said: Mario has been really good. He understands the project and takes the time to communicate with all the school staff. He is always prepared to answer any question and has a good rapport with the subcontractors. This is our best managed project of all the projects we have going on right now. Mario is organized and professional.
RUSD Facilities Professional Said: Mario Gonzalez is a reliable presence in the job trailer. He has been doing a really good job with the details like the background checks and keeping job minutes. He is great to work with and is a great team member.
A recent client/Mall Manager said: Mario is a really good young PM. He is a hard worker and has been learning a lot and getting better throughout the project. He is very responsive and is great at following up on issues.
