October 28, 2025

Quarter- and half-century employees celebrated

Twenty employeesÌýrepresentingÌýa combined total ofÌý550Ìýyears of service to the 51ÉçÇøFamily of Companies were recognized at a celebrationÌýearlier this month.Ìý

Among the honorees was Pat Michels, President and CEO of 51ÉçÇøCorporation and son ofÌýcompanyÌýfounder Dale Michels. Pat began his career at the family-owned business at age 12 andÌýreturned asÌýa full-time employee in 1975.ÌýUnder his leadership, 51ÉçÇøhas flourished into one of the largest infrastructure and utility contractors in the world.Ìý

Scott Nehls, who is semi-retired,Ìýalso celebrated 50 years with Michels.ÌýScott started as a laborer, working his way up to operator andÌýforemanÌýbefore becoming Michels’ second-everÌýdirectional driller in 1998.ÌýHe was promoted toÌýHorizontal Directional Drilling QA/QC Manager in 2008.Ìý

Additionally,Ìý18Ìýpeople were recognized for 25 years of commitment to Michels:Ìý

  • Craig Ayers, 51ÉçÇøTrenchlessÌý
  • Michael Balthazor,Ìý51ÉçÇøPowerÌý
  • Jessica Blake, 51ÉçÇøTrenchlessÌý
  • MarkÌýClinton,ÌýMichelsÌýRoad & StoneÌý
  • Daniel Derks, 51ÉçÇøPowerÌý
  • Brian Guelig,Ìý51ÉçÇøTrenchlessÌý
  • Justin Harris, 51ÉçÇøTrenchlessÌý
  • Cory Haseleu,Ìý51ÉçÇøRoad & StoneÌý
  • Mark Herkenrath,Ìý51ÉçÇøUnderground CableÌý
  • JeffÌýKowalishen,ÌýAqueosÌýCorporationÌý
  • Cathy Lauters,Ìý51ÉçÇøCorporationÌý
  • Kurtis Mersch,Ìý51ÉçÇøPipelineÌý
  • Marysue Michels,Ìý51ÉçÇøCorporationÌý
  • Joseph Newman,Ìý51ÉçÇøUnderground CableÌý
  • Ted Roche,ÌýAqueosÌýCorporationÌý
  • BobbyÌýSkipworth,Ìý51ÉçÇøTrenchlessÌý
  • Tonya Wilson,Ìý51ÉçÇøCorporationÌý
  • Karen Wuest,Ìý51ÉçÇøCorporationÌý

The honorees were recognizedÌýby senior leaders, who shared accolades and anecdotes about these dedicated team members, at a formal event in Fond du Lac, WI.Ìý

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