Employee Spotlight: Nathan Vande Zande

Nathan Vande Zande is a Project Manager for Westphal & Company. He has been with the company for 6 years and has been a great asset to the team. Now lets take some time to learn more about Nathan.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I enjoy spending time with family and friends in addition to being an avid golfer of any type of golf, either on the links or disc golf course. I am also a Wisconsin Badgers fan.

What was your first job at Westphal & Co.?

I joined Westphal & Company as a Project Manager in May of 2017 directly after college and started working with Randy Wileman on Cupertino projects at Badger Road and then into the Edgerton facility.

What did your journey into working at Westphal & Co. look like?

I attended the University of Wisconsin Madison and earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Construction Management. After meeting with Westphal & Company at a career fair on campus, I decided this was the best career fit for me and joined shortly after graduation as a Project Manager.

What do you like most about your job?

I like the ever-changing challenges of Construction Management, from building hospitals to solar farms to modular electric rooms for data centers. It always keeps you on your toes and fulfills my competitive nature to always be improving and succeeding at the jobs that I’m involved with.

Employee Spotlight: Floyd Nevermann

Floyd Nevermann is an Assistant Prefabrication Manager for Westphal & Company. Let’s take some time to learn more about Floyd!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I am a husband and father of three. I have been married to my wife for 18 years. I have a 16-year-old daughter Miya, a 13-year-old son Max, and a 9-year-old daughter Macee. I love spending time with my family and being outdoors. I enjoy riding mountain bikes with my family. My son and I race mountain bikes throughout Wisconsin and I coach Janesville’s Youth Mountain Bike Club.

What was your first job at Westphal & Co.?

I started working for Westphal & Co. on May 31st, 2005. My first job was Epic Systems, Phase One. I began working in building two for General Foreman Terry Wanninger.

What did your journey into working at Westphal & Co. look like?

It took just over a year to get hired by Westphal from when I applied for my apprenticeship. I passed my masters test before I topped out as a Journeyman. I’ve worked at Epic Systems, Oscar Meyer, Camp Randall, UW Madison, Alliant Energy, Goex, Mercy East, and Trachte. In 2015 I came into the office to work in the CAD Department. In 2018 I began working in the Prefab Department and have been there since.

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy the ever-changing challenges, the people, and the constant evolution of Westphal’s Prefab Department.

Employee Spotlight: Will Burchell

Will Burchell is a Youth Apprentice BIM Intern for for Westphal & Company. Now let’s take some time to learn more about Will!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Titus Will Burchell, I currently attend Parkview Jr/Sr High School in Orfordville, WI. I have grown up overseas for 14 years of my life. I have attended public school for two years so far. Prior to my family’s move to the United States, we lived in four countries – India (4), South Korea (5), Kenya (3), and Malaysia (2). I have visited nearly 14 countries, and plan to travel more often in the future. Electrical Construction is an interest to me as I would like to pursue an Electrical Engineering degree while in college. Aside from my intent to go far with this career, I am a Pianist. It is an important part of my life. The instrument takes much dedication and tenacity to master, which has in part made me become an accomplished musician – while having so much more to learn. After 14 years of experience, I am focusing on becoming more involved with the instrument and engaging myself to do well with it. I have four siblings, each of whom are younger than I. My favorite instrument to play is – the Piano. I enjoy eating Asian meals and traditional foods. I would have to say that my favorite fruit is a weird pick. It smells bad but tastes good – it is called Durian and only grows in southeast Asia.

What was your first job?

My first job was at a restaurant. This restaurant is called the Ding-A-Ling Super Club (Hanover, WI), known well in much of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, alongside I have worked at Bass Creek Golf Course as well. (Janesville, WI)

What did your journey into working at Westphal & Co. look like?

The process of designing a building that it takes to commercially put together a project has been fascinating to me.  I am interested in what makes up a building and more specifically what makes up commercial buildings. During my eleventh-grade year, I took an introductory engineering course, and Don Wendt came to speak about his job in the field. Don’s son, Malachi, is a good friend of mine.  I soon became interested in what his work entailed, then I asked about the possibility of an internship through the school. After a few months I was able to start working at Westphal & Company as a youth apprentice in the BIM Department.

What do you like most about your job?

I enjoy the collaboration between groups of individuals and their disagreements and agreements on one topic or another, specifically in an area of work where everyone enjoys what they are doing. The most enjoyable part of working in the BIM department here at Westphal & Company Inc., is the amount of connection and cooperation that there is between the employees who all work together on multiple projects. I can ask questions and get answers when needed, and they are always there to help.

What is your greatest accomplishment?

My greatest accomplishments are encompassed within my academics – which is something that I enjoy. This has led me to have many chances outside of school to being a leader and taking the initiative – opportunities my involvement in (but not limited to), Parkview Chapter of National Honor Society, Student Council (STUCCO), Leadership in 4H, etc…). “Schooling is not meant to derive motivation and hard work from out of a student’s mind, rather its existence.” The concept of education is meant to build up a society, not to tear it down.

What is the best place you ever traveled to?

Africa is a wonder. The most memorable place that I visited was a safari area called the Maasai Mara, and it is found to the West of Nairobi – the capital city. It is special to see the Big Five out in their natural habitats – not in zoos and cages. With a mass of territory covering nearly 600 square miles, the Maasai Mara National Reserve is well among the largest conservancy in all the African continent.

What is your favorite quote?

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose” -Jim Elliot
My favorite quote is not one that was declared by a celebrity in fame, a president invoked, or a nation ruled. This, rather, was told by an American missionary who was poor and lowly – known by most as a martyr for the Christan Faith. His name was Jim Elliot – he was killed in Ecuador by an Auca tribe on January 8, 1956.

If money were no issue, what would you do with your time?

If money were no issue, I would travel and visit many more countries. I would rather live in the country and get to know the local culture, than have the luxuries of a tourist and know nothing. It would be my goal to start an organization that gives resources and educational tools to areas and nations that need help. And if money was not limited to its purposes, there would be much more that would be able to be fulfilled and offered to those in need.

Employee Spotlight: Jayden Herrig

Jayden Herrig is the Branch Manager of Dubuque Operations for Westphal & Company. Jayden has been with the company for 15 years. Now let’s take some time to learn more about Jayden!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

  • I Volunteer as a coach for several youth sports programs.
  • Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs fan
  • I enjoy spending time with my wife and five children.

What was your first job?

  • Apprentice electrician. My job first was at the Julien Dubuque hotel renovation. My duties were helping JW’s on a daily basis and keeping the jobsite clean.

What did your journey into working at Westphal & Co. look like?

  • I’ve been with Westphal & Company for 15 years.
  • Started my apprenticeship in 2008
  • Became a journeyman electrician in 2013
  • Foreman for Westphal from 2013-2016
  • Foreman to Project manager Sept 2016 – Jan 2023
  • Branch manager Dubuque Operation Jan 2023 – Present

What do you like most about your job?

  • Working through challenges with our customers and giving them the best result at the end of a project. Every day brings a new challenge, new technology is evolving in this trade every day.

Employee Spotlight: Katie Rossman

Katie Rossman is an Administrative Assistant for Westphal & Company. She has been with the company for 5 years. Now let’s take some time to learn more about Katie!

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I have three boys: a senior and a freshman at UW-Madison and a freshman in high school.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in the small town of Merrill, Wisconsin on a dairy farm.

What did your journey into working at Westphal & Co. look like?

I worked in retail for 18 years before working here. My previous employer shut down and I used that opportunity to change my career path, which led me to Westphal. I am grateful to have found a home here.

What do you like most about your job?

I love the variety my role offers. It allows me to be involved in multiple aspects of the business as well as interact with both office and field personnel.

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?

I love to be surrounded by people. Whether it be playing games, hanging out on a patio, or volunteering for a local non-profit, I really enjoy spending time with my friends.

What is the best place you ever traveled to?

The best places I have traveled to haven’t happened yet. Two months from now, I will be visiting Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, and Amsterdam on a cruise.

What is your favorite season?

My favorite season is NOT Winter (AKA sandal-season).

What is one thing that instantly makes your day better?

Coffee! If that doesn’t work, I like laughter.

What is your most prized possession?

The people I surround myself with. I have an amazing family and group of friends.