As fall arrives, it’s amazing how quickly summer has passed. The changing leaves and cooler mornings remind us that football season is in full swing. For those who don’t know, football is a passion of mine. I’ve spent 20 seasons coaching, from youth programs to being a varsity assistant at Columbus High School and over 30 years in the construction industry.

Through my experiences, I have noticed the parallels between football and construction are striking. As a General Contractor, we are not just managing budgets and studying the plans, we are coaching teams. Like a football coach, we must guide the crews on the jobsite, making tough decisions under pressure, and keeping everyone focused on the end goal. We are responsible for strategy, morale, coordination and proper execution. Every role matters, and when one person falters, the whole team feels the impact. Both football and construction require proper preparation, teamwork, a commitment to doing your part, attention to detail, and strong leadership.

Strong leadership is critical in both fields. Today, stepping into leadership roles is increasingly challenging due to the daunting fear of judgment and failure. One of the tools we use here at MCC is the book The Twin Thieves by Lucas Jadin and Steve Jones, which explores how teams can confront those fears and grow as leaders. Coincidentally, in the book the Twin Thieves are the fear of judgement and the fear of failure.  Every new employee receives a copy, and we often discuss its lessons during company gatherings and growth days to reinforce leadership skills.

I’m proud of our MCC team and their continuous growth in their leadership roles. As mentioned in the previous newsletter, construction can be tough, and it takes a special person to lead in this industry. We’re fortunate to have many qualified strong leaders on our team and I thank them for all they do to make MCC stronger every day.

Hopefully, your favorite team has a successful season.  Go MCC and Go Cardinals!

Chris Herschleb, President

Featured Project: Hampton Inn & Suites

The City of DeForest, WI, population 10,811, will have a brand-new hotel for its visitors by mid-2026. MCC broke ground this summer on a Hampton Inn & Suites hotel. The 82-room hotel will feature a swimming pool, patio area, and outdoor firepit, in addition to the standard Hampton Inn amenities.

A unique aspect of the project is a lengthy extension of the sanitary main (820 feet), according to Ken Hanson, vice president of construction.

The hotel is scheduled to be finished and ready for occupancy by mid-summer 2026. MCC is collaborating with Vierbicher and Blowfish Architects for the design and build of the Hampton Inn.

Building Our Future with EOS: A New Foundation for Growth

Maple Creek Construction recently implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a comprehensive business management framework designed to help growing companies achieve their vision with greater clarity and efficiency. Developed by Gino Wickman and detailed in his book “Traction,” EOS provides a complete set of simple, practical tools that help leadership teams get what they want from their business. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, EOS offers a holistic system that addresses six key components of any business: Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction.

What EOS Brings to Maple Creek Construction?

EOS gives our team clear vision alignment so everyone—from project managers to field crews—knows where we’re headed and how they contribute. It brings structured quarterly and annual planning, weekly “Level 10” meetings to keep priorities on track, and a scorecard system that measures what matters most. The framework streamlines issue-solving, defines consistent processes, and strengthens accountability through clear roles and expectations—all while keeping our core values at the center.

For our team, this means clearer communication, predictable workflows, and more growth opportunities. For our clients, it means stronger project management, consistent service, and faster issue resolution. As EOS rolls out company-wide, expect smoother coordination between office and field, transparent progress tracking, and sharper focus on the metrics that drive customer satisfaction and company growth. EOS isn’t just a system—it’s our roadmap to building a stronger Maple Creek Construction for generations to come.

Partner Profile
Jenny Fesenmaier, Pablo Group

When Pablo Group began its first ground-up hotel in Eau Claire, WI, Director of Research and Development Jenny Fesenmaier knew they needed guidance. She brought on MCC as the owner’s representative for the SpringHill Suites project.
“MCC was a great help in working with contractors to develop schedules—everything in construction relies on a tightly managed schedule—and their focus on construction management was super helpful,” she said. The hotel opened in April and quickly became a key addition to a downtown that had long lacked visitor housing.

A native of Eau Claire, Fesenmaier is a Michigan Tech civil engineering graduate, Hall of Fame basketball player, and the school’s all-time scoring leader. After working as an engineer on Boston’s “Big Dig,” she returned to the Midwest, joining Ayers Associates before moving to Pablo Group in 2019.

At Pablo Group, she applies her engineering background to downtown revitalization projects ranging from offices and hotels to multifamily housing. “The philosophy is, we want the downtown to thrive and to have people live and play here,” she said. Currently, she is leading development of a restaurant near the Marriott and restoring a historic building for retail use—all while raising four kids, three of whom attend UW–Madison.

Employee Spotlight:

Tarek Herschleb, Construction Superintendent

Where were you born and where did you grow up?

Born in Madison, Grew up in Columbus WI

What is your work background?

6 years USAF. Inflight Refueling

When did you start working at MCC?

The Fall of 2023.

What do you like most about working at MCC?

Being able to travel for work, and every day is something interesting when it comes to problem-solving.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Restore classic trucks, cooking, photography, and visiting all the national parks

Most interesting thing that’s ever happened to you?

Waking up to a bull moose staring at me from a few feet away while camping near Spokane, Washington.

Favorite food?

It’s a tie between dry-aged steaks and sushi.

What is your dream vacation?

Being anywhere in the mountains out West

Favorite place to visit?

The Northwoods of Wisconsin

What is something that very few people know about you?

I’ve been to 12 countries and 37 states and still love to see new places.

MCC Office Updates

Although we spend much of our time in the field, managing the builds of new hotels, restaurants, multifamily complexes and other projects, the time we spend in the office is critical. Having a nice, respectable, well-equipped workplace is an important reflection of our core values. We’ve recently updated the office to provide our people a comfortable place to work, while also celebrating our heritage. Some of the things we’ve added:

• Significantly upgraded our technology and A/V throughout the office
• Created a “Values” wall to consistently remind us of our purpose
• Built a collage display of all of our projects, to share our work with visitors
• New paint throughout, as well as white boards to capture ideas, and a unique privacy screen embossed with the MCC logo
• A 5-foot by 14-foot monument sign at the building’s entrance

We’d love to give you a tour the next time you’re near Columbus, WI!

Welcome to Maple Creek Construction

Please join us in welcoming new members to the MCC team!

• Corey Sass, Project Estimator – Corey will be supporting our project management team and helping us deliver accurate, efficient project bids.

• Dena Pfaff, Project Coordinator – Dena will be assisting with project organization and communication, ensuring our teams and clients stay connected and on track.

• Cody Olson, Project Superintendent – Cody is currently leading Phase II of My Home Estates in Reedsburg and brings strong field leadership to our projects.

We’re excited to have each of them on board as we continue building with pride and purpose.

MCC’s Safety Training Highlights

As autumn settles across the Midwest, Maple Creek Construction continues our unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards on every project. While the changing leaves create beautiful scenery, this season brings unique challenges that require heightened awareness and preparation from our entire team.

Seasonal Hazards and Precautions