About Us
OUR EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP TEAM
President / Founder
Brad Barke
President / Founder
More than 40 years of experience in project management, estimating, and the design-build of food service, distribution, and processing facilities. Responsible for managing day-to-day operations, business development, and supporting client relationships. Additional responsibilities include managing technical content of standards, quality control, and assurance programs.
Robin Wolff Director of Engineering
Over 25 years working as an electrical engineer providing estimating, design, and construction management in industrial, processing, institutional, and commercial markets. Design experience includes medium and low voltage power distribution, lighting, fire alarm, process control, security, and communications systems.
Mike Schwartz
V.P. Construction Operations
Over 35 years of experience constructing food distribution and processing facilities. An educational background includes Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering with a focus on construction. Responsible for overseeing the Operations department and on-site Construction Management staff.
Bobby Degregorio
V.P. Business Development
Twenty-five years of leadership and marketing experience with a background that includes generating new business, further fostering of current relationships, reviewing customer needs and market trends to achieve continued growth and reach sales goals. A former business leader and proud Veteran Air Force Commander with an extensive background in logistics and mission support.
Timothy Gibbons
V.P. Design
Over 25 years of experience in the design and construction of food facilities. Presently, leading the design department and lead stamping architect for ESI Design Services. Primary duties consist of main point of contact for clients, assisting with site selection, due diligence, code research, facility master planning, schematic and preliminary design, construction documents, permitting acquisition, LEED certification, consulting and engineering coordination for cold storage and dry warehouse facilities and food processing facilities.
Mark Livesay
V.P. Automated Warehousing
Mark has more than 30 years of experience in the design and construction of low temperature and ambient environments with expertise in applications using Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS). Mark studied Mechanical Engineering at Penn State University and has 3 U.S. patents relating to AS/RS applications.
Donald Olsen
V.P. Design Operations
More than 25-years of experience in design operations, code research, client contact, schematic and preliminary design, permit acquisition, facility master, consulting and engineering of construction documents, development of master specifications and office standards, and scheduling of design personnel. Extensive working knowledge of AutoCAD and numerous Microsoft programs including computer system operations, configuration and networking.
Andrew Nelson
V.P. Business Development
Andy has fifteen years of experience in the design and construction of food facilities. He has formed partnerships with meat processors, cold storage and foodservice operators. He is responsible for business development and client support for continued growth of the ESI Group brand.
Since its inception, ESI Group has maintained an experienced staff of 70 professionals to design and build 500+ projects for the food industry. “I view our longevity as an advantage to our clients because there isn’t much in the industry we haven’t seen. When a client has another project, we’re the company they want back,” Brad Barke.
A Brief History of ESI Group:
ESI Group founded as Environmental Structures. A specialty Design-Build firm for food distribution, processing, and automated facilities.
Became incorporated. A team of seasoned veterans Brad Barke, Jeff Bertelson, John Dohogne and Terry Fredericksen with low temperature backgrounds joined as partners.
A corporate location is established. An 8-acre parcel in Hartland, Wisconsin surrounded by woods in the northwestern corner of Waukesha County that locals commonly refer to as “Lake Country.” Lake recreation is a way of life here while land-lubbers enjoy activities from hiking to golfing.
Setting strategic alliance partnerships. ESI partners with both regional and national food industry leaders and obtains licensing in 48 states.
Begins Ten Consecutive Years of Awards. ESI continuously achieves Projects of Distinction Awards from ABC as well as numerous Safety related awards. In 2017, a Greenfield Kitchen Commissary project design and constructed for Caito Foods (SpartanNash) received the Manufacturing Innovator of the Year award from ProFood World Magazine.
ESI Group completes its largest project to date. This 902,000 square foot food distribution center was designed and constructed in just 14 months! Click the link to learn more about how this massive project was successfully completed on time and within budget for WinCo Foods.
ESI Celebrates 30 Years
When ESI turned a quarter century in 2016, Jeff Bertelson and Terry Fredericksen retired. Brad Barke and John Dohogne will carry on the legacy they helped build by using the latest technologies available for the design and construction industry, investing in employees who want to broaden their industry knowledge, and most importantly continue providing a high level of service to our clients.
“We want to make sure when a client has another project, we’re the company they want back,” says Barke
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