STANLEY R. SUGDEN, P.E.

President

Why did you decide to become an engineer?

I’ve always had an innate interest in fixing and building things. I grew up on a farm, so we were constantly working on building or fixing something, and that environment really piqued my interest in engineering.  I love watching construction and seeing earthwork in progress. And like most engineers, when it came to school, I enjoyed math and science more than other subjects.

How long have you been with R/M?

Since 1986, so just about 34 years. I started as a summer intern during my Junior year of college, and then came back full time after I finished school. There were only 30 or so employees working for R/M at that time. It was a relatively small office, but people were dedicated, worked hard, and usually stuck around for a long time.

What is the best part of your job?

As an engineer, I’ve always liked getting to do so many different things on different projects. There are always new challenges that come up in our line of work, and it’s very satisfying to find ways to solve those challenges.

Much of my time is now spent fulfilling my duties as President, and it’s amazing to watch the people I’ve hired or worked with since they were brand new engineers evolve and develop into their roles; seeing them learn the tricks of the trade and really be successful in handling their own projects. And since I’ve been here a long time now, I’ve had the privilege of watching many individuals grow into great engineers.

What do you think differentiates R/M from other firms?

I think the longevity of the people that work here has a major impact on the company. The way we do the work has evolved over time, but much of the work is the same, and because we have so many long-term employees, we’re able to offer our clients a deep understanding and perspective. I think that’s a very special, unique thing. And since we became 100% employee owned, our staff operates under a common interest. It’s really a family business, and we all own the business together. We have an obligation to our clients and to each other.

If you could go back in time and give your 18-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Take more time to relax and enjoy yourself. When I was young, I pushed really hard. I’d tell myself it’s okay to slow down a little bit.

What are you up to when you’re not at work?

I like to tinker around the house and fix things. I’m always working on a project. We also spend quite a bit of time at our vacation home up north. In the winter I do a lot of snowmobiling, and in the summer, we are up at the lake with friends and family.

What is your favorite food right now?

That’s tough. I like a lot of different foods! Right now, I’m eating a lot of fruit… but my favorite food is probably a gyro. Oakland Gyros in Milwaukee is great.

What do you want your clients to know about R/M?

I always want my clients to know that whenever you’re talking to an employee at Ruekert & Mielke, you’re talking to an owner of the company. If for some reason I’m not available, no matter who you’re working with, you’re dealing with a company owner. We are not a huge company, but we’re also not small. We have a lot of flexibility, but also a vast knowledge base, and our team is dedicated to helping our clients and communities.