Mar 27, 2015 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2014
George L. Hess Jr. graduated from Berlin High School in 1955 and served four years in the United States Air Force, later receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree from UW-Oshkosh.
From 1960 to 1962 he worked in the electronics field in Buffalo N. Y. and then in Oak Creek, WI on the Modular Guidance System in the U.S. Space Program. In 1962 he joined the C.A. Chier Sand Co. as a partner with his father-in-law, Cliff Chier and brother-in-law, Russell Chier. In 1979, he and Russ co-founded the family owned business now known as Badger Mining Corp., an industrial silica sand mining firm.
George became a licensed pilot in 1982 and a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assoc. (AOPA). He authored Tales of the Bearpaw Bear Hunters, and also did oil and acrylic painting. He was a member of several service organizations and served on Boards of Directors, including Badger Mining Corp.
With his and Chier’s leadership, Badger Mining annually won national awards and recognition for their corporate governance and for their employment ambiance and professionalism and exceptional treatment of their employees. “I have been fortunate to work with outstanding associates. The T.E.A.M. (Together Employees and Management) working environment has made our family business successful and a fun place to work. The power of team allows every associate to experience the feeling of ownership,” stated George on his nomination form.
You don’t have to be smart to surround yourself with associates that are smarter than you. But it is a key ingredient of success.
Mar 27, 2015 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2014
Russ Chier learned the meaning of hard work and responsibility by working in the family business, C. A. Chier Sand Co. owned by his father, Clifford Chier. After graduating from Berlin High School in 1955 he went into the business full time learning all aspects of the operation. By the early 1960s he became a partner along with his brother-in-law, George Hess. When Cliff Chier retired the two men incorporated the company (Chier Sand) and in 1979 co-founded Badger Mining Corporation taking it from a local and then regional industrial sand company to an international organization. Through their leadership the company has won a number of awards and other recognition.
Their hard work, initiative and vision grew this company to the highly respected and significant employer that it is today. The company’s value statement: “We are committee to environmental responsibility, health and wellness, quality, safety, and integrity, while providing a rewarding and enjoyable place to work,” summarizes the pair’s leadership and ethical values.
Russ Chier, George Hess, and Badger Mining Corp. are “the role model” for exceptional community service. Russ’ generous spirit helped foster the employee attitude of helpfulness that is still prevalent in the company today.
He was a very kind and generous man who touched the lives of many people.
Mar 27, 2015 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2013
Alfred James Treder, and family moved to Berlin when he was 5 years old. He has worked various aspects of space and missile Guidance & Control systems for over 50 years, from conceptual design through development and flight. Since the early 1990s he has been a key player in the specification and development of the Guidance, Navigation and Control subsystem for the United State’s part of the International Space Station. His primary responsibility was making sure the Station met its pointing accuracy requirements.
Treder graduated from Marquette University in 1963 with a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. His first exposure to space projects was with Gemini manned capsule avionics testing. He later was involved in the Apollo avionics design. In 1976 he was on the flight team for the Viking Mars program which did the first successful Mars landings. His job with Boeing in the Seattle area introduced him to the International Space Station. He became Senior Principal Engineer and formed the ISS Pointing Accuracy Assessment Team in late 1993. After retiring from Boeing in 2000 he continued to be involved with the space station as a contract engineer, a job he held until 2011.
Treder has written multiple articles for a variety of publications on his work in the U.S. Space Program. He is an Associate Fellow of AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) and a longtime member of the AIAA Astrodynamics Technical Committee.
With his second retirement he is now spending time with his other passion, photography, as a professional artistic photographer. His work has been shown in art shows and has been published in major magazines.
One of his favorite sayings is: Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves; some turn up their noses, and some don’t turn up.
Mar 27, 2015 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2013
All three men, father and two sons attended Berlin schools. They were involved in the C.A. Peck Hardware Co. and Peck’s Hardware Manufacturing Co. Fred drew the patterns for the first rural mailboxes which are still used today. Their involvement in the hardware business led them to help organize the Wisconsin Retail Hardware Association and the National Hardware Association. C.A. and later Louis, served as President for both organizations and had their offices on the second floor of their building on the southwest corner of Pearl and Huron Sts. in Berlin.
Because of the difficulty in finding fire insurance for their businesses, the hardware men of the state formed the Wisconsin Dealers Mutual Fire Insurance Co. C. A. served as the first secretary. This insurance company is today known as Sentry Insurance Co.
Through the years the Pecks stood for what was best for Berlin and worked for its good and that of its people.
Mar 27, 2015 | Inspiration Wall Honorees
Nominated 2013
Judy LaBuda graduated from Berlin high School in 1975. She went on to receive a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Education from University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she graduated with Distinction and a Masters Degree in Behavioral Disabilities – Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology also from UW-M. From 1981 to 1989, Labuda worked as a rehabilitation counselor, rehabilitation supervisor and later regional director for IntraCorp.
She earned a third degree, Juris Doctorate (law) from the University of Colorado School of Law, ranking fifth in the class and earned numerous awards for her academic performance such as Order of the COIF (top 10% of class); Colorado Trial Lawyers Association Advanced Trial Advocacy Award; Legal Aid & Defender Outstanding Student Attorney; American Jurisprudence Award in Wills & Trusts; Civil Procedure at CU Law School; Supervisor of the Year – IntraCorp.
She became a trial attorney and owner of LaBuda & Associates, P.C., practicing in State and Federal Court from 1992 to 2010, with emphasis on employment, family and disability law. In June of 2010 she became Senior Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado. In July of 2012 she was sworn in as District Court Judge in the 20th Judicial District at the Colorado Judicial Branch.
Continuing a life-long dedication to volunteerism and service started even before high school, Judy developed a non-profit organization to help maintain and fund orphanages in Northern Thailand. She stated she has embraced Margaret Mead’s quote: “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world; indeed it is the only that that ever has.” Her community service has brought other awards starting with the Wisconsin Governor’s Award for Community Service in 1976.
Her life passions are family, friends, the law, traveling (having visited 48 states and 30 countries) and trying to ensure we live in a just world.
Her life motto is: Take risks, make good choices.
George L. Hess Jr. graduated from Berlin High School in 1955 and served four years in the United States Air Force, later receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree from UW-Oshkosh.
