Chippewa Valley Times

Market & Johnson, a construction management and general contracting firm based in Eau Claire, has been recognized as the University of Wisconsin-Stout's 2025 Employer of the Year. This accolade is attributed to their extensive collaboration with UW-Stout, which includes hiring students for co-ops and internships, participating in Construction Career Fairs, and supporting the Women in Construction campus organization.

Bryan Barts, UW-Stout’s Career Services director, noted that Market & Johnson "recognizes the value of a polytechnic education," which aligns with their business objectives. Since its establishment in 1948, Market & Johnson has expanded its operations across nine states with a workforce of 350 employees.

Heather Kretz from Market & Johnson highlighted that last summer, ten out of twelve interns were from UW-Stout. This year, seven out of eleven interns are also from the university. While most are pursuing construction management degrees, some are exploring careers in human resources and information technology.

Kevin Renley, President and CEO of Market & Johnson, accepted the award at a ceremony on May 20 during the 2025 Polytechnic Summit hosted by UW-Stout. He was accompanied by other company leaders and interns at this event.

Justin Geissler from Market & Johnson emphasized their preference for hiring UW-Stout students due to their strong work ethic. Geissler himself is an alumnus of UW-Stout and serves on the Construction Industry Advisory Committee for the university's construction management program.

Tyler Swanson, another UW-Stout graduate who now serves as Market & Johnson’s director of client and construction services, spoke about how internships often lead to job offers within the company. Swanson remarked on his pride regarding their recognition as Employer of the Year.

The partnership between Market & Johnson and UW-Stout extends beyond internships. The company participates in career fairs and collaborates with student organizations like Women in Construction to host events featuring women professionals discussing industry challenges.

Market & Johnson has also contributed to campus projects such as the renovation of South Hall in 2023. Their efforts have helped create opportunities for student interns directly involved in these projects.

The Employer of the Year award acknowledges companies that excel in collaborating with UW-Stout’s Career Services to support student development through various programs. Past recipients include Menards, Fastenal, Heartland Business Systems, and Greenheck Group.

UW-Stout's cooperative education and internship program partners with over 600 companies annually to prepare students for careers post-graduation. The university boasts a high employment rate among graduates along with competitive starting salaries. Additionally, annual career conferences attract numerous employers seeking talent from across the United States.