The places where people learn, receive medical care and build their futures shape the strength of a community. Jack Zwicker helps bring those places to life through construction projects that improve access to essential services, create lasting community assets and connect the next generation with career opportunities. As vice president of business development for Miron Construction’s Madison office, Zwicker builds relationships and trust with clients and helps bring projects to life across the region. His work spans education, health care, retail and government, with a focus on understanding what people and communities need from the spaces they use.
Zwicker credits UW-Stout Polytechnic with giving him the foundation to approach construction with that perspective. He grew up in Appleton and applied to only one university: Stout, where he was accepted into the construction management program.
The curriculum’s breadth stood out. Students learned key project management tools like scheduling and estimating, studied mechanical, electrical and structural systems and gained hands-on experience with fundamentals such as framing, pouring concrete and laying masonry. Instructors also helped connect classroom learning with the construction industry. Rick Larabee’s wood structures class made a particular impression on Zwicker because of the instructor’s investment in students, while program leader Mike Bowman brought industry professionals to campus and maintained strong connections with employers.
Zwicker also gained practical experience working as an intern at Harvey Hall in 2015 while attending UW-Stout Polytechnic. That experience, along with his summer internships, prepared him to enter the workforce with confidence.
“The curriculum for construction was so comprehensive that when I was in the role as an intern and employee, I could do things more quickly because we had covered that ground already,” he said. “Not a huge learning gap to be bridged.”
He received a job offer from Miron six months before graduation and joined the company after earning his bachelor’s degree in construction management in May 2016. His first full-time assignment was the chemistry and biology building at UW-Stevens Point. Within two years, he was managing projects independently, working across Wisconsin and eventually traveling to Michigan to help build hospitals. His experience representing Miron in project proposals and interviews helped open the door to business development. He moved into his current role as vice president of business development for the Madison location in January 2024.
A cancer center project was one that made a lasting impression. Miron connected two existing buildings to consolidate cancer services in one place, creating a more comprehensive approach to cancer care. The project also incorporated natural light and courtyards to improve the patient experience during therapies and treatments. Spaces no longer needed for cancer treatment could be repurposed for other medical services.
“It was a much more comprehensive look at cancer care, and a far better experience for patients,” Zwicker said.
He finds similar meaning in projects that benefit the communities where they are built. School construction is especially rewarding because he gets to see students begin using new lockers, gyms and other spaces on opening day, knowing those facilities will support families for years. He also helped build two hospitals, including a rural facility that replaced an aging hospital and expanded access to health care for the surrounding community.
Those experiences inform how he approaches business development today. The goal is not simply to deliver a building, but to understand how it will be used and what it can contribute over time. That means balancing a project’s budget with the needs of the people who will occupy it.
Beyond individual projects, Zwicker invests in creating opportunities for the next generation. He recently joined the board of Kids Building Wisconsin, an annual event that introduces children to construction through hands-on activities and opportunities to explore equipment and meet industry professionals. The free event has expanded beyond Madison into the Twin Cities, helping more young people discover the range of careers available in the industry.
“The best part of it is exposure and showing kids that there are so many avenues to go down in the construction industry,” he said.
He also serves on the workforce board for the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County, which connects underserved youth with training and employment opportunities. At Miron, he supports efforts to introduce high school students to the industry through youth apprenticeships, helping them build skills and establish career pathways before graduation.
For Zwicker, that work reflects the kind of impact he hopes to have throughout his career.
“I want my legacy to be that I contributed to the community, that I was known for showing up, being involved and bringing people together,” he said. “One of the most rewarding parts of my work has been collaborating with others toward a common goal. That used to mean building a building. Now, it’s about pursuing projects and working with owners to bring their dreams to life.”
