Get to know the MPA Board
John Padberg
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always had an interest in old buildings and learning about how they were built and the stories they told, especially early American structures. I grew up in Northwest Indiana and studied Construction Management at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. After my time at Purdue, I began my career in Chicago. There I managed new construction, renovations, as well as restorations to existing buildings. Throughout my career in construction, I found the projects I enjoyed the most were the ones where new life was realized in an existing structure. These projects were the most challenging and most rewarding.
In 2015, my wife and I decided to relocate from Chicago to the Milwaukee area and I quickly fell in love with the unique architecture, the historic structures, and the close-knit community. I currently work for Berglund Construction where I manage the restoration of historic public and private structures in Milwaukee and across the state. My involvement in the MPA is a natural progression of my work to save and restore historic structures that impact our communities. I believe we are stewards to protect these structures for future generations.
In 2015, my wife and I decided to relocate from Chicago to the Milwaukee area and I quickly fell in love with the unique architecture, the historic structures, and the close-knit community. I currently work for Berglund Construction where I manage the restoration of historic public and private structures in Milwaukee and across the state. My involvement in the MPA is a natural progression of my work to save and restore historic structures that impact our communities. I believe we are stewards to protect these structures for future generations.
1. What three words best define you?
Hardworking, patient, and pragmatic.
2. What is your guiding principle?
Listening builds better relationships than talking.
3. What is your favorite book and movie?
Spaceballs. I don’t really have a favorite book, but a recent book I read was “how to read the constitution and why.”
4. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I play the saxophone.
5. What is your favorite free time activity?
Spending time with my family, traveling, hiking, and enjoying time up north on the lake.
6. What is one of your favorite places in Milwaukee? Outside of Milwaukee?
I love Lake Park and would spend so much time there when I lived in Milwaukee. Outside of Milwaukee, I love spending time in the northern region of Wisconsin and NE Minnesota.
7. If you could become a fictional character for one day, who would it be?
I'd have to say Indiana Jones.
8. What inspires you and why?
People who power through adversity to do great things.
9. What do you see as the future of historic preservation?
Expanding what we think of as historic places, especially in areas that are often overlooked.
10. Why should people support MPA?
There is a lot of work to do in Milwaukee to preserve our built heritage and we’re working to do just that.
Hardworking, patient, and pragmatic.
2. What is your guiding principle?
Listening builds better relationships than talking.
3. What is your favorite book and movie?
Spaceballs. I don’t really have a favorite book, but a recent book I read was “how to read the constitution and why.”
4. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I play the saxophone.
5. What is your favorite free time activity?
Spending time with my family, traveling, hiking, and enjoying time up north on the lake.
6. What is one of your favorite places in Milwaukee? Outside of Milwaukee?
I love Lake Park and would spend so much time there when I lived in Milwaukee. Outside of Milwaukee, I love spending time in the northern region of Wisconsin and NE Minnesota.
7. If you could become a fictional character for one day, who would it be?
I'd have to say Indiana Jones.
8. What inspires you and why?
People who power through adversity to do great things.
9. What do you see as the future of historic preservation?
Expanding what we think of as historic places, especially in areas that are often overlooked.
10. Why should people support MPA?
There is a lot of work to do in Milwaukee to preserve our built heritage and we’re working to do just that.
