Leadership
HAGEN HARKER
President
email Hagen | LinkedIn
Mid-States is on the move!
Benefitting our family culture, we became an employee-owned company in 2022. This structural change has allowed us to add two new plants, through acquisition, to the Mid-States product capabilities and plant capacities.
At our new Germantown, Wisconsin (International Concrete Products) plant, a highly skilled team of project managers, estimators, carpenters, finishers, quality personnel, safety personnel, schedulers and managers bring an enormous breadth of experience for delivering the highest in class pure architectural precast concrete products.
Additionally, our new plant in Browntown, Wisconsin beings added capacity for hollow core and prestressed beam and floor systems (podiums) as well as the added product line for double tees, which are ubiquitous in parking decks and can provide a specialized floor system for our commercial structures. The team at out Browntown location has a love for precast concrete stemming 20 plus years, a young, vibrant group that is up for any precast concrete challenge.
A huge thank you to our customers for trusting us with your past, present, and future building projects. Please know the Mid-States team has never been better positioned with product choice, design capabilities and production capacity to deliver on on your future projects. We all are grateful for your business!
Ona personal note, I am and always will be a God-fearing man who places my beautiful wife Jane, and our two boys, Charles and William, at the precipice of all I do and am. Love you guys!
CHARLES HARKER
Chairman Emeritus
JEREMY OLIVOTTI
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
Accomplishments
My greatest blessing was marrying my amazing wife. Over 29 years later I’m so grateful she said yes. We have two amazing daughters and we are having a blast cheering on their success.
At Mid-States I get to work with some of the most incredibly talented people and together we build some great buildings where people live, work, learn, and play. Every project has its own story, but the most special ones to me are because of the people we build them for and with. Getting to work with our customers to help them accomplish their project goals is very rewarding. Knowing they trust us with the projects that are so important to them is something we do not take lightly.
Starting my career at Mid-States on our installation crew, one of the biggest accomplishments is that Jaron and I worked together and did not kill each other.
Extracurricular
My wife and I enjoy leading a small group from our church. Grateful that I have been able to help teach a leadership course at Mid-States. One of my favorite verses is Joshua 1:9. Still living in 2016, man I wish my Cubs were good again.
Off the Clock
Favorite place in the world is sitting on the back deck with my wife and a good whiskey with some music in the background. Greatest movie franchise: Rocky (this is a fact and not open for debate). Braveheart is up there, too. One of the best ways to spend an early morning: on a paddle board on Lake Geneva when the water is like glass. We usually take our dog which ends with us falling off the boards. A coffee and a good book is a close second. We also have a wood burning sauna (pronounced SOW-na) and enjoy it a few times a week.
Secret Life
Harrison Ford went to my grandfather’s house in Upper Michigan for an authentic Finnish sauna. That’s right, Han Solo/Indiana Jones.
JARON COMBS
Vice President of Manufacturing and Construction
Accomplishments
Raising three amazing children into responsible, contributing, independent adults with my amazing wife. All three are in college, with our oldest graduating Spring of 2025.
Working with Craftsman with Character this year was extremely rewarding, watching the kids grow and gain a sense of direction for their lives. Community partners were amazing; didn’t have a single partner company say “no” when asked to participate.
Extracurricular
Town of Beloit PFC, Planning Commission and Board of Review. Combs & Father.
Off the Clock
Family vacations, pickleball, and continuing to enjoy the empty-nester lifestyle for at least nine months of the year, which includes vacations without the kiddos!
Secret Life
Wife and I enjoy tent camping, walking around Lake Geneva, and going to stockcar races at Jefferson, Madison International, and Dells Speedway.
MICHAEL MCNETT
Chief Information Officer
Accomplishments
I’ve celebrated over 20 years of marriage with my incredible wife. Together we have raised two awesome children. My oldest has a career in emergency services and my youngest is off to college. I’ve had the honor of being part of Team Mid-States for nine years. I’m truly blessed to be able to work with such amazing people.
Off the Clock
I like to plan crazy adventures full of Type II fun. We’ve ended up in some awesome places like the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, The Prince of Whales Hotel, or the mayor’s house in Han Sur Neid, France. I’ve also slept in a farmer’s field, sandbars on the Wisconsin River, and an off-grid cabin in Alaska. There is no better way to feel alive than going into the cold, dark wilderness during the winter to camp under a tarp while your friends fight over how to make fire.
Secret Life
I won an Apple Pie Contest seven years ago. They haven’t had the contest since, so I’m the Reigning Apple Pie Contest Champion for the past seven years.
Here is an alfredo sauce recipe that may change your life. Step 1. Whisk together over medium heat: 4 tablespoons of butter, 3 tablespoons of flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of pepper. Step 2. Pour in 2 cups of milk. Whisk. Don’t stop whisking. Step 3. Add ½ cup of parmesan cheese. Then, add some more parmesan cheese because you are from WI and ½ cup isn’t enough. Don’t stop whisking. Step 4. When it thickens up, pour over some noodles. Step 5. Eat way too much because it’s the best thing you’ve ever had.
I devote a lot of my time outside of work as President of my local squirrel observation group. As the only active member I have yet to observe any squirrels ☹.
I delivered pizzas when I was in college, so if my wife complains about my driving I remind her that I used to be a professional.
I’m a big fan of the Oxford Comma.
I type two spaces after a period. Haters gonna hate.
BOB MACDOUGALL
Vice President of Finance
Accomplishments
By far, my greatest accomplishments have been my marriage of 15+ years to my best friend and beautiful wife, Ereka, and together raising our four amazing children. Following would be graduating with honors (Cum Laude) from Upper Iowa University in 2011 with a BASc degree, majoring in Accounting, and advancing my career over the years which was made possible only by the grace of God and a few people He has placed in ,y life who have given me mentorship and opportunities to which I am forever grateful.
Extracurricular
In the summer and fall, I help coach my youngest son’s baseball teams. As a father of four, that’s about all the extracurricular time I get.
Off the Clock
In my spare time I enjoy fishing with my oldest son, Madden; shopping local department stores for the latest yard inflatables with my middle son, Grayson; playing baseball in the yard with my youngest son, Bowen; and touring our backyard chickens and garden with my daughter, Ellie. I also enjoy vacationing and traveling across the country in our motorhome with my family, golfing, hiking, hunting, fishing, woodworking, kayaking, and trail riding our side-by-side.
Secret Life
I’ve always been enthralled with airplanes since I was a little kid and have always wanted to get my pilots license, but I’m too afraid I’ll crash.
MATTHEW KEITH
Director of Preconstruction
Accomplishments
My greatest accomplishment is marrying my beautiful wife, Amanda. Together we have three wonderful children all with vastly different interests. Our oldest son (8) believes he is destined to play for the Brewers, our daughter (6) believes she is a Disney princess, and our youngest son (2) you can find on any John Deere tractor.
Extracurricular
I spend my spring and summer coaching my son’s baseball teams, along with leading our small town’s baseball organization. Also, a devoted sports fan. I love the Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, and Brewers.
Off the Clock
Off the clock, I love supporting my children in their interests. As a family, we love to spend time outdoors whether it be on a lake, in the woods, or on the side by side.
Secret Life
Sports principles/predictions to live by:
· Michael Jordan = G.O.A.T.
· The 2018 Chicago Bears should have won the Super Bowl.
· Caleb Williams is a future MVP.
HANNAH MARTENSEN
Director of Human Resources
Accomplishments
Growing my family with my high school crush (AKA husband) has been my greatest accomplishment. We welcomed our daughter in 2022 and our son in 2024. Transitioning from wife, to mom, to working mom has been a great challenge, and I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity to come to work every day, contribute to an amazing team at Mid-States, and support my family.
Off the Clock
I’m never really off the clock anymore -- #momlife! I love spending time with my family and our huge extended family. I have a golden retriever, Orla, who I’m out playing fetch with almost every night.
Secret Life
Growing up, I was a competitive Scottish Highland Dancer. My dad played the bagpipes and we performed around town in what we called “The Bob and Hannah Show.”