ICS Chili Cook-Offs
Our annual chili cook-offs at the Minneapolis and Duluth offices were sizzling successes! The competition was fierce, from bold flavors to creative twists, and every dish brought something unique to the table. Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their delicious chili creations!
Congratulations to our Minneapolis Chili Champions: Kristin Duerr for “Most Flavor,” Tara Hendrickson for “Most Creative,” Chris Ziemer for “Most Traditional,” and Lindsay Sather for “Best Overall.”
Our Duluth team brought the heat with a flavorful lineup of entries at this year’s chili cook-off! Congratulations to Dave Vig for taking home “Best Chili” and to McKenzie Fossell for winning “Best Cornbread.” Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun and made this event a tasty celebration of culinary creativity!
Team Updates & New Hires
We’re excited to share some employee updates at ICS! Tara Hendrickson transitioned from intern to full-time Project Engineer, while Scott Litchy moved into the role of Job Cost Accountant after serving as a Staff Accountant. Matt Hughes was promoted to Project Manager after his time as a Project Engineer, and Nathan Norton has transitioned to a Business Development Specialist from his previous role as Project Executive.
We’re also thrilled to welcome four new team members to our Media, PA office! Christina Ingraham joins us as a Senior Energy Analyst, Frank Martino as a Site Superintendent, Craig Babroff as a Project Manager, and Daniel Kobrya as a Senior Project Manager.
Congratulations to our team for their new roles, and a warm welcome to our newest hires!
Conference Highlights
ICS has been busy on the trade show circuit, connecting with clients, industry leaders, and professionals. We were proud to return as a sponsor and exhibitor at the MSBA Leadership Conference, where we engaged with school board members and superintendents from across the state. Our team also had a great time at the Duluth and St. Louis County at the Capitol Days, where over 500 advocates from Northeastern Minnesota gathered to engage with state leaders on critical local issues.
The Executive Training Institute (ETI) Conference & Law Enforcement Expo provided an incredible opportunity to connect with over 400 law enforcement leaders for leadership development and collaboration. Additionally, we attended the SWWC Conference, which hosts events dedicated to enriching education and professional development in southwest and west-central Minnesota.
Our Pennsylvania office also had the opportunity to attend PASBO’s Annual Conference in Pennsylvania, where we joined school business officials, administrators, and industry experts to discuss best practices in school finance, facilities management, and operations. We’re grateful for the chance to participate in these impactful events and look forward to more opportunities to connect!
Minnehaha Elementary Ribbon-Cutting Celebration
Lake Superior Public School District recently celebrated the completion of its exciting renovations to Minnehaha Elementary School with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. This project was part of a $44.1 million voter-approved bond referendum in November 2021, which aimed to enhance educational spaces and modernize infrastructure across the district.
Minnehaha Elementary School now features all-new classrooms, a library, a music room, and a playground, along with expansions to the cafeteria and other key areas. Safety was also a priority, with the addition of a new main office and a secure entryway. Behind the scenes, critical upgrades were made to the roof and HVAC and fire suppression systems. It was a fantastic celebration with students, staff, and teachers coming together to mark this milestone.
Our team—Ekalath Sophaphanh, Jeff Schiltz, Derek Anderson, and Jason Johnson—were proud to be part of this special day!
Looking Toward Summer Projects
As we inch closer to summer, our implementation team will be managing approximately 78 projects across Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Here’s a quick snapshot of some of our upcoming projects!
Stay tuned for more updates on these and other exciting projects by visiting our experience page!
Northland Learning Center
One of our summer projects is the Northland Learning Center, a cutting-edge educational facility designed specifically for students with Level 4 Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD). This project will feature a 34,122-square-foot space that prioritizes safety, accessibility, and therapeutic learning.
The facility will include 17 specialized classrooms, therapy rooms, sensory spaces, student kitchens, a library, a multipurpose gym, and a collaborative administrative area. The design balances natural lighting, security, and durability, ensuring a structured yet flexible learning environment. This project will serve as a vital resource for the community, providing an innovative and inclusive space for Kindergarten-Adult learners.
KMS Referendum Project
Another project breaking ground this summer is the building-bond referendum for KMS Public Schools, which brings critical additions and renovations to both the elementary and secondary schools, enhancing safety, functionality, and long-term sustainability.
Key highlights include:
- Elementary School: An 8,000-square-foot five-classroom addition and storm shelter, restroom renovations, a new maintenance shed and expanded parking.
- Secondary School: A 10,335-square-foot science classrooms and storm shelter with CTE, locker room expansions, office and media center renovations, updated FACS classrooms, and improvements to the auditorium, loading dock, and receiving areas.