Midwest People: Updates About Construction Professionals for May 2021
Martin “Marty” Ozinga III, chairman of Mokena, Ill.-based concrete supplier and construction consultant Ozinga Bros. Inc., died on April 26 at 71.
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of our dad, Marty Ozinga III,” said Ozinga Bros. CEO Marty Ozinga IV. “He passed away suddenly this morning at his home. Dad was loved by many, including his family, his co-workers, customers and friends in the community.”
Ozinga began working for Ozinga Bros. at age 15 as a $1-per-hour laborer in the company’s first yard in Evergreen Park, Ill. By 18, he was driving a ready-mix concrete truck for union wages while earning a degree in psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mich. He became general manager in 1973 at age 23 and in 1985, succeeded his father as president of the company.
Ozinga, along with his cousins Rich Ozinga and Jim Ozinga, led the business through a period of tremendous growth, including expansion into the downtown Chicago market where Ozinga Bros. supplied concrete for high-profile projects such as the construction of Guaranteed Rate Field, the renovation of Soldier Field and the Dan Ryan Expressway, for which the firm provided more than 250,000 cu yd of concrete. Through acquisition, Ozinga also expanded the company to much of the greater Chicago area and northwest Indiana. In 2012, Ozinga handed over the operations of the family business to his six sons and their cousin Jeff, representing the fourth generation of Ozinga ownership.
Ozinga Bros. currently has more than 2,000 workers, primarily in operations in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Florida.
Beth Melchi has joined the Boldt Co. of Appleton, Wis., as director of business development for the national health care sector. In her new role, Melchi will be responsible for building relationships with prospective and existing health care clients nationwide and developing new or enhanced opportunities for growth in this sector. Melchi comes to Boldt with more than 30 years of operational experience in health care, where she led complex construction projects for several major health care systems in Indiana.
Sam Kitchell has joined CRB in Kansas City, Mo., as senior vice president of emerging business. Kitchell will be responsible for identifying and positioning new food, beverage and pharmaceutical facility solutions that maximize client benefit. Kitchell has more than 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.
