Jill Didier
Vice president, Milwaukee business development
Miron Construction Co.
Employees: 1,200
miron-construction.com
In January, Miron Construction Co. Inc. hired Jill Didier as vice president of business development for Milwaukee. Didier has held leadership roles in the private and public sectors, serving as mayor of Wauwatosa from April 2008 to January 2012. She resigned a few months shy of the conclusion of her four-year term after being appointed by Milwaukee County as economic development coordinator, a role she held for almost two years. BizTimes reporter Corrinne Hess recently spoke with Didier about her new job with Miron, a Neenah-based general contractor with an office in Wauwatosa, where Didier is based.
Credit Lila Aryan Photography
How did you end up working in the construction industry?
“People kept telling me I should work in construction, and I couldn’t figure out why. But now that I am with Miron and in this particular role, I can see it incorporates everything I have done in my career, from marketing and communications, to understanding the economic development efforts of a municipality and the permitting process. This has really given me a chance to make my career come full circle and I love having an opportunity to work with a company that is still family-owned after 100 years.”
How do you see your role with Miron?
“My job is more than just getting businesses, it is an opportunity to have Miron become part of the community and establish who they are. If you ask people in the community to name the top three construction companies, Miron might not be the first to come to mind. And yet, we are one of the largest general contractors in the state. Part of my goal is to help bring Miron’s name to the community, but ultimately, find an opportunity for us to do what we love and help someone’s dream come true.”
How did you become involved in politics?
“I was the head of marketing and communications for Stewart Associates Inc., a company that sold financial-related products to credit unions. Then I became a stay-at-home mom. One day at a block party, someone said I should run for alderman. At first I laughed, but then I ran for the 4th district seat and won. I’m a big believer that you can’t complain or be upset about a process unless you are willing to make that process better. So midway through my term, I ran for mayor and was successful.”
What do you think about all of the changes Wauwatosa has experienced during the past 10 years?
“Every common council, every city worker that has ever had a touchpoint makes it what it is today. No one person can say, ‘I did that’ or ‘I am responsible.’ In Wauwatosa, there are some of the most dedicated city workers, from our police and fire to the people who work at City Hall. When I see what is going on and the growth of the Village, I’m very proud that it has become a destination, whether it is the sports at Hart Park, or the restaurants, or the ability to shop for unique products you can’t find anywhere else.”
What are you most proud of?
“Recently, when I see people I haven’t seen in a while, they thank me for my efforts and for offering an open mind and an open door to hear issues and problems. If that is my legacy, then I can be proud of that.”
What about your time with the county, working on economic development: What are you most proud of?
“One of the unique projects we worked on establishing was the revolving loan fund (the $1 million fund allows Milwaukee County companies to receive financing of 40 percent of the total project cost, or up to $250,000). Oftentimes, when an entrepreneur or developer comes to the city or county, there is just a little gap. I’m hopeful this revolving loan fund bridges this gap.”
