Notable Women in Engineering: Sarah Frecska

Class of 2022

Sarah Frecska, principal at Milwaukee-based Pierce Engineers, recently served as the structural engineer on Timber Lofts, Milwaukee’s first cross-laminated timber building. 

Timber Lofts was an adaptive re-use of an 1890s-era industrial loft building. Completed in 2020, the project was recognized by the 2021 U.S. Wood Design award, The Daily Reporter Top Projects of 2020 and the 2021 Mayor’s Design Award. 

Throughout that project and others, Frecska mentored her design colleagues at Pierce. Her designs and leadership have helped to develop the competencies of the team and elevate Pierce Engineers, said Pierce colleague Kylee Spillane.

Frecska is also active within the education community, serving as a senior design project juror at the Milwaukee School of Engineering and providing structural advising for the IP-BIM Studio for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning. She is a member of the Architectural Drafting/Construction Technology Advisory Committee at Waukesha County Technical College and has also held various leadership roles for the Structural Engineers Association of Wisconsin.