BROOKFIELD, Wis. (August 2026) – Retirement of longtime Safety Director and expanded safety team reinforce company's commitment to protecting employees and job sites
When Gwenn Soldner joined Lemberg Electric in 2015, he brought decades of experience as a master electrician, business owner and electrical inspector. Over the next 11 years, he helped shape the company's safety culture, developed programs that continue to guide employees today and left a lasting impact on the people he mentored.
As Soldner begins his retirement, Lemberg Electric is building on that foundation with an expanded safety team led by Senior Safety Specialist Josh Tonn and supported by newly hired Safety Specialist Kevin Kershasky.
"Gwenn has had a tremendous influence on my career," said Tonn. "He was instrumental in encouraging me to pursue my Master Electrician license, and over the years he continued to guide me through electrical inspection, code education and eventually into the safety profession at Lemberg. At each step, Gwenn challenged me to keep growing.
"What has always stood out to me is his ability to share his knowledge in a way that is practical, patient and easy to understand. He doesn't just teach rules—he helps people understand why those things matter and how they apply to the work we do every day,” Tonn added. “His experience speaks for itself, but it is his patience, positive attitude, knowledge and commitment to developing others that have made such a lasting impression. His influence has made me better both professionally and personally. As he retires, I hope he is proud of the legacy he has built and the number of people he has helped along the way."
Soldner's contributions extended far beyond the classroom. During his tenure, he helped lower Lemberg's recordable injury rate by more than 40 percent, implemented the company's first comprehensive safety manual and helped maintain an average Experience Modification Rate (MOD rate) of just under 0.9, outperforming the industry benchmark of 1.0. He also trained more than 130 NFPA 70E students and nearly 80 OSHA 30 students from both Lemberg and the Milwaukee Electrical JATC.
While Tonn acknowledges that no one person can replace Soldner's decades of knowledge, experience and relationships, he sees the transition as an opportunity to build on the strong foundation already in place. His top priorities include maintaining a visible presence in the field, expanding employee training, increasing jobsite involvement and continuing to foster a culture where employees feel comfortable raising concerns, asking questions and actively participating in safety initiatives.
A Master Electrician with more than 21 years of electrical and inspection experience, Tonn has served as Lemberg's Senior Safety Specialist, building relationships, conducting site visits and developing safety programs that help mitigate risk while supporting employees, customers and project partners. He is a licensed commercial and UDC Building/HVAC Inspector, Commercial Electrical Inspector, OSHA Authorized Construction Trainer and serves as vice chair of the Milwaukee NECA Safety Professionals group.
Looking ahead, Tonn also plans to expand the department's use of technology to improve safety documentation, communication, training and trend tracking, allowing the team to identify opportunities for additional support and respond more effectively. Lemberg will also continue investing in specialized training, hands-on learning opportunities and its annual Safety Expo, which connects employees with equipment manufacturers and safety professionals while reinforcing best practices in the field.
Supporting Tonn is newly hired Safety Specialist Kevin Kershasky, who brings more than eight years of experience in safety training, equipment operation and OSHA compliance. His background includes construction site safety consulting, operator training and certification management across industrial, institutional and data center projects.
"I am committed to fostering a proactive safety culture through clear instruction, certification management and hands-on leadership," said Kershasky. "My goal is to build a positive team safety culture where everyone watches out for one another and feels comfortable communicating openly."
Kershasky's certifications include Safety Trained Supervisor Construction (STSC) through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, OSHA 30 certification, First Aid/CPR, and instructor credentials for fall protection, earthmoving equipment, mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) and forklift operation.
In his new role, Kershasky will help expand the Safety Department's presence in the field by conducting jobsite visits, assisting with employee training, supporting equipment and fall protection programs, and helping project teams identify and address potential hazards. He is also working toward becoming an OSHA-authorized trainer, which will expand Lemberg's ability to provide OSHA training directly to employees and create additional opportunities for professional development.
Together, Tonn and Kershasky will continue advancing Lemberg's commitment to safety through education, jobsite support and continuous improvement.
"Safety at Lemberg is not limited to one department or one individual," said Tonn. "It's a shared responsibility that requires participation from leadership, project management, supervision and every employee in the field. With Kevin joining the team, we're well positioned to build on the strong foundation Gwenn created, strengthen our safety programs and continue providing the high level of service our employees and customers expect."
Lemberg is an employee-owned company known for its comprehensive benefits and commitment to employee growth. To learn more about other available positions, visit www.lembergelectric.com/careers.