Abacus Architects Appoints New C-Suite Leadership at Milwaukee + Sheboygan Offices

Milwaukee’s Eric Halbur to Succeed Robert Heimerl, Abacus Architect President Since 2003 SHEBOYGAN, Wis. (Sept. 10, 2024) – Abacus Architects, Inc. announces a new leadership team led by newly appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, Eric Halbur, based at the firm’s Milwaukee office. Halbur succeeds registered architect Robert Heimerl who served as president since the company’s founding in 2003. A complete list of appointments for the management team at Abacus Architects includes:

• • Eric Halbur, President + Chief Executive Officer (Milwaukee)
• • Paul Mentink, Vice President + Chief Operating Officer (Sheboygan)
• • Joel Van Ess, Treasurer + Chief Financial Officer (Sheboygan)
• • David Van Dixhorn, Chief Development Officer (Sheboygan)

Joining Abacus Architects more than 11 years ago to lead the Milwaukee office, Halbur was onboarded as an architectural designer and project manager in 2013 and promoted to principal in 2017. In his new role, Halbur is responsible for the overall leadership and strategic growth of the firm.  “I am extremely blessed and grateful to the founders of Abacus, and for their confidence in me to make sure we carry on their legacy,” says Halbur. “God willing, we will continue to grow our team, clients and communities we serve, developing relationships through the use of architecture. Having fun and building something bigger than ourselves…that’s what it’s all about.” He has a Bachelors of Science in Architectural Studies – University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (2006) and is Revit Certified. Halbur resides in Racine County and enjoys time spent with his wife and kids having fun, cooking and swimming. He loves working on cars with hopes to race someday. The firm was intentionally formatted for successions giving existing and future associates the opportunity of possible ownership. Robert Heimerl is one of four founding members of Abacus Architects, along with Kurt Davis, Mentink, and Van Ess.  “I co-founded Abacus Architects with a vision of creating a team-focused firm that prioritizes strong client and team relationships over individual profit. I wanted to ensure a good transition of leadership and ownership,” says Heimerl, now focused on design and business development. “I’m unsure if I will ever fully retire, I’m looking forward to this next chapter. The future of our firm looks bright with Eric as the new president; he’s been an integral piece to our current success. I’m excited to be a part of the changes while passing the torch, so to speak, to someone I know is as passionate about our firm as I am.”  In addition to Halbur, Paul Mentink, registered architect and principal, is now Vice President and Chief Operations Officer (COO). “This whole transition process has gone really well,” says Mentink. “There is a renewed energy and excitement in the company. We spent the time to put together a vision, and the employees have really gotten behind it. We have an awesome team, and I feel like we now have the people in place to make growth a priority, without sacrificing our commitment to our clients.” Principal and professional civil engineer, Joel Van Ess, now serves as Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). “We have been extremely blessed over the past 20 years, and I’m eager to see what the Lord has planned moving forward,” says Van Ess. “Eric is a great leader who understands our priorities. I’m very excited about the future of our firm and inspired to help him, and our team, any way I can.” Van Dixhorn leads the firm as Chief Development Officer (CDO). Joining the team in April, he comes to Abacus with over 20 years of real estate and development experience. Already making an impact, Van Dixhorn is helping revenue increase in the short time he’s been onboard.  “I have a passion for making things better and look forward to building upon the great foundation our founders established over the past 20 years,” says Van Dixhorn. “I’m excited and honored to be part of the new leadership team and believe the best is yet to come.” This reorganization provides the necessary structure for the firm to achieve their desired growth. Since its inception, Abacus Architects has been dedicated to offering personalized, hands-on support to clients. Focus will be on expanding the two primary offices in Sheboygan and Milwaukee, continuing to fortify the ability to effectively serve communities on a local and national level.  ABOUT ABACUS ARCHITECTS Now in its 21st year, Abacus Architects, Inc. is a full-service firm deeply committed to enriching clients’ lives through the practice of architecture. The team applies expertise in architecture, civil engineering, interior design, consulting, facility and site studies, and master planning to help clients maximize their success. Considerable experience in designing for a wide range of market sectors – including single and multifamily residential, education, senior living, healthcare, municipal, corporate, hospitality, retail, manufacturing, religious, and civic – provides clients with the specialization they require.  At Abacus Architects, the foremost concern is to enhance relationships. Believing architecture should serve the people who inhabit the places created, not the other way around. Abacus Architects practices Relational Architecture: the development and design of buildings that enable true connection with valued clients. PRIMARY LOCATIONS Sheboygan 1135A Michigan Ave., Sheboygan, WI 53081 | 920 452‑4444 Milwaukee 640 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave., Suite 210, Milwaukee, WI 53203 | 920 452‑4444 ONLINE + SOCIAL MEDIA Website: abacusarchitects.net LinkedIn: @abacus-architects-inc Facebook: @abacusarchitectsinc  Instagram: @abacusarchitectsinc YouTube: @abacusarchitectsinc PHOTOS:  Dropbox folder Profile Photo Credit: Peter Hernandez CONTACT For more information, photos and to schedule interviews, contact: Beth O’Reilly, Public Relations Specialist and Owner of O’Reilly Public Relations at bethoreillypr@gmail.com | 920.889.0818

Abacus featured on the WFRV OurTown Morning Show!

We had so much fun being a part of Green Bay's WFRV Local 5 morning show, OurTown. We think interior designer, Anne Blanke, and project architect, Paul Mentink, did a great job promoting our firm in the video. The live broadcast took place at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, along Manitowoc's beautiful riverfront, on July 1st, 2022. #relationalarchitecture #wisconsinarchitect #manitowocarchitect #wfrvourtown #ourtownmanitowoc

Sheboygan Christian School Campus nearing completion

Sheboygan contractors build home addition for Salchert family

While editing our website, our original post regarding this project came up. A little more digging, and we were able to locate a wonderful writeup from the Sheboygan Press (read on). It's now been a few years since we broke ground, but that doesn't diminish the amount of respect we have for this family. We will forever be humbled by their depth of selflessness and ability to love. This is truly what #relationalarchitecture means.

Cori Salchert and her family captured headlines last year after USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin introduced the world to the family. Since then, Salchert and husband Mark have been invited to share their story through countless news outlets, television stations and a two-page spread in People magazine. Their tale has been translated into dozens of languages and run in newspapers abroad.

The Salcherts have fostered six "hospice babies," or infants who had a life-limiting diagnosis and whose parents had given up guardianship because of the situation. In the last several years, the family has fostered two babies in this situation and adopted a son, Charlie, in 2014. The family is currently caring for Charlie and fostering a 14-year-old boy.

“We live with the ever-present reality that at any point in time he could die, but in the meantime he is doing exceptionally well," Cori Salchert said of 3-year-old Charlie. "The neurologist said he’s thriving and it’s obvious that he’s loved. We’ll just keep on doing what we’re doing. We are prepared now, thanks to the generosity of those in the community, to do this for years yet if that’s what we’re asked to do.”

Up until now, Charlie's hospital bed was located in the family's living room, a space that became cramped due to the size of the bed and medical equipment.

Charlie, whose life expectancy doctors initially only measured in months, is now three years old under Salchert's care. Due to hypoxic ischemic brain encephalopathy, Charlie experiences neurological impairments as a result of a lack of oxygen. He is dependent on a ventilator and tube-feeding, among other medical challenges.

Salchert's story caught the attention of Jay Christopher of Christopher Farm and Gardens, who said he was touched and was inspired to help.

"I felt what they were doing was so out of the ordinary of what most people would do,” Christopher said. “After seeing what was going on, with the hospital bed in the middle of the room, Charlie really needed a room of his own with all the medical supplies.”

Christopher, with the help of local contractors and architects, created an addition to the Salchert's home with a space just for Charlie. The cozy new room has multiple windows and skylights to let light in — and to allow Charlie to see the outdoors.

“Charlie spends a lot of time on his back, so they put those in so he could see the sunshine, the clouds, and the snow falling,” Cori said. “It really is a beautiful setup.”

Christopher helped fund the project, while many local contractors volunteered their time. Abacus Architects, Joseph Schmitt & Sons Construction, and Oostburg Concrete all contributed to make the room a reality.

“It’s wonderful what they do," Steve Schmitt, of Joseph Schmitt & Sons Construction, said of the family. "There are infants that families cannot take care of, and there are angels out there like this who are willing to help.”

The addition also included an accessibility ramp and an accessibility shower.

Staff at the local Home Depot also contributed to the project by building a custom bed frame, shaped like a ship, to put around Charlie's hospital bed, which ties into the nautical theme of the room.

“It is still Charlie’s hospital bed. It’s not that we don’t keep track of the fact that he’s terminal, we just choose not have that be our sole focus,” Cori said.

The centerpiece of the room is a piece of stained glass created by Abler Art Glass in Kiel. Cori said the piece, depicting a lighthouse at the seaside, is representative of the family's faith.

“The reason there is a stained glass window was because I had said that our hearts were like stained glass windows, all the more beautiful having been broken,” she said. “Because you absolutely get your heart broken providing hospice care for children, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not a good thing to do.”