Milhouse Engineering & Construction

Antonio is a highly-skilled engineer that has spent over 27 years working at a senior level within the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District in Chicago. His most recent position within the MWRD has been as Principal Electrical Engineer, DCS/SCADA Systems Manager. Antonio managed a Process Control Engineering team responsible for Distributed Control (DCS) and SCADA Systems that control sewage treatment plants, outlying pump stations, gate structures, and waterway elevations throughout the metropolitan area.

Antonio holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Dan is a highly respected gas utility expert with over 38 years of experience, most recently as Director of Engineering for Nicor Gas, where he managed a staff of 50 and an annual capital budget exceeding $700 million. Dan’s industry experience encompasses engineering, transmission, storage, system planning, field operations, system operations, supply and customer service.

Fred Owens, S.E., P.E., Senior Vice President of our Civil, Transportation, Architecture and Heavy Industry Sections. As a licensed structural engineer with 25 years of diverse experience, Fred has led projects such as the 700,000 SF pickling line and cold rolling mill for ThyssenKrupp Steel in Calvert Alabama, the 600,000 SF hot strip mill for Allegheny Ludlum in Brackenridge Pennsylvania, the Chicago Midway International Airport Consolidated Rental Car Facility, the Torrence Avenue Vertical Lift bridge and many projects in the combustible dust, fossil power, steel, paper and building products industries.

Fred is involved in all aspects of project engineering from inspections and project development through construction management.  He enjoys bringing creative solutions to challenging situations. Fred’s first job after college was working in the Fossil Engineering and Construction Department for Commonwealth Edison. His experience as an end user has shaped his approach to his customers as a consulting engineer who understands the needs of the customer and the limitations they face.

Fred earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his Master of Science Degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology.  He has written and presented several papers on combustible dust, rapid rotary car dumper replacement and buried pipelines.  An avid marathon runner and former Boy Scout leader, Fred also serves on his town’s Board of Zoning Appeals, Plan Commission and Plat Committee.

Joseph Zurad is President of Engineering and Construction for Milhouse and its subsidiaries, with over 40 years of extensive technical and managerial experience in construction and design of sophisticated electrical and control systems. His expertise includes project planning and staff management in the areas of electrical, mechanical, process control, civil, structural, and architectural projects.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the following locations: Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C.

Myesha is a performance-driven and results-oriented professional with over 13 years of experience within the engineering and construction industries. She has a proven track record of efficiently managing all aspects of a project from design through construction and a dynamic ability to work with multiple project teams simultaneously. Her design projects have exceeded $40 million, and construction projects exceeded $450 million. Myesha’s skills extend to marketing, business development and corporate strategic planning.

Robert. A. Smith, P.E., Senior Vice President, leads our expanded Electrical Power Group.

Bob is well known in the electrical power delivery industry,  a proven team builder and highly sought after instructor and presenter. Bob brings more than 20 years of engineering and leadership experience to the firm, as well as an expertise in power delivery via substations, grid connections, and transmission.

Robert holds Professional Engineering licenses in more than nine states.

Wilbur C. Milhouse III is a recognized and accomplished entrepreneur. He is the Founder and Chairman/CEO of Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc. (parent company), established in 2001. Wilbur has been instrumental in the growth of his six companies. Concurrently, Wilbur heads two subsidiary companies of the Milhouse parent company: Milhouse Construction, Inc. and Milhouse Snow, Inc.

Wilbur leads the company goals to provide excellent service through quality work performed with integrity. His beliefs are based on the confidence of hiring great people, challenging them to excel, and maintaining a laser focus on the needs of the clients. Wilbur brings over 24 years of diversified experience in civil and structural engineering.

Wilbur is an alumnus of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Structural Engineering. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the following locations: Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and Wisconsin.

Dolla Crater is President of Business Operations for Milhouse Engineering & Construction, Inc. and its subsidiary, bringing more than 30 years of financial, marketing, and operations management expertise to the company. Dolla joined Milhouse in 2007 as Marketing Director and has since served in roles of increasing responsibility, helping to navigate the company growth from 30 employees at the time to more than 200 professionals today.

As President of Business Operations, Dolla is responsible for delivering core business functions including administration, asset management, human resources, information technology, project development marketing, and legal services through demonstrated best business practices that deliver effective and efficient results.

Prior to joining Milhouse, Dolla’s career focus encompassed product marketing and product operations while with Motorola, Inc. While there, she won multiple  and recognitions, including the company’s “Total Customer Satisfaction” and “Go for Gold Peak Performer” . In 1996, she received a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Agency for her innovative product packaging design.

As a highly-sought speaker, Illinois American Water, the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, featured Dolla in a corporate video addressing diversity. She has participated in several focus groups to promote excellence and inclusion throughout the industry.

She serves on the Board of Directors for two not-for-profit organizations: Milhouse Charities and The Goat Foundation. Today, she is playing it forward, utilizing her business acumen and experience to give back to the community of which she is a by-product. Her unique background provides a perspective to understand the needs and challenges of that community.

Dolla has a Master of Business Administration degree from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

James Fifer, Vice President of Project Development, propels business development wih more than 24 years of diversified engineering, construction, and management experience.

Joining Milhouse in 2010 as a Senior Project Manager, James led the company’s growth into the construction industry managing the redevelopment of Pullman Park on Chicago’s south side. In 2015, James became the director of the newly formed Project Development Group, responsible for all business development, marketing, and strategy for the firm.

James holds a Master of Business Administration from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.