Hunzinger Estimator Named Wisconsin Industry Leader
Marc Gilman has successfully led a return to competitive hard bidding for the Wisconsin-based construction firm.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Construction
The Daily Reporter has named Marc Gilman of Hunzinger Construction as Estimator of the Year. Gilman is credited with guiding his firm back into the competitive hard bid market during his three-year tenure.
Why it matters
The recognition highlights the strategic shift for mid-market construction firms moving back toward aggressive bid-based growth. This approach requires precise estimating controls to secure complex public and private infrastructure contracts.
Marc Gilman has directed Hunzinger Construction's estimating team for 3 years, leveraging a 24-year total industry career. His leadership has directly supported the acquisition of major regional contracts including the Rubicon Site Improvements and the Oconomowoc Well No. 8 project.
The players
Marc Gilman
Director of estimating at Hunzinger Construction with 24 years of experience in the construction industry.
Hunzinger Construction
A Wisconsin-based construction firm managing large-scale infrastructure, utility, and commercial projects.
The Daily Reporter
A publication covering the Wisconsin construction and legal industries.
The details
Gilman led the strategic pivot to re-enter competitive hard bidding after Hunzinger Construction operated without that focus for several years. This operational shift required the rebuilding of internal bid evaluation processes to ensure accuracy when pursuing public and private utility infrastructure, such as the New West Bend Service Center and Charter Steel projects.
Timeline
October 8, 2026: The Daily Reporter announced the award.
2023-2026: Gilman led the hard bid estimating division at Hunzinger.
2002-2024: Gilman worked at Joseph J. Henderson & Son Inc.
Market Landscape
This pivot reflects a broader industry pattern where firms oscillate between negotiated contracts and competitive bidding to optimize market share. The return to hard-bid procurement is often a response to changing public and private sector demand for lower-cost project delivery.
Owners and operators should review their own internal estimating capacity to determine if their firm is optimized for the current demand for competitive public bids. Ensure your team’s bid-evaluation process is calibrated to handle the specific requirements of recent infrastructure project types.
The takeaway
The successful return to a hard bid model relies on balancing aggressive pricing with strict risk management controls in the estimating division. Operators should monitor their bidding hit-rates to ensure that rapid entry into new competitive markets does not compromise project margin.
Further reading
For broader trends impacting local project delivery, see Construction.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Daily Reporter - WI Construction News & Bids.
