Steve Freckmann Retiring After 34 Years as Dawes GM

Dec. 12, 2023 — Steve Freckmann is retiring at the end of this month after 45 years in the lifting industry and 34 years as general manager of Dawes Rigging & Crane Rental, a member of the ALL Family of Companies.

Freckmann is a crane-business lifer.

As a pre-teen, he worked part time in the shop and yard at Dawes, of which his father, Tom, was part owner.

In the late 1970s, the ALL Family of Companies bought Dawes, with Tom Freckmann remaining as Dawes’ general manager.

Steve succeeded his dad as general manager in 1989.

Throughout his career, Steve Freckmann has been active and visible in the local and national business communities. “I’m proud of my involvement serving on the board of directors of the Association of General Contractors of Greater Milwaukee as well as various committees,” said Freckmann. “Also, I’m grateful for the time I’ve spent serving on the various committees of the Specialized Carriers & Rigging Association.”

A longtime believer in the value of SC&RA, Freckmann served 15 years on many of its committees, including chairing the Crane & Rigging Group, and serving a three-year term on the board of directors.

He currently serves on the Crane & Rigging Group Labor Committee.

“Even though I’ll be departing my formal service in SC&RA, I’m pleased that ALL is still represented through the participation of Rick Mikut, ALL’s crawler crane division manager, and Derek Baumgartner, our counsel and director of risk management,” said Freckmann.

“The Freckmann name is legendary within the ALL Family,” said Michael L. Liptak, CEO and president of ALL. “Steve’s leadership has helped make Dawes synonymous with quality performance, integrity, and service. We wish him all the best as his decades with us come to a close.”

So, what does a man do after devoting his life to cranes?

For Freckmann, it will mean more time to bike, hike, and travel with his wife. There will even be some time in the winter months chasing great cross-country skiing weather in northern Wisconsin.

Continuing ALL’s legacy of promoting from within, Ryan Harrison, current branch manager of Dawes’ Madison, Wisconsin, branch and a 24-year ALL veteran, will succeed Freckmann as general manager.

For more information about ALL, visit https://www.allcrane.com/.

In Photo: The ALL Family of Companies’ Steve Freckmann receives SC&RA’s 2020 Pinnacle Award in recognition of his more than 15 years of leadership in the association.