Executive Vice President & Partner at Friede & Associates, Scott Truehl is a seasoned construction executive with a proven track record of guiding clients through the complexities of building or renovating facilities. His expertise spans negotiation, budgeting, value engineering, municipal approvals, and marketing, underpinned by a strong entrepreneurial spirit.
Scott Truehl professional journey, now in its third phase, began in 1981 as the Governmental Affairs Director for the Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce. For six years, he facilitated business interactions with state and local governments in Madison, Wisconsin, gaining invaluable insights into the regulatory challenges businesses face. This role enabled him to connect with numerous business leaders, learning the keys to their success and representing their interests on various business issues. His next career move came when Wisconsin Power & Light (now Alliant Energy) recruited him as an Economic Development Specialist. Concurrently, he served two terms on the Madison City Council, representing his neighborhood. During his eight years at WP&L, Scott Truehl held multiple roles, balancing field operations with economic and business development. It was here that he first encountered the construction industry, collaborating with contractors to create proposals for businesses relocating to Wisconsin. This experience sparked his interest in construction, leading to his transition into the industry in the mid-1990s.
Friede & Associates, a fourth-generation family-run business, attracted Scott Truehl with its vision of transforming from a traditional “hard bid plan and spec” contractor to a negotiated design-build firm. This approach allowed the firm to offer comprehensive services beyond construction, including land acquisition, financing, negotiating incentives, identifying tenants, and sourcing building owners for clients. Scott’s extensive background enabled him to provide a holistic suite of services to businesses unfamiliar with the building process.
Scott Truehl partner invited him to buy into the firm, marking the beginning of his nearly 30-year career in contracting. His journey from governmental affairs to economic development and finally to construction exemplifies a dynamic and impactful career dedicated to helping businesses navigate their growth and building aspirations.
Expertise in Simplifying Complex Processes
Regarding skills in negotiating, budgeting, value engineering, municipal approvals, and marketing, Scott acknowledges that while his clients are often skilled in their fields, most have never navigated the construction process before. They are usually concerned about the amount of time required to achieve their desired outcomes. To alleviate this burden, Scott and his team guide clients through the entire process. This includes finding architects and designers who can create buildings within their budgets, introducing them to financial institutions specializing in new developments, and negotiating tax incremental financing incentives that clients might not have discovered on their own. Scott leverages a lifetime of learning and experience to help ensure the success of his clients’ projects.
Long-Term Client Relationships
Friede & Associates actively pursues clients rather than mere projects. According to Scott, the firm seeks long-term partnerships with businesses that could potentially utilize their services beyond initial engagements. These clients encompass various sectors, such as hospitality, where Friede & Associates undertakes diverse tasks ranging from minor renovations to significant expansions or the development of new attractions. Additionally, their client base extends to real estate brokers and bankers who appreciate their expertise and often recommend them to other businesses. This endorsement stems from their reputation for completing projects competently and handling client interactions with utmost professionalism.
Path to Success Through Authenticity
Before Scott joined Friede & Associates, he had already held several management positions and had begun developing his interactive style. He was fortunate to have become one of the youngest individuals to hold various roles throughout his career, supervising team members much older than him and collaborating with highly successful businessmen and women during his tenure at the Chamber.
