GROTH Design Group announces new owner

The founder of Cedarburg-based architecture firm GROTH Design Group will pass the baton to three partners after founding the firm 30 years ago.

Founder Mike Groth will hand over ownership to partners Peter Schneider, Mike McGraw and Peter Damsgaard, company officials announced. Groth founded the company in 1994, and the announcement coincides with the company’s 30th anniversary.

The firm employs 38 people, including 15 licensed architects, and has offices in Cedarburg, Milwaukee and Appleton. GDG has designed projects such as the Journey21 Enrichment Center, Gunderson Tri-County Hospital and the new monastery for the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi.

GDG began by designing religious projects and has expanded to education, health care, retirement homes, corporate and community projects throughout Wisconsin, Schneider said. Much of the firm’s work is built on client relationships, he added.

“What drew all three of us to GROTH Design Group was the standard that Mike set and the foundation that he laid,” Schneider said. “Mike has always been interested in people and making sure that we take care of both those on our team and our clients, and allowing the company to grow organically from there. Our philosophy of listening, leading and serving is something that all four of us believe in, and we strive to live by that philosophy as we move forward,” he added.

Schneider said that all sectors of the GDG market will have the opportunity to strengthen in the future. He added that GDG wants to continue to build on the success of the Appleton office, which opened two years ago.
“Our backlog is full, and I think that has to do with market diversification,” Schneider said. “The markets we operate in are resilient and haven’t been hit too hard by election years or the bleak financial outlook. We’re still hopeful for the rest of 2024, 2025 and beyond,” he added.

Recent clients include Marquette University, Children’s Wisconsin, Sixteenth Street Clinic, Journey21, Racine Unified School District, Annex Wealth Management, Lakeland Community Church and others, officials said. GDG has designed projects throughout the Midwest and in Florida, Arizona and New Mexico.

“Peter, Mike and Peter have been integral to the growth and transformation of the company,” Groth said in a statement. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work with a team that truly embodies our mission and leave the company in the hands of exceptional leaders.”