Celebrating 50 Nifty Years & Counting
Part 1 · Building a Sustainable Foundation and New Approach to Planning
As a kid growing up in Wisconsin's Racine County, Teska Founder, Robert B. Teska, wasn’t necessarily thinking about planning or being a planner. In fact, Bob’s professional sights were set on being a highway engineer. And it was in that coursework, while pursuing a degree in civil engineering at UW-Madison in the 1960s, that he learned of an elective class in city planning. “I thought it sounded interesting. I took it, and I just got hooked on it.” Always being open to looking beyond the well-engineered road before him, Bob began his journey in planning.
After working at Barton & Aschman for a time, Bob felt there was a need to work more closely with individual communities, to bring them new ideas based on their specific needs, and to help them look beyond the obvious path. That spark of innovation was the first of many at Teska Associates, Inc. Over time, more people, more mentors, and more experiences helped to feed the flame of innovation and support bright futures for our public and private clients and communities.
“What we have been doing is more than a business, it is a commitment to future generations; to our environment; and our clients -- the benefits of which transcend a single assignment, time and place.”
- Bob Teska
Leadership, Vision & Values
Bob established Teska in 1975 on a foundation of teamwork, creativity, and trust. Fast forward through decades of planning and placemaking adventures and our team still rocks those same original values. While tools and tech have evolved, our collaborative spirit and commitment to community and client partnerships remains unwavering. While Bob Teska has embraced a well-deserved retirement, his multidisciplinary approach and sustainable model of leadership continues on to this day.
Robert B. Teska established Teska Associates, Inc. in 1975 with a vision to bring together a creative, multidisciplinary team of trusted professionals committed to providing innovative approaches to planning and design.
Trust
Perhaps the difference between a job and a career is the feeling it generates at the start and end of each day. Bob came to planning and made it his career. Perhaps, more importantly, he has helped many others make it their career, too; helped them to develop, practice, and live by the values of teamwork, trust, and innovation, which are so much a part of him and his work.
"It's about teamwork and trust... you have to trust in yourself and trust in your team."
- Robert B. Teska, Founder
As sayings go... "the beat goes on," and "pay it forward."
Teska’s long-term success is rooted in our values and our people. Leadership pursues work that aligns with our team's passions and strengths so we can work together, plan together, and learn together to provide the best possible support to our clients and communities.
Click on next article to learn about the culture and leadership of Teska.