PPC Foundation, philanthropic vehicle for the PieperPower family of companies, invests $2 million to expand WCTC's Applied AI Lab

“Our investment in the Applied AI Lab reflects our commitment to advancing innovation and shaping the future of our industry in a way that serves people first.” -- Mike Tillman, president and chief operating officer of MP Systems, Inc., sister company to PieperPower, and current president of the PPC Foundation.

PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025) – Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) and the WCTC Foundation, Inc. announced a significant $2 million donation from the PPC Foundation, the philanthropic vehicle for the PieperPower family of companies, to substantially expand the College’s Applied AI Lab. This generous gift will help fund a second-story addition to the current facility and includes naming rights for Building Q, which houses the lab.

“This donation is going to change the pace of economic advancement at WCTC and the scale of transformation across the state of Wisconsin,” said Rich Barnhouse, Ph.D., president and CEO of WCTC. “This generous donation and partnership will shape the fate of business and industry for generations.”

WCTC’s Applied AI Lab is a state-of-the-art facility committed to accelerating economic growth through the development, application and implementation of artificial intelligence for existing businesses and startups in southeastern Wisconsin and beyond. The lab focuses on providing practical, hands-on education and business collaboration, with future plans to house WCTC’s existing and growing AI, tech and data-related academic programs.

PieperPower has long had connections to WCTC, regularly welcoming interns – many of whom have become dedicated, longtime employees – and participating in meet and greet events, open houses and other activities. PieperPower employees teach as adjunct faculty in the College’s Automation Systems Technology program, sharing their craft with the next generation of workers. Company representatives also serve on WCTC’s program advisory committees to help shape the curriculum and ensure what is being taught in the classroom reflects employers’ needs.

While these bonds remain solid, the company has been looking to strengthen its affiliation with the College, give back in an active and meaningful way, and invest in something tangible that will benefit students, the future workforce, PieperPower employees and the greater community.

“Our investment in the Applied AI Lab reflects our commitment to advancing innovation and shaping the future of our industry in a way that serves people first,” said Mike Tillman, president and chief operating officer of MP Systems, Inc., sister company to PieperPower, and current president of the PPC Foundation. “We believe meaningful progress is achieved through collaboration -- connecting education, enterprise and community to create lasting impact. By strengthening ties between students, industry and regional development, we’re helping to build both the talent and the technologies that will define tomorrow’s success."

Tillman stressed that while the company’s commitment to technology is vital, the commitment to people is paramount.

“We’re investing in the next generation not just as future professionals, but as future leaders,” he said. “And as artificial intelligence reshapes our world, we’re ensuring that human values —empathy, equity and service — remain at the center of that transformation."

WCTC began embracing artificial intelligence a few years ago, but the momentum has been powerful. On the academic side, WCTC launched two certificates in 2023, followed by the AI Specialist associate degree program in 2024 and the Manufacturing Integrated Engineering Technology associate degree program in 2025. On the business side, the Applied Al Lab officially opened in 2024. While the first floor is dedicated to business and industry, the second-floor expansion is planned to seamlessly integrate student education with the industry-related activities happening on the first floor. The upper level will include tech education classrooms and labs, collaborative workspaces, a “pitch pit” for presenting concepts and ideas, a student lounge and study rooms, and an exploration space.

Turning the vision for the expanded Applied AI Lab into a reality and fully funding that essential second-floor learning space for students has taken focused effort and partnership. The PPC Foundation’s involvement is central to this success: it immediately helps local companies gain efficiency with AI, while simultaneously funding the lab's addition to give students the crucial, hands-on experience they need for future success.

“We are deeply grateful to PPC Foundation for their leadership gift to the Applied AI Lab campaign. This pivotal contribution allows the project to move forward from vision to reality,” said Robyn Ludtke, executive director of the WCTC Foundation. “The campaign, one of the fastest in the WCTC Foundation’s history, is a true reflection of how our community rallies behind education, innovation and opportunity.”

About PPC Partners, Inc.

Founded in Milwaukee, PPC Partners, Inc. is parent company to a family of leaders in electrical, automation, energy delivery and mechanical contracting, dedicated to powering progress through innovation, integrity and expertise. Its companies include Pieper Electric, Inc. (PieperPower, est. 1947) and MP Systems, Inc. (est. 1998) in the Midwest, and MetroPower, Inc. (est. 1980) and CarolinaPower, Inc. (est. 2018) in the Southeast. Together, the PPC Partners family of companies is united by a shared commitment to safety, quality and service, building strong communities and sustainable growth across the regions they serve. The PPC Foundation exists to pass prosperity of the operating companies back to the communities in which they operate. www.ppcpartnersinc.com

About the WCTC Foundation, Inc.

WCTC Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, dedicated to securing and managing charitable resources to support WCTC's mission of educational excellence and workforce development. The work aims to enrich the quality of a WCTC education by promoting innovation, enthusiasm and collaboration.